A Story of Positive Pastoral Transition

By the Rev. Dr. Bill Harmon and the Rev. Dr. Lannon Martin

Sarah and Greg come into the new pastor’s office to make plans for their wedding. About halfway into the conversation, they sheepishly ask a question that most pastors have heard or heard of before: “Is it okay for Pastor Jones to perform our wedding? He already agreed to do it and it’s going to be so great! Did you know that he confirmed both of us?”

Let the battle begin!

Is it possible to have a positive transition and working relationship between the former pastor and the new pastor of a congregation? We believe the answer is yes.

The co-authors of this article have undergone this often-difficult transition ourselves in recent months: After serving King of Glory Lutheran Church in Williamsburg, Va., for nearly 15 years, Harmon accepted the call to serve as president of the LCMS Southeastern District. After a year of vacancy at King of Glory, Martin accepted the call to serve as its senior pastor. Imagine the pressure for Martin, who accepted the call to serve as pastor of the new district president’s former congregation. Adding to the challenge, Harmon and his family remained in town and hoped to continue as members of King of Glory.

The norm, and a fresh approach

Certain norms have dominated our church body’s culture for years when it comes to a pastor taking a call and a new pastor coming in. The conventional advice for the outgoing pastor is usually something like this: pack up your books, say your goodbyes and disappear. Pastors disconnect from years of deep relationships and a rich history of service. The congregation is expected to instantly trust a new pastor and forget the former one. This norm alone can lead to resentment and bitterness.

But after our positive experience with this recent transition at King of Glory, we would like to propose a new norm for these situations: one in which pastors and congregations can celebrate the past, rejoice in the present and look to a future that trusts in the Lord — a faithful future not dominated by either pastor’s legacy or congregational traditions, but by the will of the Lord and His desire for His church to be well.

At King of Glory, it would have been easy to call on the old norms and ask Harmon and his family to disconnect from the congregation. As is customary, they would have severed ties and disengaged from a congregation where they had served and been fed for years. However, from the moment he accepted the call, Martin wanted to retain the congregation’s relationship with Harmon — for the good of the congregation.

We have found that this has been healthier and more positive for both pastors and the congregation as a whole. Here is how we are doing it.

A foundational relationship

Harmon insisted that he and his wife Gayle worship elsewhere for six months, allowing Martin and his wife Alissa to “get their footing” in the congregation. Some time away is good. During the time the Harmons spent outside of the congregation’s normal life, Harmon and Martin met regularly to work on their relationship, and they continue to do so.

They agreed from the start that the most healthy goal for themselves and King of Glory would be to have a strong and supportive relationship with one another. If the members at King of Glory could openly love and appreciate Harmon as their former pastor and also love and appreciate Martin as their current pastor, the congregation would have the best possible opportunity to move forward into its next chapter of mission and ministry.

Intentionality over ego

Most pastors have a story about heading out for a long-planned vacation or conference only to be sidetracked by an emergency within the congregation. The common thread behind these stories is that pastors have a responsibility to their calling that often goes beyond themselves as people.

The same thing is true in times of pastoral transition: It absolutely essential, even when incredibly difficult, that both the incoming and outgoing pastor put the mission of the congregation ahead of personal ego.

“I’m so sorry to bring up Pastor Harmon/Martin.” This was a common refrain for several months as people adjusted to the new state of congregational life. In transition, there is a natural concern for the unknowns the new guy brings and a natural nostalgia for the way things have been. But in a healthy transition, church members can be made to feel free to celebrate the church’s progress while also rejoicing in its history.

As Harmon and Martin openly supported one another, the awkwardness of these conversations melted away. People felt free to simply be thankful for what God had given in the leadership and service of both their current and former pastors. There has been not only a willingness to talk through stories, experiences and institutional knowledge, but also to explore current ministry, new initiatives and vision forward.

To foster this environment, both pastors need to be intentional about putting aside ego and elevating the church’s mission above all else. Doing so is made all the more comfortable when the former pastor and the new pastor are equally intentional about supporting one another.

Know your role

Relationship building clears the path for healthy coexistence within the congregation: Because of the pastors’ coffee gatherings, lunch meetings, and holiday get togethers, supporting one another is easier.

Next, it is incumbent upon the former pastor to know and accept his new role. He is no longer the leader, decision maker or spiritual shepherd of the congregation.

In our context, as the new pastor, Martin is the congregation’s leader, decision maker and spiritual shepherd. Because of our relationship, Martin enjoys Harmon’s cooperation, and the congregation reaps the benefits.

Communication                                                                                                       

At a certain moment in time, it happened. After nearly a year of intentional conversations, the goal of forging a positive and supportive relationship between current and former pastors seemed to be achieved. There is no way to fake healthy communication or to hurry an authentic relationship.

The benefits have been seemingly endless. Staff do not have to feel guarded in their conversations with Harmon or Martin. Members of the congregation can openly share stories, appreciation, even criticisms with trust and ease. The people have come to know that if Harmon and Martin support and encourage one another, they can do the same.

The road here is not always easy. It can mean courageous conversations about times when a comment from a person seemed hurtful or difficult. It also means appreciating the gifts of one another without feeling insecure. There is growth in the moments of awkwardness and vulnerability. And it is all worthwhile: The relationship ensures that Harmon and Martin can be in service to one another, as even pastors need pastors.

A work in progress

At King of Glory, the tension that often exists within a typical story of pastoral transition is gone. Triangulation, gossiping with one group about another, and whispering campaigns are prevented through ongoing intentional communication and relationship building. Harmon and Martin have agreed that everything is on the table when they are face-to-face. The agreement is simple: You can share whatever you feel you need to share. Say what you want when we are together, and support each other and the work of the ministry when we are in public.

This would not be possible without the Lord’s strength and guidance. As we pray for each other, we ask the Lord to bless our friendship and partnership in the Gospel. The challenges of occasional criticisms of the past and worries for the future are still real. We could choose to focus on those things and allow them to divide us and harm the health of the church. Instead, we are choosing intentionality, clearly defined roles, and communication to forge a path that celebrates our callings and the progress of the church’s mission and vision.

We hope that sharing our story will be a blessing to other congregations going through similar transitions in the future, as we try as pastors and congregations to keep Christ and our ministry at the center of all we do together.

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Cover image: Harmon and Martin at King of Glory.