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# Following a Defining Pastorate
- URL: https://www.dashhouse.com/2009928following-a-defining-pastorate-html/
- Published: 2009-09-28T19:04:01.000Z
- Updated: 2022-08-15T15:30:48.000Z
- Author: Darryl Dash
- Tags: Blog, Church, #DashHouseCom, #wp

[Christianity Today interviewed Tullian Tchividjian](http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/septemberweb-only/138-41.0.html?ref=dashhouse.com) last week about an attempt to remove him as pastor. In March, Tullian became the second pastor in the history of [Coral Ridge](http://www.crpc.org/?ref=dashhouse.com), succeeding the late [D. James Kennedy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.%5FJames%5FKennedy?ref=dashhouse.com) who pastored there for 47 years. Tullian was approved as pastor with a 91% vote in March. On September 20, 69% voted against the motion to remove him. People are wondering how things could change so much in only a few months.

There has been lots written about the situation at Coral Ridge. I don’t really want to say a lot about that specific situation, except to say how much I’ve appreciated Tullian’s preaching and writing. I’m praying for that church as they move into the future. It’s a significant work, and they need our prayers. (Jim Belcher has [a post at Out of Ur](http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2009/09/the%5Ffragility%5Fo.html?ref=dashhouse.com) today on this topic.) Although I’m not close enough to be able to judge what happened, it seems inevitable that a transition like this would be a bumpy one even under the best possible circumstances.

The situation has caused me to reflect again on what it’s like to succeed a defining pastorate. I’ve done this at Richview myself, as my predecessor – a good man and a good pastor – significantly shaped the church over a 23 year period. The transition to a new pastor was incredibly difficult for the church simply because the previous pastor had been so significant to the life of the church. Add to that the inevitable mistakes that I as a new pastor made and you have a very tough transition.

Although I received a fairly strong vote to come as pastor, I’m sure that I wouldn’t have received more than 69% support in the early years if things had been put to a vote. In fact, the transition probably took eight years – twice what I would have guessed. It simply takes time.

[Spurgeon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles%5FSpurgeon?ref=dashhouse.com) pastored [The Metropolitan Tabernacle](http://www.metropolitantabernacle.org/?ref=dashhouse.com) for 38 years. After his death, the congregation experienced months of turmoil and almost split. When [Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyn%5FLloyd-Jones?ref=dashhouse.com) resigned from [Westminster Chapel](http://www.westminsterchapel.org.uk/?ref=dashhouse.com), the church struggled for some time. The same for other churches – [People’s Church](http://www.thepeopleschurch.ca/?ref=dashhouse.com) in Toronto, and [First Baptist Dallas](http://www.firstdallas.org/?ref=dashhouse.com) after [W.A. Criswell](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W.%5FA.%5FCriswell?ref=dashhouse.com).

Two reflections:

**Pastors need to prepare congregations for when they will be gone.** We need to avoid becoming [pastor-centered churches](http://blog.yanceyarrington.com/2009/09/27/the-pastor-centered-church/?ref=dashhouse.com). The more the ministry is built around the pastor, the more the church will flounder when the pastor is gone. Just last week I heard [Tim Keller preach a message](http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product%5FID=18992&ParentCat=6&ref=dashhouse.com) that gently encouraged the church to look beyond his own leadership in the future. Even when a pastor does this, by the way, the transition will still likely be hard.

This isn’t easy, but perhaps the most important work a pastor can do the longer he stays is to ensure the congregation isn’t dependent on him.

**We need to pray for churches in transition.** I believe in church planting, but I also believe in transitioning churches. But we shouldn’t underestimate the difficulties. If you know of a church that is in transition, pray for that church. They need the prayers. With the right kind of leadership, a lot of patience, and God’s help, they’ll make it through.