One of the most painful events for a pastor is when someone decides to leave the church. There is a certain feeling of loss. Some leave the church because they have been transferred and that kind of leaving is hard but stays pretty much in the catagory of loss. There are others that leave because in some way the church or most likely the pastor has disappointed them. They feel their needs will be better met at another church or at times no church at all. With these there is not just a loss but also a feeling of rejection. It is hard not to take it personally. I think that is why it is so difficult for a pastor. There are others who make public their reasons for leaving and try to get others to leave with them. Those are the most painful of all. I was thinking about a few of those people the other day when I was praying. I felt like God asked me a question in my spirit. I want to be careful here because God does not speak to me in an audible voice. It is more like an impression. The question was,"Joe, would you die for these people"? It did not take me long to respond. I said simply,"No". I always like to be honest with God. There was a long pause. I kind of expected God to be disappointed or tell me I should be willing, that I should be able to put the pain they caused behind me and love and forgive them. He didn't say any of this. After the long pause He said," I did". That was it. The end of the conversation. The thing that struck me is that it was no more difficult for God to love these people than it is for him to love me. It did not make me think these people were better than I had thought them to be but that I was worse than I thought I was. The gospel is a powerful thing in the hands of a mighty God. I got up from my chair a kinder and gentler and more humble man. Who would have thought it would be that kind of conversation that would ease the pain of rejection and disappointment. Maybe since the cross is the ultimate place of rejection it is the only place to take mine.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
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9 comments:
Hi Joe. Please know we pray for you and feel privileged to have such an open, honest, caring pastor.
See you tomorrow (even if it's on the big screen).
The LaNasas
Hi Joe. I can't imagine anyone leaving HCC because of you or any reason actually. Many more people come and stay because of you and your preaching. By the way, thank you for your Christmas Eve message - it was so clear and honest especially for my unbelieving relatives to hear.
Joe,
The only thing I can think of that is worse than people leaving is having the wrong people stay! Under God's leadership you have established a vision for HCC. My family and I are here because of where HCC is going. HCC doesn't go EVERYWHERE (thank God!). It's a little bit like a commercial airline carrier having a route to New York and people being angry because it doesn't go to Houston. Other carriers have flights going to Houston . . . but we're going to New York. I thank God from the depth of my heart that you have the wisdom to remain on course and keep HCC from being hijacked!!!
Finicky eaters are nothing new. The meals you provide satisfy me on a level I've never experienced before. Keep up the good work. Don't change your recipes. I thank God for you and the work you do for the kingdom.
I am not sure I understand the statement of the wrong people staying. Jesus died for them too. We are all sinners, and being in a church that teaches truth is where the "wrong" people should be. God's word does not return void. We are all at different stages of our spiritual walk with the Lord. Thankyou Lord for your grace!
Pastor
I feel sometimes people leave because they look for the church not only to give the answer but to do the labor of their christian life! I hope this year you see the wonderful deeds you have done. I work in a teen age sex offender treatment center and you and the other pastor's teachings keep me focused on the big picture every minute of every day. Thank You for all that you do and even the things you do not do others need to do the work also.
Hi Joe!
You are so very transparent, which is one of the things I love about you.....it is one of the very many ways God uses you. You don't mess around, you tell it like it is, it is a wonderful quality and quite scarce these days.
Remember, (and I know you know this!)Jesus was rejected almost everywhere He went while on this earth...and even now!
Here is a verse that has been of great comfort to me....
"When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way." Psalm 142:3
Sheri Heasley
Pastor,
I've only been coming to HCC a few months (a 35 minute drive!), but in that time I feel I have grown more spiritually than anywhere I have gone to church, mostly because of your messages. Look at how the church is growing - For every few you lose, you gain a lot more. Some people are not happy no matter what they do - with as many people as we have at HCC, you can't please everyone.
Earlier I wrote "The only thing I can think of that is worse than people leaving is having the wrong people stay!" Someone said they didn't understand what I meant by "wrong people." I imagine in any given year a hundred people stop attending HCC. There are probably a hundred different reasons that people separate themselves from the family. I suspect that a large number of people who now attend HCC used to attend a different church. I believe there are good ways and bad ways to leave a church.
We are all family and I want everyone to be a part of the family who wants to be a part of the family. However, I can imagine some scenarios when it is best for family to leave. For example, If my oldest teenager starts doing drugs and using their influence to entice my youngest teenager to participate in their offense it is time for the oldest to change or leave. I prefer that they change and stay. But if they refuse to change and insist on promoting things that are not healthy for the rest of the family, it becomes best for them to leave.
Indeed, we are all at different levels in our walk with God. Some find themselves in disagreement with leadership. Some disagree but don't create waves. Others attempt to hijack the family and attempt to get other family members to stage a rebellion. It is best for these people to leave.
I believe Joe and Jim are big enough for me to tell them if I disagree with something they are doing that is contrary to the bible. It is right for me to tell them. It is wrong for me to tell others the things I should be telling them. If I discuss the issues with them and they remain unconvinced, I need to leave without making any waves.
Joe, my brother,
If many rejected Jesus, so also many will reject you. If they reject you, they also reject "us." If all were staying, I might be concerned. Keep preaching the gospel, as you are, in season and out of season. You are a faithful man of God. Satan would have you believe otherwise. Lend him not your ear.
S
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