It seems to me that there are several other factors raised in Janet’s question that necessitate a response.  First, I believe it is important for Janet to realize that although she feels wronged by the church where she faithfully served, there may have been some portion of this termination that was justified and, if she is able to understand that portion, it will be of great benefit to her as she moves forward to her new role and position.  What could she have done differently to have avoided the termination?  Were there conversations or other corrections provided, however subtlely, that would have aided her in adjusting her performance to the desired expectations?  Although she was identified as employee of the month in June of 1998, had her performance somehow changed or not progressed with changing times?  This, too, could have created difficulties for her.  The intent is not to open wounds, but to find a place of healing for Janet with regard to her 10-year relationship with this church.

Second, I believe it is important for Janet to consider the life of Joseph who, although wronged, came to know of God’s soverignty in every situation.  2 Corinthians 2:14 seems particularly relevant--God always causes us to triumph in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This is equally true for Janet, despite the fact that at the moment she may not feel as if she’s triumphing.

Third, also present in Janet’s letter, I believe, was a plea for help.  How does she find a job at this stage?  One recommendation that I would offer to Janet is that she leverage her professional friendships and relationships to network her way into a new job.  Sending out resumes is seldom useful.  Resumes are often electronically scanned and are not even seen by a person until they’ve passed through the electronic gauntlet.  By making contact with people whom she knows, Janet will be better able to find positions that may be posted, or may not be posted.  She will also be able to receive support from people who know her and wish her well.  And, at this stage of her life, good support is a good thing.

I was terminated by my church on my 4th year evaluation. I had received stellar comments and evaluations in all my previous ones, but on this 4th one, I received a rather detailed list of all my major faults, and then given the choice of either resigning or succeeding at a list of impossible goals to be accomplished in an incredibly short time period. While I knew there were some issues to resolve in my ministry (as anyone could point out in any ministry), I was blindsided by the speed and severity of the action taken. It was truly a ‘shock and awe’ manuever by some of the senior leaders of the church who had intentions of hiring a guy they wanted in my position who was available for the job. My imediate boss who did the firing had even served in a university setting as an expert on human resources prior to being in ministry, which astounded me even more, that he’d be part and parcel to this maneuver. The evaluation process (I use those terms loosely) itself was grossly flawed and inept, and when I showed all my papers to people I knew who worked in other fields like law and business, they were shocked and dismayed over the inferior quality of the entire process. One of them even said that if that had happened in a business environment, a lawsuit would have followed suit.
While my termination & departure boiled down to an issue of style and philosophy of ministry, my competence and gifting were questioned and scrutinized in the process. It was a dark moment for me and my family. My wife and I came to the conclusion that while the decision (to let me go) may not have been avoidable, the manner in which it was done was woefully inadequate, manipulative, and undignifying to me or even others involved in this affair. The church already had a reputation for being a “pastor killer”, and my affair just reinforced and amplified it.

Eventually, a few months later, we met with the chairman of the elder board, not to argue the issue, but to share our hearts so he could hear the pain that this type of decision caused in us. By the end, he apologized for the manner in which things were handled, and promised that he would initiate some steps in the firing process so that issues would be more equitably handled and would not come across as brutal or harsh.

As to your own heart and recovery, here’s what God has shown me since then. God took me and moved me to a new church that is more home to me than any I’ve served in for the last 10+ years, where I minister to people in areas of my delight and strength, and most of all, my family has made strong connections and friendships with people in the church.
I’ve also discovered that I became driven in my ministry outlook, because I did not ever want to be fired again. I found myself saying that it’s better to just work hard and please people instead of pace myself and be intimate with Jesus, and that is a lie from the pit of hell. It’s been almost 3 years now, and I am still peeling back the layers and asking Jesus to go deeper into my heart in this matter and draw out the dark thoughts and transform them into something redemptive. I’ve forgiven the major players, but the issue is now to see God more fully transform me in my inner man because of this situation. He is at work in me on this, but the deeper works are the longer and harder ones that take place. So don’t be surprized that it might a recurring item for months, and that even 2-4 years later, God is pulling out pieces for you to examine in your heart. That’s OK, and it is part of his refining process in our character. I find it a good thing for Jesus to pull out these pieces and encourage me to grow closer to him through it.
Don’t be afraid to express anger, bitterness, fear, and outrage to trusted othes around you. And don’t be surprised if you feel those things come out again and again for a while. God is not afraid of your pain, nor your responses to it. Let him have it--he can take it. And amazingly, he loves you just as much after you’re done venting and ranting as before. And he will take care of you. My prayer is that you see his hand of provision on you over the next year, and that you see his intimacy through this pocess so you can recover and find wholeness and grace and live as a follower of Christ even after a painful affair like this one.

