A Guide to Church Leadership Transition: What to Do If Our Senior Pastor Leaves Without Warning

What would happen if our main preacher departed all of a sudden?

When your senior pastor suddenly leaves, it can cause problems for the church community, the leadership teams, and the way things are run. The spiritual challenges are hard, but the legal and practical ones demand quick and smart solutions to keep the organization going and the ministry moving forward.

Right Away: Legal and Operational Steps

1. Check and write down the resignation: Write an official letter of resignation and make sure the board agrees in the official minutes.
2. Review Employment Agreements: A lawyer can assist you in understanding what you have to do under the terms of your contract, how much severance pay you will get, and what your legal responsibilities are.
3. Choose Interim Leaders: Make sure that interim pastors have clear authority and legal agreements to keep the ministry working.
4. Change the administrative systems: Make sure that the payroll, insurance, and communication systems are all up to date to show the new leadership.

How to Handle Interim Leadership in a Way That Is Both Legal and Productive

• Make sure your interim leadership agreements spell out what the job is and how long it will last.
• Tell the workers and the congregation about the temporary housing.
• To keep the government honest, limit the power of temporary leaders.
• Make sure that everything goes smoothly with pastoral care and ministry.

How to Talk to One Another

• Make sure your communication is clear and consistent about the resignation and what will happen next.
• Talk to the folks in your church directly about their worries to put an end to the misinformation.
• Reconfirm the church's mission and goals.
• Give individuals regular news and chances to talk about what they think.

Making Plans for the Future and Running Things

• Make or review official plans for succession.
• Get the board and committees to assist you in finding new employees and getting them set up.
• Follow the rules and ordinances that are in place.
• Help young pastors learn how to lead better.

How Tier 3: THE PASTOR SUPPORT PLAN Helps Churches

• Help with legal and emergency situations throughout the time of leaving and moving.
• Making plans for the future and helping with the business.
• Training for new and temporary leaders in the executive branch.
• Audits to check if regulations are being followed and risks are lower.
• Help with how to talk to each other.

This is only for your information; it's not legal advice. Get advice from a lawyer who is licensed to do so.

Links Inside

• A report on the Church's legal audit and compliance
• A Look at the Pastor Support Plan
• Getting Legal Help to Run a Church

Other Sites' Links

• ECFA Leadership Transition Resources
• IRS Nonprofit Compliance
• Nonprofit Quarterly Leadership Transition