WHEN A PASTOR RESIGNS (CHAPTER 3)

Last week, we explored reasons why a pastoral call comes to an end. This week, I'll begin sharing reasons why pastors resign. Let's examine four reasons today, and next time, we'll dive into additional factors.

1. Burnout

The Advanced English Dictionary defines burnout as "Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress." Overworking can lead to burnout, but it's essential to distinguish it from hard work. Some individuals are naturally hard workers, while others may push themselves too far, neglecting rest and leading to burnout.

Sadly, some churches place an enormous workload on their pastors, leaving them with little time for rest. Apart from preparing sermons, leading various ministries, and overseeing church activities pastors are given to many other responsibilities. This excessive burden can lead to physical and mental exhaustion.

Pastor D shared his experience of burnout, stating, "The work of church planting is very involving, especially when you don't have people to support you. This caused me to experience burnout, making it difficult to do the work I love."

Kwenda with his first mode of transport in Choma

Additionally, some pastors face situations with no leave days or sabbatical leave, leading to further exhaustion. Pastor B mentioned that after serving for several years without leave days, his body got weary, and he needed a break. However, his terms and conditions only allowed him to take a few days off, leaving him with no choice but to continue working and risk becoming ineffective or resign to get much-needed rest.

It's crucial to remember that pastors are human beings, not machines. They need rest and support to avoid burnout. Even machines break down, and vehicles need servicing after extensive use.

2. Persecution

Persecution can also lead to the end of a pastor's call in a particular area. While death eliminates the minister from Earth, persecution usually relocates the minister. In Acts 8:1-4, several people left Jerusalem due to persecution, but they didn't die. Instead, they relocated to serve in another area. Philip, for example, relocated to Samaria (Acts 8:4-5) and later to Caesarea (Acts 8:40).

Persecution can take various forms, including financial strain, verbal or written accusations, and human conflict. Pastor E shared his experience, saying, "The relationship between me and the elders had deteriorated beyond repair. This affected the church negatively. I felt it was time for me to leave for the sake of peace, so the church could move forward." 

3. Human Conflict

Conflict is often defined as the absence of peace, which can manifest in the heart or between individuals. Serving in a local church where there is no peace and ongoing conflict can be traumatic for pastors. The Bible provides an example of conflict between two godly men, Paul and Barnabas, in Acts 15:36-41. Despite their shared faith, they had a sharp disagreement that led to separation.

Paul and Barnabas's conflict demonstrates that even godly individuals can disagree. The scripture doesn't elaborate on the intensity of their argument, but it highlights the depth of their disagreement, leading to a separation. If Paul and Barnabas could part ways and serve in different locations, why would it be challenging for other pastors to separate from their churches due to conflict?

Conflict can arise in various forms, including doctrinal differences. When a church's leaders and pastor disagree on fundamental beliefs, it can create an insurmountable bond of contention. In such cases, the pastor may need to step down. Pastor E shared his experience, saying, "I differed with my elders, and after this, my doctrinal position changed concerning eldership polity...With this shift, I couldn't continue as a Minister in any Baptist Church."

This highlights that conflict can lead to a re-evaluation of beliefs and values, making it impossible for a pastor to continue serving in their current context.

4. Sin

God's call to ministry is a call to faithfulness, and pastors are stewards of God, managing His churches and representing Him in various ways. One essential aspect of this stewardship is maintaining high levels of holiness, as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:2, which states that an overseer must be "above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach."

The phrase "above reproach" emphasises the need for pastors to be spiritually and morally upright. However, if a pastor fails to meet this standard due to sin, they may be required to resign on moral grounds. This is because their actions have compromised their ability to represent God and lead the church effectively. Depending on the nature and severity of the sin, some churches may request their pastors to resign. This is not only to maintain the integrity of the church but also to ensure that the pastor can seek restoration and healing.

Resignation due to sin is a serious matter, and pastors must prioritise their spiritual and moral well-being to avoid compromising their ministry and relationship with God.

Stay tuned for the next instalment of our series on why pastors resign, coming on October 4th, 2024! We'll explore more reasons why pastors feel compelled to step down from their roles and examine the complex issues surrounding pastoral resignation. Don't miss it!

WHEN A PASTOR RESIGNS (CHAPTER 2)

 

    We established in chapter one that a calling is God's conviction upon a soul to take up a particular responsibility and that this calling can be personal. In this chapter, we'll explore how a calling can come to an end. The end of God's call upon a person can be necessitated by various events, and we'll examine why a pastoral call can come to an end.

Reasons for the end of a pastoral call:

1. Death

    One way God makes it clear that someone's calling has ended is when He calls them to glory. We see this in the examples of Stephen, Moses, the apostle James, and John the Baptist. In my lifetime, I've seen churches lose their pastors due to death. For instance, Pastor Michael Bwembya's passing in 2021 was a significant loss to the Reformed Baptist elders in Southern Province. Similarly, Pastor Kennedy Sunkutu's death in 2018 was a sorrowful situation. Time fails me to talk about Pastor Percy Chisenga and a Kenyan brother, John Akeyo. Death is a reality we cannot escape, and some pastoral callings will come to an end because of it. While the impact of a pastor's work can live on, there comes a time when he must breathe his last. The sooner believers accept this reality the better it will be.

