Changes O' Plenty!
by Surly Dave
Well, a little more in the ole "Changes" department. This last Sunday, my Pastor announced that he was leaving. It wasn't that much of a shock, but a shock none the less.
Spiritually, I understand that the (or a) church isn't built on a man, but on Jesus.
Emotionally, it's been a roller coaster the last few days. I'm not afraid of what will become of the little church I belong to. Maybe we will raise up new leaders from within. Maybe we will bring someone else in. Maybe we will dissolve. Who knows? My wife and I will keep praying and see where God leads us.
One of my concerns is the relationships. I hope that the friendships and relationships we have built weather whatever happens to the legal structure that is called a 'church'. In other words, I hope that the community holds up regardless of whether we have a traditional looking church. Does that make sense? Let me try it this way: The relationship and communal factor are more important than if we have the classic Sunday morning get together with music and a message.
Not that I'm against Sunday morning meetings, music, and messages. Perhaps someday I'll go deeper into it, but not today.
The greatest source of angst for me is the unfinished business. I had a friend and mentor that just decided to up and leave. I guess I'm feel abandoned, like the rug has been pulled out from under me. My struggle is to keep my anger in check, and to constantly plumb my heart to make sure bitterness and/pride doesn't take root.
So there. Yet another peek into my soul.
Update:I talked to my pastor this evening. Once I worked through my personal disappointment and frustration, we found some level ground and had a pretty good talk. The one thing that really stood out is that if this is God's call, then we should rejoice and support him. I'm going to assume that God is indeed calling him to move on, and that leaves me no ground for
speculation regarding his motives.
Church in Transition
by Surly Dave
I have decided that I am going to blog the transition of the church I attend as the pastor leaves and the members pick up the keys and take ownership.
I'm not naming the church or the pastor because I don't think that's important. I also don't want anyone to lay down judgment on the other people who attend, or the pastor who is leaving. What I think is important is watching to see if the body takes ownership of the church, or choose to close it down.
Close it down? Shut down a church? Unheard of! Some might be shocked at the notion, but I challenge you with this: Maybe God called all these people together for a season, and is about to disperse us. Perhaps what we have learned about community and relationships will make us blessings to other churches.
Take ownership? What's that all about? It's kind of like this: If you have been whining that your church needs a better children's ministry, or a missions trip, or even the hedges pruned, then maybe it's time for someone to do something about it, and that someone is you. It's easy to play Sunday Morning Quarterback from the seats.
See, I'm in a position in the church, along with a couple of other guys, to take control. But I don't want that. The other guys don't want that. We want to see the body, the church, be the church.
I'm not asking for pity or sympathy or anything like that. I think that what we are going through may be an encouragement to others.
Christianity, Church in Transition
Church In Transition: A Project Managers Perspective
by Sweeter Half
My surly husband is right in the sense that this has been an emotional roller coaster. This whole church in transition thing really threw me for a loop. On Monday, when I was supposed to be focused on the many important actions on my list of to dos, I was amazed at how much of my brainpower was being chewed up thinking about how our pastor presented us (meaning the church body) the gift of the church that he and his family so sacrificially planted and nurtured for the last 10 years.
Tonight, I questioned his analogy of it being like "picking up the keys" as if the church were something as easy to drive as say a used car perhaps. It's not that easy, both Surly and I have acknowledged that. But then again what is easy?
When a teenager learns to drive a car it isn't as automatic as it is for someone who's been driving for nearly 20 years or more. They need to be fully engaged. Their eyes are being trained to focus on the road ahead as well as any obstacles that would appear around them. Their ears need to be trained on their instructor (yes this is a situation where a teen learns the value of listening to their parents). The young driver is also aware with their hands and feet. Just learning the rocking motion of their feet as they move from gas pedal to break and adjusting their hands to the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock principle takes some awareness. Basically, a young teen driver, who wants to stay on the road, is fully engaged with their whole body.
I think it is the same for our little church. If we want to make a go of it we need all of the members to get engaged. We can't find our way as a body without those who have the gift of vision. We won't make it if our ears aren't attuned to God and to the valuable wisdom of those God may bring to help us. It will also take the hands and feet of all who are involved to truly make a go of things.
Whether or not we can pull off the kind of full-body engagement to make a go of things is to be seen, but in order for us to really grab hold of the keys and take our little church for a drive we're going to need everyone’s gifts to do it.
This brings be to my Project Managers perspective. I'm a marketing communications project manager by day and in my role I assign work to people who are gifted to do various tasks. Each individuals role is specific, important, and rarely interchangeable. I think it is the same in our congregation.
To make a go of it as a body, I believe there are three things that need to be in play:
1) People need to understand their giftings.
2) The body needs to acknowledge their giftings.
3) People need to do the things that God has gifted them to do.
If we can do these three things, I think we'll make it as a church. But, as Surly said, I don't want to force it. God's going to have to be our "driving instructor". Without his coaching, we may run off the road.
