WHEN A PASTOR RESIGNS- CHAPTER 5 (A word to churches)

        Last week, I addressed pastors and explored ways to support them in their vital work. Now, I turn our attention to the church as a whole, for the body of Christ is interconnected and that the individual parts impact the collective whole. Today, I will address the role of the church eldership to help reduce pastoral resignation.

        Firstly, observations from pastoral resignations highlight the crucial need for strong relationships within church elderships. The pastor-elder relationship must transcend employer-employee dynamics, focusing on brotherhood in the Lord. Building relationships before assigning roles is vital, as employees rarely develop meaningful connections with supervisors. To foster mutual respect, churches should outline the eldership polity clearly and recognise pastors as equals within the eldership. 

        Secondly, when calling pastors, churches must consider the role they will play, including providing leadership and vision. However, most churches overlook this reality, viewing pastors solely as preachers, visitors, and Bible study leaders.  

Kwenda poses with some of the men at
CCBC after a men's breakfast meeting

        The apostle Paul describes the church as the family of God (1 Timothy 3:15), emphasising the importance of familial bonds within the church. Meaningful relationships enable the sharing of challenges and foster unity, even in disagreement. When familial bonds are strong in the eldership, disputes can be handled maturely and respectfully. The consequences of neglecting these principles are evident in the story of Pastor E, who resigned due to irreparable relationships with elders, affecting the church negatively. His experience underscores the necessity of mature, respectful relationships within the body of elders.

        It is good for church elders to prioritize building strong, united elderships, recognizing the pastor's role in providing leadership and vision and cultivating meaningful relationships based on mutual respect and brotherhood in the Lord.

        Join me next week, on October 25th, as we continue to explore the important topic of pastoral resignations. We'll be discussing the vital role that churches can play in supporting their pastors and helping to address the root causes of resignations. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical advice on how to build a stronger, more supportive church community. See you then!"