The Rev. Dan Webster at Church Social Media Blog reports on a November 22 Twitter™ discussion of clergy cutting ties with people of their former cure:
Last week’s chat focused on professional and personal boundaries in social media. I mentioned how when I left a congregation as vicar, I would “unfriend” parishioners on my Facebook page. “When you leave, you leave,” I tweeted. Not everyone agrees.
He recommends a brochure from the Diocese of New York for guidelines on healthy leave-taking.
The Twitter stream reveals a variety of opinions about how detached clergy must be when they leave a position. Read it here.
I know of situations where the former rector could not stop meddling and needed to cut his ties. And I know of places where clergy are mature and have good boundaries who remain supportive members of the congregation – as I have found at my current call. Three retired clergy remain members, available for support and consultation but clear about telling people to talk to me about church issues.
What do you think? What is your experience?