2. Sickness

Kwenda attempting sign language with Mary

    Just like death, sickness can also bring an end to a pastoral call. Pastors are not immune to illnesses, and some may be forced to resign due to health issues. For example, vocal cord paralysis can make it difficult for pastors to preach and teach, which is their main task. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, this condition can be caused by various factors and may be permanent in some cases. Additionally, strokes, dementia, old age, and other illnesses can also impact a pastor's ability to continue serving. As believers, we must realize that our pastors can fall ill and may need to resign due to health reasons.

3.  Macedonian Call

    It's also important to note that a pastor's resignation could be God's call to serve in another location. In Acts 16:6, Paul had a vision of a person from Macedonia calling for him to come and rescue them. God spoke to Paul, calling him to leave Derbe and Lystra for Macedonia. Similarly, Philip the evangelist was moved by God from place to place, eventually settling in Caesarea (Acts 8:26-40). We see examples of this in modern times too. Pastor Ronald Kalifungwa relocated from Mufulira to Cape Town, South Africa, and later to Lusaka Baptist Church. Pastor Kapambwe Nsenduluka served in Botswana and then moved to Namibia before returning to Zambia. Pastor Brian Njovu relocated from Choma to serve in another town.

    These examples illustrate that God's call has an ending, and it's essential to accept this reality for the well-being of our churches and ministries. We may view every resignation as disobedience if we believe that a calling is a lifelong conviction to serve in one location. However, this perspective doesn't account for the various ways God calls and relocates His servants.

    In this chapter, we explored the concept of the end of a pastoral call. In the next chapter, we will delve deeper into the topic of pastoral resignation, examining the various reasons why pastors choose to resign. Join me on September 27, 2024, as we continue this important discussion.

WHEN A PASTOR RESIGNS (CHAPTER 1)

Before exploring the reasons why pastors resign, let's delve into the concept of the pastoral call. When pastors resign, a common question arises: "If a pastor is called to shepherd people, why should he resign? Is it not God who called him?"

To address this question, let's examine the various examples of callings in the Bible. In the Old Testament, we see individuals called by God for specific tasks and missions. For instance, God called Abraham to leave his family and relatives for a place He would show him (Genesis 12:1-4). Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 3). Jonah was called to prophesy to Nineveh (Jonah 1), and Samuel was called to be a prophet and leader (1 Samuel 3).

In the New Testament, we see the call of the apostles, including Matthew, Peter, Andrew, and others. The apostle Paul was called to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9). Additionally, the Bible records that believers are called to salvation, which is a response to God's call to sinners to attain freedom from sin, death, and hell (1 Corinthians and Ephesians).

From these examples, we can see that God's call is personal, between God and the individual. However, others usually confirm this call. In each of the quoted scenarios, the person was convinced that God was calling them for a particular mission. This call is not limited to the Old and New Testaments; 21st-century pastors also confirm that their calling was a personal conviction, later confirmed by other believers.

Pastor D shared his experience, saying, "When it was time to tell my parents about my desire to serve the Lord by becoming a pastor my dear mother said, 'We already knew that one day you will become a pastor.'" Notice with me that Pastor D had a personal conviction first before others could confirm it. Pastor E also confirmed that his conviction grew, and others noticed his teaching and preaching gifts, leading to his call to pastoral ministry.

In conclusion, a calling is a personal conviction by which God persuades someone to take up a particular responsibility. This responsibility may differ depending on God's mission for the person. Some are called to be mothers, others to be elders or vocational elders, and others to be evangelists. A pastoral calling is a conviction of God upon a man to take up the responsibility of shepherding souls.

Based on the above narration, it will now be helpful to discuss the reasons why pastors resign. Stay tuned for the next post on September 20, 2024, where I'll explore the reasons why pastoral calls may come to an end or why pastors resign.

WHEN A PASTOR RESIGNS

 Jurgen Klopp, one of Liverpool's most decorated coaches, announced his resignation in early 2024, shocking the football world. Despite winning eight trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League, Klopp decided to step down at the peak of his career. This raises questions about why a successful coach would leave, similar to when a Pastor resigns from their calling.

Kwenda's ordination service a at CCBC

Pastoral ministry is widely regarded as a divine calling, yet some Pastors choose to resign. This can lead to discussions about whether resigning goes against God's call. However, it's essential to acknowledge that Pastors do resign, and it's crucial to understand the reasons behind their decisions.

Through interviews with Baptist Pastors who have resigned, I will explore the nature of a calling and the different types of callings. This understanding will help us view a Pastor's resignation in a new light. Additionally, I will provide solutions to address the resignation of vocational elders.

Stay tuned for the next post on September 13th, 2024, where I will delve into the reasons behind Pastors' resignations and how to relate to those who have stepped down.