When a Pastor is Fired

It is estimated that one-third of pastoral leaders, clergy, church staff, and religious non-profit leaders, will experience a forced termination at least once during their vocational careers. This traumatic experience impacts not only the pastoral leader, who loses a job, reputation, feelings of self-worth, and confidence, but also affects the minister's family. A spouse loses a church community, children loss friends and faith. This silent epidemic is rarely addressed by denominational bodies or judicatories, at great cost to both clergy and the Church. This book will identify the causes of forced terminations and their impact on clergy, families, churches, and ministry organizations. Here the Faculty of Ministering to Ministers, a program for clergy and non-profit leaders, share their wisdom working with pastoral leaders who have experienced a forced termination from ministry. Their insights are informed by over thirty years of working with religious and organizational leaders.