Support the Next Guy

As pastors prepare to retire, they should work hard to help the next guy succeed. A healthy transition to “the next guy” depends in part on “the old guy.” He can support the incoming pastor or be a stumbling block.

It is customary for departing U.S. presidents to leave a letter for the incoming president providing encouragement and offering assistance. George W. Bush recently said that supporting Barack Obama meant being there for him as needed, but also staying out of the way. Healthy pastoral transitions often do best to observe the same principles.

This means the retiring pastor should do all he can to engage, encourage, and, at times, empathize with the new shepherd. Though pastoral transitions rarely depend upon “one size fits all” principles, everything that follows assumes a situation where the outgoing pastor is leaving well and supporting the new pastor. With this in mind, let’s look at some ways that the old guy can best support the new guy.

Exit Happily

It’s inevitable. Retirement means change. Even in the case of pastoral retirement, even when the retiree remains a member, his ministry to the church must radically change. He doesn’t preach, counsel, lead the staff, or make the decisions like he used to. This is not an easy pill to swallow.

Retiring pastor, this means you have to let go. Make the commitment to happily respect the new pastor. Ask others to hold you accountable to support him in your private prayers and publicly among the congregation. Ask the Lord to give you contentment in your new role.

Engage Wisely

Supporting the new guy requires more than lip service in front of the congregation. It also means trying to be helpful to the new pastor. In some instances, the two pastors in transition will have a long-tested relationship built on trust. But even when this is not the case, it is vital that the older guy root for the younger guy. This means encouraging him and attempting to wisely engage so as not to be overbearing or completely absent.

Pastors in transition should spend time together even after the transition is over. They should dialogue and reassure each other. By doing so, the new guy will feel the support of the old guy and the old guy will be comforted in his new stage of ministry.

Spending time together also creates an opportunity for sharing about various pastoral situations in the church. The old guy can equip the new guy to fruitfully shepherd those in the congregation who are weak, anxious, prickly, or just need extra oversight.

To the retiring pastor, take the initiative to have conversations, but don’t push it. Let the new guy know you’re available, but don’t force open the door.

Encourage Faithfully

Paul instructed the Roman church, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:10). This is a good principle for pastors in transition. Though there might be areas of disagreement, the former pastor should see his role as an encourager.

If the retiring pastor remains a member, he should visibly support the new guy. Non-verbal nodding in agreement and verbal “amening” can go a long way.

Empathize Appropriately

New pastors eventually reach the end of their “honeymoon” phase in a church. Problems mount and discouragement presses in. When those hard times come, the retired pastor, knowing how hard ministry can be, should show empathy for the new guy.

From the get-go, he can be a sympathetic listener, a prayerful friend, and a wise counselor. He may occasionally need to speak the truth in love, but this should normally be done with gracious deference.

Conclusion

At the end of his ministry, Paul left a letter for pastor Timothy. He wrote, “You therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1).

This is necessary counsel for both new and retired pastors. By clinging to the gospel of the grace of God, the former pastor can have a happy exit, the new pastor is equipped for a happy succession, and the congregation is well-positioned for a healthy continuance.