Ten Simple Things to Do When a
Person Is Leaving Your Ministry

1. Three questions must be answered when you make an announcement

a. Why?
b. What’s next for the person leaving?
c. What’s next for the ministry that he is leaving?

2. Have him list his responsibilities. No matter what your job description may say, his list of what he does becomes your master list for the transition of
responsibility.

3. Make sure you do not end up with all the responsibility transferred to you. Chances are the replacement person will not do the exact same job. Some responsibilities may be transferred to other people. Do that as soon as possible.

4. Make sure you clearly divide the items that are personal and ministry related. Find out if the ministry has used up any of his personal things; the ministry should replace those items.

5. Leaving can be a difficult time. Don’t be afraid to talk about the move and the transition.

6. Be genuinely excited about the future of the person who is leaving. Ask questions about how the transition is going for him.

7. Everybody is invaluable; nobody is indispensable.  Remind everyone that when a person leaves you are losing a valuable member of the team but that your team will make it without him.

8. Look forward. It is easy to find yourself looking down at your shoes as the person leaving is excited about a new future. Sit down with the remaining staff and talk about the future. What’s next? What is going to change? There is an exciting future for your staff as well.

9. Be understanding of odd schedule requests. Moving is not normal life. Be willing to tweak your work schedule.

10. Use a staff departure checklist to remind you of the little details you forget. Click here for one that you can use or start with if  you do not have one.