One of the toughest things about pastoring is people leaving your church. As a pastor, I don’t talk about it too much, but we all know it happens. Sometimes it is natural progression of time: job change, college, a move to be with family, etc. Sometimes leaving is a result of the church’s characteristics: teaching, music, children’s, life groups, etc.
In a small line of this week’s text, volumes are spoken:
“13From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.” (Acts 13:13, emphasis mine)
Prior to the second missionary journey a disagreement between Paul & Barnabas caused a split in leadership:
“36Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” (Acts 15:36-41)
Here some principles when I follow when people leave:
1. I will never give up on people: not them and not me.
2. The story is about Jesus. I will not make the story about them or me.
3. I expect people to grow for the better. I may not have the leadership they need, and they may not have the right gifting for TrueLife a this moment. Both of these can change. It did for John Mark.
4. TrueLifers are TrueLife Church; therefore, I choose not to attack people. I will not tear people down because all I will do is send broken people to other communities of faith. I will fuel people on their faith journey, and I will not be an anchor to their spirit or attitude.
5. God chose to give freewill to mankind, and I can not take that away. I will not take on a role that God chose not to take. I am going to honor God’s wisdom of giving humanity the ability to choose. I can not spend my days trying to manipulate the behavior of people. God doesn’t, and my goal is to lead like Him.
You never know how where God is going to take you on this adventure. Grumpiness does not travel well, so leave it behind.