Friends For The Journey Network

Ministers in crisis have another avenue of help with the launching of the "Friends for the Journey Network" by Ministering to Ministers Foundation, based in Richmond, Virginia . Forty-one volunteers met in Richmond March 23-25 for a training seminar designed to equip them to be a friend and walk with ministers and their spouses as they experience the horror of church conflict and forced termination.

Research reveals that forced terminations are more prevalent than most people think. A survey by Leadership magazine (Winter 1996) reports that 22.8 percent of ministers responding had experienced forced terminations at least once during their career. In 62 percent of these cases, the same congregation had forced the previous pastor out. Of those forced out, 43 percent said a faction pushed them out, and in a majority of these cases the faction numbered ten or less. Only 20 percent of forced-out ministers said the real reason for their leaving was made known to the entire congregation.

According to a study by Alan Klaas, president of Mission Growth Ministries, St. Louis , Missouri , in 67 percent of the cases, the congregation had been in conflict with the previous pastor. In 45 percent of the cases, a minority faction was successful in manipulating a supportive majority to push the pastor out. Only seven percent of the time was the cause the personal misconduct of the minister. In 62 percent of the cases, regional officials of various denominations who could have helped mediate were kept away until it was too late to solve the dispute.

Kevin Leicht, professor of sociology at the University of Iowa and author of Professional Work, points out that clergy firings are very high when compared with the national labor force where 1.2 percent of all employees are involuntarily terminated. He also reports that the rate of forced out ministers is higher than coaches in the National Football League, which is considered a highly unstable profession.

There are three common dynamics that are usually apparent when ministers tell their horror stories of forced termination. First, the minister was blind-sided by a "gang of two or three" and told the whole congregation felt that way, that they were merely the messengers, and that it was nothing personal. Second, while the minister was in a state of shock after being blind-sided, guilt was dumped on the minister as the "group" told him or her that this must be kept quiet in order to protect the church. Therefore, the minister should sign the resignation which they had already prepared and which they would read to the church. If, however, the minister talked to any of the congregation, any severance money would be taken off the table. Third, while the minister was still in a state of shock and in no condition to be making major decisions, the "group" pushed for a decision, "We have to know now what your plans are and we must have your letter of resignation in our hands by tomorrow."

Ministers forced to resign have limited resources to cope with their situation. They no longer have the basis of their support system - church and friends. They have little if any idea of their legal rights. While conflict mediation organizations are becoming more prevalent, they demonstrate an allegiance to the church, not the process of mediation. After all, it is the church that pays them.

As a result, ministers are "beaten down" until they are not emotionally strong enough to deal with the situation. There's a tendency to resign prematurely. One of the first feelings they face is that of isolation. They do not know whom to trust. Their support system is gone and often their colleagues scatter. Whether real or perceived, the isolation is a severe factor. Their self-esteem is shattered, their self-confidence is eroded, and they feel a sense of failure and guilt, often wondering if they are not spiritual enough. In addition, their trust is eroded and they have an enormous amount of anger that is often suppressed because ministers have been conditioned to deny their anger. Depression usually follows.

The Friends for the Journey Network will try to provide a friend for the minister as he or she walks through the valley of despair during such conflict and forced termination. The first line of defense will be to remove the isolation. The "friend" will not be a therapist or mentor. Nor will the "friend" provide legal advice. We believe that a friend who will listen and understand some of the dynamics the minister is facing will make a significant difference. The "friend" can also point to resources that are available during such crises. With more and better resources to call on and someone to walk with them, we believe ministers will make better and timelier decisions, thus reducing the number of forced terminations. This would help provide healthier ministers and healthier churches. Our desire is that no one would have to walk through such a tragedy alone.

The Richard Van Lunen Charitable Foundation, Columbia , Maryland , has made the Friends for the Journey Network initiative possible through a grant.