When to Leave - Closing Reflections on Leaving Well

Navigating a transition from ministry is complex, requiring intentionality and grace. The episode shares essential principles for departing well, focusing on communication, celebrating achievements, and preparing for new beginnings while acknowledging the emotional impact on both the leader and the church community. 

• Importance of open communication for smooth transitions 
• Celebrating wins contributes to positive farewells 
• Staying engaged until the last day is essential 
• Supporting successors fosters a healthy handoff 
• Resolving conflicts before leaving reflects Christ's character 
• Planning a goodbye creates a thoughtful exit strategy 
• Understanding and allowing space for grief in the congregation 
• Looking ahead with hope for fresh opportunities 
• Creating a clear action plan for the leaving process

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:08

Hi there, welcome to the Healthy Church Staff Podcast. My name is Todd Rhodes, one of the co-founders over at chemistrystaffingcom, and I'm so glad you're here. Over the past few episodes, actually the last couple weeks We've talked a lot about recognizing when and if it's time to leave your current ministry position, managing transitions, handing over leadership. Today, we're going to talk, at a 30,000-foot level, some reflections on leaving, and it's all based on a book that we've been working through together. It's called Wade Hodges Wade Hodges, the author, wade Hodges, and the book is called when to Leave how to Know when it's Time to Move On Before you Stay Way Too Long and if you'd like to get a free copy of that book if you haven't already, you can do you can go to chemistrystaffingcom slash when-to-leave, and also we are going to be doing a webinar very soon on this topic, and you can learn more about that at chemistrystaffingcom slash learn. Okay, I'd love to have you here.

Speaker 1: 1:21

On the podcast we get to connect one-on-one. This will be able to connect, kind of live in a little bit larger group, talking about how to leave well, or how to know when it's time to leave actually. So, as we've talked about, though, leaving it's not easy, but it's essential. And if you decide to leave your ministry role, and how you leave your ministry role can leave a lasting impact on your church. It can leave a lasting impact on your reputation and on your future opportunities as well, and Wade reminds us that exiting gracefully is just as important as serving faithfully. So here's some key principles. If you've decided, if you've come to the decision yeah, this 2025 is going to be a time that I'm going to transition out of my current ministry. Here are some things to consider anyway. Okay, the first is communication, and we talked about this a little bit yesterday on the podcast. Go back and listen to it if you missed it but we talked about transparency and communication and making sure that you communicate early and clearly. Now we realize that not in every church can you do this, but if your church is healthy, once you've made the decision to leave, be transparent with your leadership team and with your congregation. Clear communication will build that trust and sets the tone for a smooth transition.

Speaker 1: 2:50

And during this transition time, it's a great time to celebrate everything that God has done. Take time to reflect on the wins, both big and small, that you've had during your time at your church, celebrate the people who have been a part of your ministry and a part of your journey, and acknowledge that God's really been faithful through your time in ministry. And then finish strong. I mean, don't coast to the finish line, stay engaged. It's hard, it's hard to stay engaged and stay focused, but you need to and stay committed to your responsibilities until your very last day. And then, if you know your successor, if your successor is there, bless them however you can, whether or not you know who the next leader is, speak positively about the transition and pray for the person who will carry the ministry forward. You've spent so much of your life serving where you are. Hopefully, you want the best for them and you want the person that ultimately takes your job to do a good job and to take the church forward.

Speaker 1: 3:48

And then, lastly, leave with grace. If there have been conflicts, if there's been challenges, do your best to resolve them before you go. A gracious exit will really reflect Christ's character and it sets a really positive example. So here's the bottom line for today when you decide to leave, once you've made that decision, how you leave matters. It's not just about you, it's about the health of your church and your own future. So here are some things you can do.

Speaker 1: 4:18

Once you've decided to leave and you want to do it really well Plan your goodbye. I mean work with your church's leadership to create a thoughtful transition plan. This might mean a farewell service, it might mean opportunities to say goodbye, even a handoff meeting with key leaders. Just make sure that you plan that out. If you don't have a plan, it's not going to happen. Maybe take the time to write a letter of gratitude to your church. You can say that on a Sunday morning, but writing a letter to just express your gratitude for the opportunity to serve and taking the time to share what you've learned and how you've grown during your time there, that would mean a lot and this is going to hit some people. It's going to hit everybody differently. Some people.

Speaker 1: 5:03

I left one church and I saw a guy literally after board meeting, after I announced, I walked by the office on my way out and, I kid you not, the office door was open. He had his feet up on the desk, his hands behind his head, and I heard him say finally yeah, yeah, but I'm not bitter, but no, your resignation and you're moving on is going to mean different things to different people. Some people might be happy, they might be that person that I described, but many people are going to grieve and you need to give space to allow people to grieve. Acknowledge that leaving is hard and it's hard for them, but it's also hard. It's hard for you, but it's also hard for them. It's hard for you and the entire church. So allow time and space for people to process this transition, because it's going to hit everybody a little bit different, and then look ahead with hope. While leaving can be bittersweet, trust that God is leading you into a new season and embrace the possibilities of what's next. So your action plan I mean start drafting your leaving plan. Okay, write down how you'll communicate your decision, celebrate your time in ministry and prepare for what's ahead.

Speaker 1: 6:18

If you're thinking about leaving your current role, if you're in the middle of a transition, I'd love to connect and hear from you, offer some encouragement. Reach out to me personally at podcastchemistrystaffingcom. I read every email that comes in. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast here and that'll make sure that you don't miss any further episodes. Okay, I mentioned at the beginning of the podcast, I believe today you can get a free copy of Wade Hodges' book when to Leave.

Speaker 1: 6:46

It'll really particularly if you're in this time of transition. It'll really help you out. You can do that at chemistrystaffingcom slash when-to-leave. Also, we're going to be doing a live podcast here in the next week or so and you can find out more information, times and all of that by going to chemistrystaffingcom slash learn. Okay, thanks so much for spending some time with me today. Remember, leaving well just isn't what you're walking away from, it's what you're walking towards sometimes and you need to trust God that the good things are ahead and take the time to leave with grace and gratitude and hope. Take care. I will see you tomorrow right here on the Healthy Church Staff Podcast. You.