WWYD? Youth pastor situation

[gym_class_hero]

Our YP notified the elders he is looking for a new job. We are undergoing a transition as our Senior Pastor is retiring and we were counting on the YP to help us through this transition.
We are praying about how to handle this situation. He has one foot out the door, should we give him severance pay and cut him loose? We have a volunteer who is more than capable of filling his spot.

 

[WolfGate]

Unless there is something key you are not telling us, there is no way I would fire him for telling you he is seeking another job. Being a bit blunt, but that is really what you are talking about here. You had an idea of how he would help in your transition, it doesn't align with his, so you are considering punishing him for being transparent and honest.

I believe a better course of action would be to be honest and transparent with him and be supportive of his goals as well. Let him know you are in a more difficult situation because he is also looking for a new position and you were counting on him to be a key support during the senior pastor search. Let him know you understand he is looking but you still need and expect him to also actively support the church and elders during this transition just as you are supporting him. Seek agreement with him on what that will look like. Then also engage the volunteer so if he does find a new position that is ready to transition smoothly.

Be fair and clear and act with integrity. That will only make you more attractive to your upcoming pastoral candidates.

 

[Leaf473]

Our YP notified the elders he is looking for a new job. We are undergoing a transition as our Senior Pastor is retiring and we were counting on the YP to help us through this transition.
We are praying about how to handle this situation. He has one foot out the door, should we give him severance pay and cut him loose? We have a volunteer who is more than capable of filling his spot.

Prayer is definitely the right place to start.

Myself, I don't think it's good to try to keep people in a ministry position that they don't feel positive about.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.

 

[gym_class_hero]

Prayer is definitely the right place to start.

Myself, I don't think it's good to try to keep people in a ministry position that they don't feel positive about.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.

Thanks for your response. Prayer is the place to start, indeed

 

[gym_class_hero]

Unless there is something key you are not telling us, there is no way I would fire him for telling you he is seeking another job. Being a bit blunt, but that is really what you are talking about here. You had an idea of how he would help in your transition, it doesn't align with his, so you are considering punishing him for being transparent and honest.

I believe a better course of action would be to be honest and transparent with him and be supportive of his goals as well. Let him know you are in a more difficult situation because he is also looking for a new position and you were counting on him to be a key support during the senior pastor search. Let him know you understand he is looking but you still need and expect him to also actively support the church and elders during this transition just as you are supporting him. Seek agreement with him on what that will look like. Then also engage the volunteer so if he does find a new position that is ready to transition smoothly.

Be fair and clear and act with integrity. That will only make you more attractive to your upcoming pastoral candidates.

There are a few other issues. Thanks for your response.

 

[GOD Shines Forth!]

Unless there is something key you are not telling us, there is no way I would fire him for telling you he is seeking another job. Being a bit blunt, but that is really what you are talking about here. You had an idea of how he would help in your transition, it doesn't align with his, so you are considering punishing him for being transparent and honest.

I believe a better course of action would be to be honest and transparent with him and be supportive of his goals as well. Let him know you are in a more difficult situation because he is also looking for a new position and you were counting on him to be a key support during the senior pastor search. Let him know you understand he is looking but you still need and expect him to also actively support the church and elders during this transition just as you are supporting him. Seek agreement with him on what that will look like. Then also engage the volunteer so if he does find a new position that is ready to transition smoothly.

Be fair and clear and act with integrity. That will only make you more attractive to your upcoming pastoral candidates.

Excellent post.

 

[spiritfilledjm]

Our YP notified the elders he is looking for a new job. We are undergoing a transition as our Senior Pastor is retiring and we were counting on the YP to help us through this transition.
We are praying about how to handle this situation. He has one foot out the door, should we give him severance pay and cut him loose? We have a volunteer who is more than capable of filling his spot.

Cutting him loose always leaves a bad taste in somebodies mouth. I've seen it happen so many times where a person puts in 2 weeks notice and the job ends up firing them instead. I've always viewed that as unprofessional of the employer. I would have the YP train the volunteer to take over and assist with that transition until the YP has completely quit.