I have mixed feelings about Ken’s response.  “You were part of a community for 10 years and almost no one knows about what happened.” Trust me, if you have been part of a church staff for 10 years, there is a lot going on behind the scenes in a situation like this. 

Every staff member has their fans and their detractors.  One hopes the former greatly outnumber the latter.  Those who had a special relationship with Janet are hurt as well and still trying to process what they may feel is an injustice too.  And there is talk. For the victim there is, unfortunately, the desire to know what is being said and “right” any wrongs.  That’s human nature.

Staff know you better than anyone.  Sometimes they don’t respond because (1) they don’t have a clue what to say, and (2) they may fear for their own jobs as well.  And after you have been gone for awhile, sad as it is, staff get back in the throes of their own challenges and schedules.

There are also two sides to every story, so we’re working from the disadvantage of not knowing what the specific issue or long term history was in this situation.  However, there is no denying that “termination at will” without a severe reason (immorality, heresy, etc.) is not the path any church should ever take.  We should be wiser and more compassionate than the world in these areas...and many secular companies would not take the same approach with their employees.  It leaves the staff member with the feeling they have embezzled funds from the church...or worse.  It’s not Christ-honoring.

The reality is, however, that some church leaders are unable to admit they made an error in the way they handled things.  An injustice was done, and never righted.  It may still never be “righted.” So what do you do?

My personal opinion is that a letter is not a good alternative.  Unless, of course, you simply write it to get out all of your feelings...and then destroy it.  That can be therapeutic.  But if you seriously consider the example of Christ in any situation such as this...you will realize that he suffered tremendous injustices...more than you or I could ever experience...and he absolutely did no wrong in his life or in his response to the injustice.  Peter reminds us of that when he talks of what kind of behavior truly finds favor with God.  And it specifically refers to suffering unjustly (I Peter 2:18ff.)

As a side note, unfortunately for Christian workers, many states allow churches to be exempt from unemployment insurance, which puts a double burden on the staff member who is fired.  Another injustice.

Not everything in this world can be made right this side of eternity.  However, brokenness and heartache are also part of the pruning process God allows us to go through to deepen our intimacy and dependency on Him.  It’s actually an act of love...even when it doesn’t feel like it.  It’s when we most identify with Christ as well.  And the goal is to conform us to the image of his son.  It’s the process that hurts. 

God can and will redeem every situation for our good.  It’s a matter of trust.  “Will not the judge of all the earth do right?”

Janet is wise to want to “guard her heart.” Satan will continue to bombard her mind with the sense of injustice.  But God is greater...if she will allow him to bring necessary healing.

And by the way...I speak from experience.  Two and a half years of unemployment after being asked to resign without cause from a large church. A stroke since then.  Several interviews...but no new job.  Yet God has continued to consistently provide, and healing continues to be a meaningful part of the process.

It’s not easy, Janet.  It hurts.  Often deeply.  But God’s grace is greater.  People are watching you.  They want to see Jesus.  Give them hope for their own hurts.

Something like this happened to me September 3 in West Africa.  Our NC-based humanitarian relief/evangelism organization had informed us a few weeks earlier that they had replaced and demoted me.

I and my wife wrote a rebuttal. We used first person, but our mistake was making it too lengthy. They didn’t have time for it.  Our major mistake was using second person, “You did this, you did that to us.” Not productive, because for my supervisor it became a personal attack and a “dirty letter.” The upper level bosses were obliged to defend him.

