Who Can Initiate a Change
for a Senior Pastor?

A pastoral change can be initiated by three entities.

1. The Local Church Personnel Relations Commission

The PCR will communicate to the stationing committee when there are valid reasons to ask for a pastoral change. These reasons should be in writing. This action should be done with the approval of the Board of Administration. This process prevents three or four people from having the power to make a pastoral change without wide support in the church. This kind of power play in churches has happened in the past and is not honoring to Christ.

The PRC must be careful not to misuse its power. A unilateral decision to request a pastoral change, without board leadership or congregational support, can lead to tensions within the church. Church tensions over pastoral relations can lead to a church split or a group of people leaving the parish when there is a pastoral change. People also leave because there is not a pastoral change. The PRC carries a heavy responsibility.

2. The Pastor

The pastor may ask the stationing committee to move him to a different church.

3. Stationing Committee

The stationing committee may ask a pastor to consider a change when his leadership gifts and style are needed elsewhere. Or, they may ask a pastor to move to another church when they assess that the present pastor-parish fit is not generating a healthy congregation.