To be sure, they should be expressed in appropriate ways, but they do need time for expression. The second stage is anger. Some parishioners become angry at the pastor for leaving, and others get angry at whatever they think caused him to resign. Others already are angry because he waited so long. That anger must be resolved before a new pastor can be called with integrity.
Bargaining is the third stage of grieving.
Some members try to talk the pastor into staying longer. A few may even talk of a petition drive. Still others speak up in small cluster conversations or on the telephone, wondering what they could do to stave off so many pastoral resignations. Finally, reality sets in, and the fourth stage, depression, sweeps over the church. They will have to go through yet another lengthy search process.