Authors note:
People who are unable to generalize should stop reading at this point and go on with their day.
Last week I was on a visit with some older church attenders when they told me that someone in the church was bad mouthing me. I have been this persons pastor for 9 1/2 years. I have been there in the good times and the bad times and they have always told me in person “We love you and your family.” What I found out really hurt me. You can listen to the podcast I made here about it:
This incident got me thinking about what would leaving the church look like? And it led to this post today:
“Three Types of Church Members - When the Pastor leaves the Church”
Type #1: “Good Riddance!” This church member never wanted the pastor in the first place. They think this person isn’t good enough to pastor their church. They are very happy when the pastor leaves. This type of church member is normally small in number but destructive.
Type #2: “He was a good pastor… but…” This church member will definitely acknowledge some good about the pastor but will also get their parting shot in. This in my experience and the experience of other pastors who I’ve talked to about this agree that this is the most common type of church member. They will sail in whichever direction the wind is blowing.
Type #3: “He was a good pastor, and I’ll miss him.” This church member is rare these days. I dare say that I would only have maybe 3 people in my current congregation who would say this about me. This type of church member really loves their pastor, prays for their pastor, and supports their pastor. This type of church member (Like Type #1) is normally small in number but very loving.
I’m sure they’re other ways to illustrate this or maybe add another type to the list but in my humble opinion this is your dominant church member types today. If you’re a church member reading what type are you?
Anyway, after 9 1/2 years at my current church I am still learning a valuable lesson about pastoral ministry: Matthew 12:33 - 37.
I pray that you have a blessed day,
Scott
Scott my heart goes out to you brother. I'm a pastor of over 22 years in Canada and had this happen a few years ago whereby folks I had pastored over 10 years walked out.
Praying for you brother and for your health.