BAND STUFF: when you have to let people go

This is one of the hardest things I know when it comes to leading a team. There are times when circumstances change, and you need to ask people to step down - or when people are struggling with sin stuff that means they really need to take time out. It doesn't matter what the reason, it still feels awful to sit down and talk to the people involved...But, it's part of what we are called to do when God asks us to take leading a team on.
Remembering that we are there to serve, and then reminding the guys we are talking to that they are there to serve is very helpful. It's not a personal thing - and it's really important to communicate that!
On the whole when I've done this in the past, the people involved have really caught that I'm not angry with them, or trying to side step them - but that's because they really got what their role was about. Having said that, we are all human, and there's an emotional reaction that happens either inwardly or outwardly depending on our personalities.
If you are a leader who has just had to step someone down, remember that a reaction isn't always the final outcome - don't be afraid to have the grace to wait and see where they land with the whole thing.
If you are someone who has been asked to sit it out for a while - don't forget that God is watching your heart more than your hands (your character more than your gifting) - that you get to worship him with the way you work this through... and that He has an amazing habit of opening doors when we yield ourselves to him!!
God bless you in this, I know it's hard...