Meantime the real issues were lost in the melee, the secondary place of evangelism in an organization that said evangelism was first place. My contract was terminated. They told me to get on the next plane.  My pregnant wife was in FL for an ultrasound, so I packed everything myself and left in four days. We had to leave most of it.

The nationals thought we’d done something immoral or worse. Our local church in SC was glad we’re home but confused as to why we were back early. This is a small town where everybody’s business is front page.

It has been hard; we both have dealt with depression. We stood up for the right thing, and we would do it again, but I feel hurt by God. A subsequent stateside meeting with the organization’s bosses was positive. They admitted mistakes, are covering our medical for the baby, and paying one of our contracts out.

The bright side: We’re home for the holidays with our first baby boy on the way!

From personal experience:
1. There is life and ministry after termination, although it doens’t necessarily happen quickly or easily.
2. Don’t quit your spiritual disciplines even though you don’t feel interested. I found wonderful consolation in the Psalms. I read the Psalms each month for a number of years and journaled my thoughts.
3. Little will be accomplished by contacting the church of your situation because there is likely more to your termination than presented. A wise sage remarked, “There are two reason for every event - the stated reason and the real reason.”
4. Work through your emotions. But don’t let them get the upper hand. Allowing your hurt to become disillusionment or bitterness gives this person the upper hand and cripples you for the rest of your life.
5. Interviewing for a new position shortly after termination is difficult because the search team can feel your anger and disappointment. Neither of these emotions make an attractive pastor.
6. Look for alternative income sources while you heal. The change can be beneficial to your mental health.
7. Keep close to your dearest friends. Isolation is an enemy to moving forward.
8. There’s no 4-step procedure to perform to get this behind you. It will require concerted effort to let this go (forgive). One day will be hopeful, the next pitiful. Persevere!!!

Mark

Look at what the church has become!  Youth Pastors especially had better get used to this kind of treatment.  In the area where we pastored the life expectancy of a youth pastor was 8 months.  At the last church we were at one of the kids there who is now 20, commented that she has had 9 youth pastors since she has been there.
Dear Friends it is a sign of the times we live in and a sign that Judgment is going to begin in the house of the Lord! Because He is coming back!! This kind of behavior is happening to people all over this nation.  You will find that you will get treated better in the secular business world than the church!
Please don’t be downcast at what kind of treatment we have gotten, though painful and though it takes some time to get over, remember that Jesus said, “when they persecute you, remember they persecuted me first.” Sometimes the Lord will take you out of a place because He has something better for you or He has another assignment.  He will take you out of a place kicking and screaming if you are not careful to be in prayer during your time there and listening to His leading.  Maybe if you look back you could sence some times that you felt that it was time to move on, but for what ever reason maybe money, love of that location, love of the kids, not willing to rock the boat, you stayed.  The point is to not look back at what is behind but to press on towards the mark that call us ever higher in Him.
We will continue to see things like this happening in our organized churches as the Holy Spirit is being greived more and more in those buildings.  It is the absence of His presence that causes behavior like this.  Especially if you are the one being faithful to Him, and not compromising His word.  Your “fire” will make them feel cold! Getting you out is the only way that the conviction of their lifestyle is eased.
Continue on in His calling on your life.  Don’t worry about medical bills, mortgages, what you will eat or wear.  He wants to take care of you and you can only do what you can do.  Keep a good attitude with the joy of the Lord being your strength!  Rise above this world and its’impressions of you.  Jesus wants to be your all in all!!

This situation will continue until Jesus returns.I empathize with you Janet , as I was “asked to leave” because the campus ministry I was involved in was on “company time”.The church in America has become a “business” and only pretends to do the work of Christ. It is a front for egos and salaries and self gratification. I contend we need a revolution! A return to the power and strength of the Holy Spirit and a tearing down of the “institutional” Church(sic).........I pray you will become like me...not bitter....but motivated.....motivated to give MORE of your heart and life to Jesus.....May God Bless you and be with you in this time.Robert

