LE3 .A278 2008

2008

Legassie, Randolph

Acadia University

Doctor of Ministry

D.Min.

Ministry

Acadia Divinity College

The transition from one pastoral leader to another can have a profound impact on a church’s immediate and long term future. Research indicates that the key determinant to the congregation’s experience through this period is the manner in which the pastor leaves the congregation. This thesis project examines the role a departing pastor has in helping a church experience a healthy transition to a new pastoral leader. Recently resigned pastors and representative lay people from ten pastorates were interviewed during the pastors’ departure period. The interviewer sought to explore the dynamics of the experience, gain a better understanding of the process, and seek principles to assist pastors leading congregations into similar periods of leadership change. These interviews were evaluated and processed in light of previous research and literature on the subject, as well as biblical examples of leadership transitions. Chapter One explores why pastors choose to leave their churches and how the reasons for their departure can affect the final period of ministry. Chapter Two examines how pastors communicate their departure to the ongregation. Chapter Three examines how a pastor personally and professionally deals with the transition so he/she is then able to effectively serve during the final stages of a ministry. Chapters Four, Five and Six examine three areas pastors should address during their final period of ministry: relationships (i.e. ministry to the grief process), Ministries (i.e. ensuring the church’s ministries are sustained through the transition period), and Future Considerations (i.e. encouraging and assisting the congregation towards a new pastoral relationship). Chapter Seven encourages pastors to consider their congregations’ perspective and to help them plan for a healthy transition process. Leadership transitions are both organizational and emotional. They require intentional, thoughtful and strategic leadership if they are to be completed in a healthy manner. Even as they leave, pastors who are concerned to fulfill their calling to build up the body of Christ will seek to give their churches the final gift of a good farewell.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2197