Emphasis Preaching Journal

Clergy people have a variety of attitudes about the way in which they should relate to former parishes. Some maintain contact with individuals in their former congregations. Some retire and actually remain present in the parish where they had been serving. Many feel that it is best for them to move on and essentially break off all contact, with the possible exception of major anniversaries of the parish. A member of the laity once lamented that when a pastor leaves it is almost like a funeral, because you know you may never see that pastor again.