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I sat in Starbucks for an hour this morning working. I couldn’t help but hear an overzealous man next to us express frustrations about his church to his friend across the table. I heard things like:
“I’m not going to split the church. I won’t let that happen.”
“We need a new name. Something simple but divisive. Nothing wordy.”
“He might work in this environment but not that. We don’t know what happened in his last church.”
Wow. I couldn’t help but have many memories flood back from a few years ago. I don’t talk about us moving churches a lot. I don’t think it’s helpful or appropriate. But it’s been three years and I have some hindsight. I sense that someone needs to hear this.
Be the change you want to see.
I know so many churches are wrestling through this whole post-modern thing. I’ve watched for the last 10 years. I’ve been a part of some messy stuff and some really fantastic times. I truly believe we ought to be the change we want to see in our churches.
But.
Sometimes you need to be the change that needs to leave.
Sometimes God just has a new church for you and all the wrestling and new things you feel are preparing you for a new place where those things are already present.
I don’t mean to say when you are unsatisfied you should start church hopping. Because I’ve seen that happen.
I don’t mean to say you should leave mad. Because love covers a multitude of sins and perhaps simply offering forgiveness could assuage a lot of the frustrations you are feeling.
But sometimes we do all that and then the wrestling doesn’t stop. God puts a desire for something new, but it’s so hard to let go of the old. Leaving our church was one of the hardest things we’ve ever done. I miss the people, but I know that God has us right where He wants us.
If you’re wrestling, stay faithful to the process. Don’t leave when you’re mad. Change where you can. But ultimately, leave when you should.
Thank you, a thousand times thank you for this post. That someone for whom it was written was me :)Need prayer for guidance in the process. Have a lovely weekend!
christie recently posted…keep looking forward.
Thank you for confirming that, Christie. I pray your transition goes well if needed.
We move around a lot due to the military so we have been part of many church families throughout the years. This has allowed to experience well-run churches, churches filled with catty members, and true houses of the Lord. I really enjoyed your post and think you make great points about when not to and when to leave. Additionally, I think Be The Change is an attitude many should apply to all facets of life.
Good point, Karen!