Exit Stategy or No Exit Strategy
Some will disagree with this advice on the grounds that if you are not fully committed to staying with a congregation, then at best you will hold back and at worst, you will impede the work of the Holy Spirit by your lack of total commitment. I hope I never do the latter, however I do think it is wise for clergy in this age to have an exit plan from the congregation. From day one, put aside a portion of money into savings for your next move. If Christ calls you to move, you have the power to do so. Some might say that if Christ wants you to move the means will appear. One could easily say that this advice is the preparation that Christ is giving now. With humility I must say, I don't know what is right and I suspect it really depends on the circumstances and personality of the pastor. We often don't like this kind of advice since I for one would like everything to be perfectly clear. We don't live in that kind of word, unless of course we deny the lingering power of sin which clouds our eyes. We only see through a glass darkly, unless we are blind all together, then we think we see clearly.
Exit Fund
Set up an Exit Fund. If things are really bad, set up a "Flee Fund". Even a $100 a month, will within a year pay for part of moving costs. If things are really bad, as fellow pastors to contribute. We often don' think of this because of the evils of pride. In some denominations this would be suicide, so ask pastors you trust from other denominations you know in the area. I think many pastors understand the circumstances.
Rebound Church
There are some congregations which are in undesirable areas, but are so loving, I think they exist to help pastors in trouble. One pastor lost his position with a Church and could not find one in the metro area. He was down to selling his furniture when he finally relented and went to a northerm aboriginal community. It had its challenges, but one of the elders said the community loved and appreciated him so much they would "break his legs if ever left." She was joking of course. He initially said he would only stay the 18 month commitment and he stayed 8 years. There are loving little congregations which would be graiteful if you stayed 6 months. Saying you feel called to serve a rural church or more remote rural church without leadership for a short time, until returning to something else is not a lie. The fact that you need to "get out of Dodge" and "head for the hills" to recover from a mean congregation is part of the untold truth too, but it need not be said. The remote congregation will keep "the wolves from the door" and if you are faithful to your calling be graiteful for the gift. If you are married and you spouce does not want the remote location, it will only be for a short while and being out of the Church fight could really help some relationship. I wish I had left my first charge much sooner, even if it meant going to the boonies. Better to be with the little brothers (and sisters) in the boonies and stay with the big barabarians in Babylon.
Letting Folks Know You Are Not Afraid to Leave
One of the best saying to use is this, "I will stay as long as I think it is good for the congregation to stay and faithful to the leadership Christ has given me." You serve because Christ has called you to serve. Serving means the upbuilding of congregations of faithful disciples who follow Christ and serve the world he loves. Faithful lay leaders need to know that if they do not deal with abusive members of the Church that you might out of good stewardship to your leadership (ie keep from becoming a mental case), you might just leave. This does not mean you threaten to leave, but just that it is an option. You also need to let those who in sincerity think it is time for you to leave, that you are open to this possibility. This may lessen their temptation to oust you. May. It is also good for you to know that you posting is temporary. Often we think the world is crashing down around us when we are in the middle of a church fight. That is foolish thinking. Yes, it is very painful, but Christ is already at work open doors for your exit, even if it is year away or the door has been waiting for you to use it for years. It is down right silly to think that one congregation is the totality of Christian calling or your pastoral calling. Even if you founded the church you are in, there is a time for the good of the congregation for them to be rid of you in order to grow. All pastoral relationships are temporary ... the congregants belong to Christ, not you. You are just a hired hand (sorry for the employee metaphor) or slave.
Conclusion
While it may be true that an exit strategy might disempower commitment, it might also lessen cowardliness. If your family is not threatened financially, you might just be able to say what needs saying more easily. You might just tackle one of the big stones in the congregation then bolt, leaving the congregation in a much better situation for the next pastor. This freedom might even give you the courage to risk more and with Christ's help win the day.