Over the last few months of having a break from a vocational church role, I have returned to visit several of the churches I have previously served. Some pastors would say that it is best not to visit a ministry once God has moved you elsewhere. I want to speak into that. Because I have served in part-time, full-time, and interim roles, I want to speak to my experiences and offer some helpful thoughts surrounding if and when it is appropriate to visit previous ministries.
When is it appropriate to visit a former ministry?
- Upon invitation. This one stands to reason, but these invitations are either celebratory or moments of sadness. Celebratory moments often include homecoming/church anniversaries, new building/renovation dedications, or other historical moments in the life of a church or church member. Sad moments are primarily funerals. Whatever the occasion, always do your best to honor the current pastor and staff, giving no opportunity for those you previously served to belittle them.
- When you left well and have an open door to revisit. It is always best to let a considerable amount of time go by and keep the visits to a minimum. To the best of my knowledge, every church I visited over the last several weeks fits into this category. The occasional drop-in once every few years or longer lets remaining members know you still care about them and the church ministry. It gives you as the former pastor or staff member a chance to celebrate both God’s work in the past and present.
When is it best to never return?
- When the chemistry of the church is far from what you left. This could be anything from a merger to a vastly different congregation due to the amount of time that has lapsed since your departure. Two churches I served have dissolved, while others are so vastly different that there would have been no connection had I visited.
- When the circumstances surrounding your departure were tense. This could vary from the congregation mishandling your departure to you as the former pastor or staff member not leaving well. Maybe the circumstance was beyond your control, but return visits to these churches would cause you, your family, or your former ministry to revisit hurt that was better left alone.
For me, these visits were a reminder that labor for the Lord is never in vain. While life is busy and prevents us from maintaining connections, this does not mean that those from the past do not appreciate your past ministry. You often find that they keep up with you, thanks to social media, and celebrate your current developments.
These visits remind me that all the redeemed will one day worship together forever with the One who died and rose again for us. Though the trials of ministry can be rather painful, it will be worth it all. Praise God for these precious opportunities to celebrate what God has done and is doing in these former places of service!
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