Seasons of life
When your pastor leaves
A path for members in a pastoral transition: honest grief for a real loss, the unsettled questions, the temptation to factions — and staying joined to the body while it finds its next season. Drawing on 9Marks transition writing, including Bob Johnson's 'A Tale of Two Pastoral Transitions' and Doug Van Meter's 'Support the Next Guy'.
15-second intro — tap to play
Hebrews 13:20 — 'the great shepherd of the sheep… equip you with everything good.'
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Hebrews 13:20 — 'the great shepherd of the sheep… equip you with everything good.'
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→ peace
Next stop: The real loss — gold stops gather peace evidence.
- 1
The real loss
A pastor's leaving is a genuine grief — treat it like one.
💔 Grief and Loss
- 2
The unsettled season
Transitions stir questions about the future; ask them honestly.
🌫️ Confusion and Doubt
- 3
The factions risk
Successions breed sides — check what the vacuum is doing to you.
🤝 Peacemaker or Partisan?
- 4
Staying joined
The church is not the pastor; your covenant is with the body.
⛪ Consumer Church, Covenant Church
- 5
Rooting again
Track the re-joining: serving, welcoming the next shepherd.
⛪ Consumer Church, Covenant Church · healing check
- 6
The Shepherd who stays
Collect the evidence that the flock was always His.
⛪ Consumer Church, Covenant Church · peace check
A flashlight, not a verdict — walk it at your own pace, share it only if you choose.