How to Fire a Pastor
Steps Churches Should Take to Remove a Baptist Pastor
No loving church wants to get to the point where they have to fire a pastor. The removal of a pastor is a painful process, often accompanied by intense controversy, deeply hurt feelings, and, at times, a church split. How should Baptist churches proceed when faced with dismissing their pastor?
What Does The Bible Say About Removing a Pastor?
There is no specific case study in Scripture, where a church fired its pastor. A congregant might then ask: "Does the Bible say you cannot fire your pastor?" This answer to that question is "No."
In fact, the Bible lays out clear guidelines on how Christians and churches should handle conflict, accountability, and discipline. These guidelines can and should be applied to cases involving the dismissal of a pastor.
First, if a pastor is guilty of a moral failing (i.e., adultery, embezzlement, family issues, dishonesty, etc.), the congregation must start with a prayerful and thorough examination of the biblical qualifications for elder (or pastor) as laid out by the Apostle Paul in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. If the pastor no longer meets these qualifications, then the pastor must either resign or be removed.
If the pastor, however, remains Biblically qualified to serve, the only other valid reason for the church to even consider removing the pastor stems from Acts 15, where Paul and Barnabas parted ways, due to a sharp disagreement that could not be reconciled.
Protocol to Remove a Pastor
The decision to remove a pastor typically begins with an individual or group within the congregation. These individuals should initiate the grievance and potential removal process by doing the following:
- Humility - Time and again, the Scriptures call God's followers to humility. There is no room for pride, ego, consumer-minded feelings, etc. in the decision to remove a pastor. Each person involved must submit to God completely and humble himself or herself throughout the entire process.
- Prayer and Fasting - Removal of a pastor is a very serious matter, and should be undertaken only after a period of intense prayer and fasting.
- Studying the Scriptures - In addition to prayer and fasting, those parties considering this very serious step should thoroughly study the Scriptures, including Jesus' guidelines on handling conflict (Matthew 18) as well as Paul's instructions on church discipline (I Corinthians 5) and the qualifications of an elder (I Timothy 3 and Titus 1).
- Process of Accountability and Witnesses - Once the parties in question have determined in prayer and based on Scripture that they should move toward removing the pastor, the actual process should follow Jesus' instructions for addressing offenses and conflict in Matthew 18.
- Review of Church Constitution & Bylaws - Once the matter reaches the church leadership and the congregation overall, it is important that proper procedure, as laid out in the church's constitution and bylaws, be followed. The church may, in fact, opt to consult with an attorney.
The hope, of course, is that the process will not "go the distance," but that the parties in this process, including the pastor, will seek the Lord's will and avoid entangling the church overall in an ugly conflict.
Removing a pastor is not something that should be taken lightly, but it is sometimes necessary. When it is necessary, the task must be undertaken prayerfully, lovingly, and cautiously. And all parties should understand that the church isn't their personal organization, but rather that of Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd (I Peter 5:4).
Related Reading
Those interested in this article may wish to check out "How to Call a Pastor in a Baptist Church" and "Baptist Pastor Salary Guidelines."
Removing a Pastor Requires Caution and Prayer
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