As a tech director, I don't think anything is as frustrating as someone leaving your team. After all the time and energy you have put into training and resourcing your team it can be easy to
It's always a good idea to ask the person why they are stepping down. And then listen.
take these things personally when someone decides that it is time to step down.
There are a lot of reasons why someone may chose to step down, but it is important for us to always handle these things with love and grace.As much as you might be tempted to try to get someone to stay, that can actually do much more harm than good. If someone stays but they really wanted to leave they will not only be miserable, but they will make everyone else on the team miserable, including you. So, just let them go graciously.
Ask why
It's always a good idea to ask the person why they are stepping down. And then listen. Maybe they are feeling overwhelmed. Maybe their life situation has changed. Maybe they are feeling called to serve in another capacity? In these cases, you can even help their transition to go smoothly or help them to get plugged into their new role.If the reason that they are leaving is something that you have the ability to correct. Do whatever you can to fix the situation.
It is important that every person that leaves your team does so with your blessing. Even if they are leaving on bad terms, turn the other cheek and move on.
Your willingness to make changes may change their mind, and they may decide to continue on your team after all.At times their departure may be caused by a conflict with another team member or yourself. These are usually the hardest to deal with. It may be easy to jump into defending yourself, but instead just listen in love and see if there is a way that you can bring peace to the situation. If there is any conflict, it is important that you work things out as much as possible before the team member leaves.
Bless them
It is important that every person that leaves your team does so with your blessing. Even if they are leaving on bad terms, turn the other cheek and move on. Make a commitment that you will not speak poorly about them and that the door is always open for them to return at a later date.It is easy to feel bad or try to manipulate them to stay, but it is always better to just let them go and keep a good relationship with the person, if possible.
Ultimately, people leaving is just a part of ministry. How we respond to team members stepping down is what separates a healthy team from an unhealthy one. If you handle this well, you will not only be honoring God, but you will be helping to launch this person into the next phase of their life.I believe that leading a team is not just a leadership role, but it is also a pastoral role. It is your job to love and care for the people on your team and when it is time for them to move on you can be their biggest cheerleader.