When Is it Time to Leave?

From Bill Easum

It is always hard to know when it is time for a pastor to move on from an existing church that is not doing well when you arrive. But what I can tell you is that 99% of the turn arounds begin the first year and the church is turned around by the second or third year. Of course there is the one percent. What I do suggest is that you set a deadline. By such a date, I want to have accomplished the following or I move on, that sort of thing. If I were doing this, I would take the Unfreezing Moves book and say, If I cant get a group of people to grow deep over the next 18 months, its time to move on. Then I would say if the church has not turned around in 18 months and is not growing in worship, it is time to leave.

1.                  Before You Move, John Cinonca, 2004

2.                  Pastor in Transition, Hoage & Wenger, 2005