All of the comments, including one that was very angry reflect what will swirl around for years. I’ve gone through similar experiences and can fully relate. Two things you can find in scripture have been a guide for me. (1) Always remain faithful to God no matter the circumstances (2) Always move forward.
People involved in ministry can get locked into that as a “profession” and then employment fears can lead to compromise or cutthroat behavior. I went back to school to get a “tentmaking” skill and have never regretted it. I always looked for ministry opportunities, but could always make “tents”. Even now, by being frugal when making “tents”, God has provided the means for my wife to work on a Ph.D. while I explore various outreach ministries and neither of us currently has a job.
So, my advice is to move forward (which might involve a “tentmaking” skill. And keep your faith strong, which is so important in these end times that Jesus questioned whether there would be faith on the earth when He returned. There are a lot of little people out there who are bullies and who lord it over others but the best way to shrug it off is to move beyond them. (I’ll be praying for you).

I am amazed and encouraged by the article account and the comments.  For my husband and I have also been used and abused in ministry, after 15 years of faithful service.  No severence pay either. Loss of health insurance is soon coming. Basically church leaders and people really don’t know what they want in a Pastor.  They hire you for several qualifications and reasons.  And then when you give them what they ask for, they change their mind.  And turn against you!  They want a Bible expositor, for example, so the Pastor preaches the Word and most of the congregation get angry because you are pointing out sin issues and needs to change.  They ask for development of a private Christian school.  You make efforts for years to develop it, then they complain about the commitment that is needed.  It is hard to hear about a Senior Pastor “firing” their assistants in such a manner.  It should not be this way in the church.  It is also horrible that the congregation basically “fires” their pastor because they don’t care to follow him anymore. Turn to gossip and slander against their Pastor, until he has no recourse but the resign.  That decision is out of love for the flocks, hopefully to stimulate them to examine their hearts.  But the person to loose is the Pastor and family.

This URL was sent me by a friend who knows I’ve been through the same thing - only with a bit of a twist.  Working as a female pastor in a large church, I had been trained for over 3 years to fill in for the Pastor who ministered to the 50+ crowd in the congregation. At the time of their retirement it was anticipated by myself and many others, that I would naturally be considered for the position.  One day I was brought into the Administrator’s office and told “Your employment relationship with us is terminated effective immediately.” I was given 45 minutes to clear out my office, hand in my keys and leave the building. When I inquired as to what I had done wrong I was told “Nothing - in fact we’ve been very happy with your service.” The bottom line, and I was told this with a witness in the interview, was that they wanted a male to do the job so they terminated me. 
I must admit I went through various stages of disbelief, anger, grief, etc., and even contacted my lawyer to let him know what had happened and what I needed to do to protect myself (the practice of this church has been to sully the reputation of fired personnel after the fact to keep the churches reputation “clean"). 
In the end, the Lord took me through a (now) 2 year path of healing - I’m still healing - and I came to realize that each of those stages was necessary so that He could do some open heart surgery in me. God is my justice - humans cannot be trusted for justice as our hearts are not like His. But every trial, every fire we encounter refines our characters so we begin more and more to reflect the One who chose God’s will rather than human justice. 
May the Lord bring you to a place of peace, Janet, of healing AND of provision.

I offer this from the employer’s perspective.  Having served as the head of the same ministry for 23 years with 50 employees...there is no easy way to deal with the release or termination of an employee.  Saying to much can get you into legal trouble.  Taking too much time can build alliances and divide the ministry.  Not taking long enough, or not giving fair warning engenders injustice.
It seems the problem began for Janet when the administration changed.  There were probably wrongs on both sides.  All our staff serve “at will” and earn their positions every day.  Janet should have taken the initiative to communicate with the administration and insist upon regular evaluations...especially if she suspected that there were problems.  But since that is “water under the bridge” I would encourage her to close the door on the past and work harder at making those alliances in a new ministry.

I first read Janet’s story when she posted it on Oct 14, 2004. I was disturbed that quite a lot of people passed by her story then without showing concerns. But I’m somehow glad that Todd has raised the issue today as the main focus.

I’ve read through most of the responses. Yet, I suppose Janet ought to be assisted materially and financially. This is a Christian community. Our love should go beyond words of encouragement.

Todd, are you reading?