 

[spiritfilledjm]

To add, there was never a transition period with youth when I was young. It was always, the youth pastor announced he was leaving and bam, next week, new guy. It helps if it's somebody already involved but if it's just a fresh face, it would be very good for the teens to be able to build a rapport with the new leader before the old leader moves on to new things.

 

[A_Thinker]

Cutting him loose always leaves a bad taste in somebodies mouth. I've seen it happen so many times where a person puts in 2 weeks notice and the job ends up firing them instead. I've always viewed that as unprofessional of the employer. I would have the YP train the volunteer to take over and assist with that transition until the YP has completely quit.

Yep ... tell me I should give you 2 weeks notice ... and then, when I do, fire me for doing so.

I agree with a few of the sentiments given. The YP has been must have been reliable and responsible to this point, else you would be wanting him to fill in for the pastor when he leaves. Try to work out a mutually agreeable deal, ... and, at the very least, you'll make for a smoother transition for the new YP, and perhaps, the pastor ...

 

[A_Thinker]

Our YP notified the elders he is looking for a new job. We are undergoing a transition as our Senior Pastor is retiring and we were counting on the YP to help us through this transition.
We are praying about how to handle this situation. He has one foot out the door, should we give him severance pay and cut him loose? We have a volunteer who is more than capable of filling his spot.

Honestly, it sounds like you are apt to respond emotionally, rather than in the best interests of the congregation. Why would you fire the YP for telling you he's looking for another position ?

With the pastor on the way out, that would cutting off your nose to spite your face. Be gracious enough to allow him to serve for as long as he is willing ...

 

[Leaf473]

Is the youth pastor actually wanting to stay, but feels God is calling him somewhere else? If that's the case, then I'd say let him stay as long as he is blessing the congregation.

That would be another way of looking at it, just to put that out there.

 

[bekkilyn]

You could always just ask him what he wants. Maybe he's asking for an excuse to leave and would rather have the severance pay than to remain on the job. Also ask him why he is seeking another job. If he's been unhappy about something that is simple to fix, then maybe he would rather stay than go to another job. You don't know unless you ask. It may have nothing to do with the church at all or that God is calling him elsewhere or even that he wants to leave church ministry altogether and do something secular. I agree though about not punishing him because of his honesty.

 

[Paidiske]

I agree with Wolfgate, basically.

But here is another aspect to consider; from the time one starts to look for a ministry appointment, to the time one starts a new ministry appointment, is not usually very short. In my experience it tends to take about six months to find the right new thing, negotiate what they need, tie up loose ends with the old place, move house, etc etc. Six months is a long time to have good ministry from someone established in the role, during a difficult transition time. I wouldn't just throw that away because you're disappointed he's looking to move on.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Our YP notified the elders he is looking for a new job. We are undergoing a transition as our Senior Pastor is retiring and we were counting on the YP to help us through this transition.
We are praying about how to handle this situation. He has one foot out the door, should we give him severance pay and cut him loose? We have a volunteer who is more than capable of filling his spot.

I wouldn't encourage to ask someone to go against God's leadings, this can be disastrous. Let him go, and work with who remains, trust God.

 

[Robert1849]

Our YP notified the elders he is looking for a new job. We are undergoing a transition as our Senior Pastor is retiring and we were counting on the YP to help us through this transition.
We are praying about how to handle this situation. He has one foot out the door, should we give him severance pay and cut him loose? We have a volunteer who is more than capable of filling his spot.

Be honorable in all things, and give the worker what he is due. If he was honorable with you then secretly bless this person after they leave. If the volunteer is of good character and meets the qualifications of an Elder, then given him a try. Because paper degrees mean nothing if he does not meet biblical standards.

 

[Andrew Beeston]

While there may be a lot more to this post - I'd say being open with your employer about what your intentions are is actually quite a helpful and useful thing, along with somewhat putting yourself in a vulnerable position.

At any point a person may be feeling engaged or not in their role (ministry or otherwise) and it can be a good thing to have a conversation. Firing someone because they express negative sentiment would be pretty poor. Have seen this done (like others) in loads of jobs where it leaves everyone burned and just seems to be out of bitterness.