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You're Fired! How to Survive Forced Termination

The preacher cannot simply offer a stiff upper lip. Your pain is real. To be authentic, you need to share your family’s ache accompanied by the spiritual reinforcement of knowing God has not abandoned you. Reinforce your faith, and set the example for your family. Pray together. Honestly express yourself to the Father while affirming your trust in His love and care. Allow your family to pray, “casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

Reflect

Understanding why the termination occurred is vital to recovery and to making good decisions about the future. Perhaps conflict has been occurring for months. Why has it culminated now? What was the precipitating factor? Before casting blame on the church, its leaders or others, a healthy approach involves considering the beam in our own eyes. Have we done something wrong? What should we have done differently?

Self-reflection does not mean termination is the minister’s fault. However, before we can fairly evaluate others’ roles in the problem, we must begin in our own hearts and histories. If needed, now is a good time ask forgiveness, admit a shortcoming or address a skill deficiency.

On the other hand, self-reflection can re-affirm God’s calling. Trace His handiwork through your ministry, see the good things that have happened, as well as the difficult. Remember people whose lives God has allowed you to touch in many positive ways. People have been led to Christ. Marriages have been made and saved. The bereaved have been comforted. Lives have been transformed.

Good things have happened. Allow yourself the blessing of seeing how God has worked through your ministry. Remember, too, that He is not finished with you yet. “He who began a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

Re-examine

A wise preacher will make an appointment with one or two individuals to help him re-examine why the leaders believed termination was necessary. All of us have blind spots. If we authentically seek help opening the window of self-awareness, even our enemies may be willing to work with us. In some occasions, antagonists can be won over if approached with a sincere desire to understand their points of view.

If you discover flaws in character or competency on your part, take appropriate steps to make amends. If others are at fault, forgive as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you (Eph. 4:32). Calmly share your point of view. They need the opportunity to recognize their wrongdoing and, possibly, seek your forgiveness. Your honesty may prevent a future minister from suffering similar problems.

In either case, renew your ministry of reconciliation so that as much as lies within you, you can live at peace with all parties (Rom. 12:18). As you move on to a new place, you don’t want to look over your shoulder with animosity toward these people.