This is the most painful subject I ever deal with (and I write about plenty of them).
The very nature of church conflict demands that the pastor be found in the midst of the firestorm. Sometimes, he is an innocent bystander, sometimes he inherited the problem, sometimes he is the problem and at all times he tries to be a healer.
In every case, he gets bloodied in the fray.
The church consultant we brought in to help us deal with a 30-year split in the congregation did his interviews, took his polls and then announced, “McKeever is not this church’s problem. But he has become the focus of it in the minds of many. So, I’m going to recommend that he leave and the church start afresh with someone new.”
Sheesh. Thanks a lot, friend.
But, that’s how it happens sometimes. You were trying to help the church and were downed by friendly fire, as we call it.
At other times, the pastor is neither a healer nor an innocent bystander. Sometimes, he is the problem and the congregation decides to take action.
The only question is “what action”?
The most severe action a church can take is to terminate the minister. Fire him. Oust him. Send him packing. Vote him out. Force him from the pulpit.
Call it whatever you want.
Termination is the death stroke, the ultimate statement that “this man’s ministry in this church is beyond repair.”
But consider what it says when a minister is voted out.
