I think that we need to draw upon the liturgical roots of our faith when we are responding to the painful event of a pastor being fired. First, I want to focus on the pastor who is fired. A colleague with whom I shared this idea cautioned me that sometimes the emotions are so raw at such a time that s/he might not be open to such an experience. I agree that what I am suggesting is only a resource that should be ready at the appropriate time.
What I am suggesting is that when that wounded person is ready, the church, in this case through some trusted colleagues, need to be able to offer his or her pain up for healing in a manner that draws upon the resources of our faith. In essence, the faith should not abandon him or her at the time of their need, and like the paralytic lowered through the roof to Jesus, sometimes the faith of the friends is what can move us to healing.
The service I imagine is one offered by colleagues in the church that the wounded pastor trusts. It draws upon the tradition of a service of wholeness or healing. Surrounded by those who care for him or her, the pastor is provided a sanctuary in which s/he can give voice to their feelings of confusion, anger, and hurt. As the psalmist reminds us, these raw feelings are very appropriately lifted to God in uncensored prayer.
Next, if that pastor is ready, s/he may also want to own any personal failings that were part of what led up to this event. Owning our responsibility doesn’t excuse the behavior of others but simply allows us to grow from the experience.
Like the psalms of lament, this service doesn’t conclude with the expression of pain but moves through it to the promise still held out to us by God. Even if it is very hesitant at this point, the pastor is encouraged to seek discernment of God’s call that is still a part of his or her life. It would be appropriate to build on the vows of the original call and have a reconfirmation of God’s call in the person’s life.
Finally, feeling the hands of his colleagues upon him or her, there should then be prayers for healing to conclude the service.
