We've distributed this survey for three to four years running to get some type of reading on forced termination of pastors. In the past two to three years, we have noticed a decline of forced termination of pastors and staff members convention-wide. Gundy said the 1999 report mirrors common causes of forced termination of pastors and staff. Control issues regarding who was going to run the church topped the list. Fifty-five Missouri pastors experienced forced termination from their positions in 1999.
Counseling is offered to ministers and families who experience forced termination.
The convention will also sponsor a conference for pastors and staff members who have been terminated, as well as pastors or staff members who are dealing with different obstacles in their ministry. The Wounded Ministers Conference will take place Jan. 8-12, 2001. Mandy Crow is serving as an intern in the Missouri Baptist communications office. She is a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia.