The problem: What do you do with ministers who have been fired for no real reason? In my counseling practice I see many ministers who have been terminated by their churches over “leadership issues”. No moral failure or doctrinal wanderings, just “personality styles” that clash.
The problems for the minister are myriad. No job. No income. No place to live. Anger, hurt, and resentment begin to pile up. A spouse who is even angrier and more resentful. Questions about whether or not one should even be in the ministry. It’s not an easy time.
Plus, there is a sense of being alone. My denomination (SBC) recognizes the independence and autonomy of the local church. Denominational leaders are in a support and service role: resumes can be forwarded to churches but no one can place a minister in a church.
One possible solution: What if the 155 churches in the Tulsa Metro Baptist Association had a plan for helping these men? That’s what the 7 or 8 of us on the Association’s Church/Staff Support ministry team asked the other day.
Too big a project for one congregation, but just right size for a cooperative effort. We could possibly provide:
Mentoring: Some of the men need to learn it wasn’t all the congregation’s fault the last church didn’t’ work out. Nor, was it all their fault.
A place to worship: Some just need a place they and their family can go to church and be quiet & passive with no leadership expectations.
A place to use their gifts: Others need an opportunity to remind themselves God really did call them to (vocational) ministry.
Connections to business and industry leaders: ‘Cause a guy’s got to eat in the mean time.
Perhaps, even a place to live: Many of our churches have a parsonage or mission house that may be going unused.
To be sure, one or two churches in the Association are doing a part of the above at any given time. Especially some of the larger churches. But we’re dreaming about a way to be thoughtful and deliberate in helping.
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