Bishop Gift Peters, General Overseer of Global Evangelical Mandate Churches, Onigbongbo, Maryland, Lagos, has expressed concern over the unceremonious disengagement of assistant pastors from their former churches.
The Bishop acknowledged that, for the furtherance of the gospel, it is inevitable that some assistant pastors may eventually disengage from their churches to establish their own ministries. However, he advised that such transitions should be handled with sensitivity and human feeling, avoiding actions that may hurt their lead pastor or negatively impact the church.
Bishop Peters enjoined exiting assisting pastors to consider that there lead pastors are human beings too with blood running in their veins to feel the hurt and pains of unceremonious exits of their surbordinates from their ministry, particulary without the required and proper notice of disengagement from services. His words: “Pastors too are human beings with blood running in their veins to feel the hurt of disappointment when their assistants disengage from their churches without the required and proper notice of disengagement or unceremoniously. This can be devastating to anyone, including pastors because they are human beings too,” he bemoaned.
Bishops Peters, who is also the International President of Berakah Episcopal Ministries Fellowship (BMF) while highlighting the effects of hurtful disengagement from church service noted that when a pastor or church worker disengages from service in a hurtful or unceremonious manner, the impact can be far-reaching. He pointed at some of the effects of a hurting and improper disgagement from church service to include the following:
Emotional Pain to Leadership, explaining that a sudden or disrespectful departure can deeply hurt the lead pastor, especially when there has been a close spiritual and ministerial relationship. He added that division within the church members may take sides, leading to factions, tension, and disunity within the congregation.
The bishop added spiritual Instability among members. “Some members may become confused, discouraged, or offended, which can weaken their faith and commitment,” he explained. He continues on the effects of hurting disengagement sayinng it causes damage to reputation, and public conflicts. “Unhealthy exits can negatively affect the image of both the departing minister and the church,” he said
” It also causes hindrance to the Gospel. Instead of advancing the work of God, conflict and strife may distract from the core mission of soul-winning and discipleship. It also causes broken Relationships. Long-standing friendships and spiritual bonds may be permanently damaged.
He continues. “Loss of Trust. Future collaborations and relationships may be affected due to fear of betrayal or repetition of similar behavior. A graceful, prayerful, and honourable transition preserves relationships, protects the unity of the church, and keeps the focus on the advancement of God’s kingdom,” the Bishop finally remarked