I have worked out a theory for the shepherd’s firing. The letter demanding a plan from Tom and the shepherd cited a division. I believe the division was in the board – half the elders supported the shepherd and half supported Tom. (Incidentally, Tom saw the same thing.) The plan to fire both men gave the board a chance to come together in unity. All members lost equally (their preferred pastoral style) and then they can all make a decision together — bringing unity as they all choose a pastor.
I can understand this as a business decision. It makes “sense” in that context. There are several real problems with this though. First, the church is not a business. Second, Jesus said, “They will know you are my disciples by your love”, not by your good business.
The decision brings unity to the board. It brings great distrust to the Church. Yet again the Church shows the world a place that makes little sense, sacrifices its own, and is not a safe place to build relationships.