BY ABU HUSSEIN
SEATTLE—Old Pastor announced the successful completion of his Legacy Campaign three months prior to the arrival of New Pastor. The campaign took place with the intensity of an outgoing second-term president as Old Pastor sought to remind his members of his potential future contribution to the church if he remained there.
“I was concerned that members would forget all that I could have done for them which is why I embarked on this project as soon as I heard that the conference was going to retire me.”
The legacy campaign began in the privacy of the pastor’s office once he heard about New Pastor’s impending arrival.
“My members can now remember me for my creative ability to plan events. Of course, I prefer retirement but if the conference really needs me to stay due to all these plans, then who am I to refuse them?”
The Legacy Campaign involved planning multiple ministries after long periods of inactivity on Old Pastor’s part.
“My first plan was to have a health expo. It would conclude with a health seminar leading to some baptisms. I’m not trying to put any pressure on New Pastor, I’m just making the members aware of the exciting new events that I intend to do,” shared Old Pastor.
Other proposals involved conducting an end-of-the-year evangelistic series and a youth music festival. When asked if he had conducted any of these events, Old Pastor became defensive.
“No, these plans are yet to take place. That’s not the point. If I don’t get the chance to ever do these events, it’s not for want of planning; rather, it’s because of me having to make way for New Pastor. The members will know who to blame if my events don’t take place,” declared Old Pastor.
Old Pastor also resorted to pumping his church members with creative, new ideas in preparation for New Pastor’s arrival. He was simply trying to boost his legacy while guiding their expectations for New Pastor so that they would know what to expect.
“I don’t want to give them false hope that the new pastor will be decent or competent. Why raise my flock’s expectation that the new pastor might be better than me?”
Old Pastor successfully convinced the church board to approve dedicating a section in the church for the Old Pastor Pastoral Library which would celebrate his unrealized plans. The board also created a plaque which commemorated his commitment to planning new events for the church even though they never came to fruition.
The local conference was adamant however that New Pastor was under no obligation whatsoever to continue or execute Old Pastor’s plans.
Dancy Borerts, executive secretary was unequivocal about the conference’s stance on transitioning pastors. He stated tersely, “Old Pastor has until the end of the year to complete his programs. Old Pastor must adhere to our professional ethical guidelines by not making life difficult for the incoming pastor. Besides, what was he doing the whole time prior to his retirement announcement? He needs to know when to let go.”