Church in Transition: The Pastor's Letter
by Surly Dave
Here is an edited letter from my Pastor to the congregation. I'm posting it with his permission. I've removed the names of people and the name of the church because, as I've said before, that's not as important to me as chronicling the heart of the transition.
Most of you know that this past Sunday I announced that I will be leaving this church. Even as I wrote that sentence, my brain locks up from the surge of emotions that come. I know from responses I’ve heard that, for some of you, this news s a shock to your system. My wife and I were certainly not prepared for the turn of events that precipitated this change, so I imagine it was unsettling for you as well.
To answer some of your basic questions, I want to offer some responses that may help you process this change:
Q-Why are you leaving?
A-In a nutshell, I’m leaving because God is asking me to. Some have wondered if I’m tired, discouraged, frustrated, etc…all of those are the normal emotions and experiences of regular life and church life, but in NO WAY or FORM would I let those motivate me to make such a change. Negative emotions rarely propel you towards a positive decision. I am simply doing my best to say to God, “…as you wish”. The Lord spoke very clearly that He was going to “move me on”, and through much prayer and a series of confirmations over the past four weeks, my family and I are clear that God has a new adventure in store for us and for the people of this church.
Q-What will happen to this church?
A-It has been and remains my deepest prayer that God will lead all of us through these changes. My vote is that this church would continue…I see all kinds of good reasons and possibilities in that… mostly because of the people who make up this church. What kept me going at this church were the people and community we have.
This church's future now rests on you as individuals and as a body to hear a fresh and clear call from God. It is imperative that you listen carefully to what God is saying to you as a member of this church. Over the past 10 years, it has been my burden to instill into the people of this church that we all are the Church. We all do the work of the ministry, and we cannot rely on one single person or small group to carry the load for everyone. We each have a responsibility to press in to hear what Jesus wants to say to His church.
Q-What would happen if we decided to continue?
A-First of all, I offer you my support and coaching. I have deliberately made arrangements to be available over the next year if you’d like that. Secondly, it is important to recognize that God is calling us all into a new future. We need to seek Him for clear plans and purposes. The shape and form of this church will undoubtedly change – it may even disappear, but we can be certain that as God moves us it will be toward greener pastures! God has never taken his hand away from the people of Harvest. His desire for us is to conform more and more into the image of Jesus, and sometimes that takes moving us around to give us those opportunities. Please pray for the Lord to clearly communicate His plan.
Q-How can we make this a good transition?
A-The biggest challenge I see is managing the spectrum of our emotions. There is loss here. There is disappointment. There are a lot of questions that emerge from these changes. We can’t ignore those…in fact, to ignore them gives place for them to rule over us in a negative manner. So, the first challenge is to present and release those to God. He knows. As you bring those thoughts, questions, and feelings to God, release them; don’t rehearse them. The Psalmist illustrates this over and over again in his “journal” to us.
We need to listen carefully to what our hearts are experiencing and how God may desire to touch that. Moves like this bring us into a vulnerable place, but the Lord loves to minister to us there. Working to be still and listening for His words can bring great peace and transformation to your heart. I am praying earnestly for all of us to sense God’s great heart for us.
His word says, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 2:32)
Finally, I want to share my heart with you. My ministry is largely driven for the quest of family. Part of that is because I grew up longing for real family. I can honestly say that I have experienced the greatest depths of that here at this church. To leave is a call, not a joy. You guys have been deeply woven into my heart.
Somehow in the gift of family, God has seen fit to have a transitional flow…babies turn into kids who grow into teens who soon leave the nest while parents become grand-parents and ultimately pass on to the other side. All those changes and transitions bring challenge and potential blessing. I don’t think God would plan for it unless it ultimately winds up for our good. Here, we are facing a similar transition. For me, I am fixing my eyes on a Creator who is continually working all things together for good. I have to. I invite you to as well.
It has been my honor and privilege to serve you and for that I am deeply grateful.
Together in Christ,
Pastor
Christianity, Church
Church in Transition: Week 2
by Surly Dave
This Sunday we met in the usual place, enjoying worship and bringing ourselves to God in praise. The Pastor preached out of Acts 1, discussing the period between when Jesus went up to the Father and Pentecost.
Acts1:7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Then he was taken up.
The guys went back to Jerusalem, where they picked Mathius as replacement for Judas, and they spent a lot of time together.
Acts 1:14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
The disciples lost their leader, and now they were waiting to see what was next.
Now, Pastor's emphasis was on the meeting together and waiting on God. This is good stuff. I think that during anytime of transition, praying and waiting on the Lord are paramount. How else are you going to do the right thing? As I have said in my previous post, we don't want to muscle it up: We want to walk with the Lord and do what he calls us to do. So, while waiting on God, do we feel called to be part of this church, or to move on.
So the challenge laid down was this: Are you in or not? If your in, we need you to jump in with both feet. If not, we want to honor your doubts. If your not in, then we want to bless you as you leave. No hard feelings, no bitterness.
The Pulpit team met and put together a schedule for preaching for June. I'm up on the 4th and possibly the 25th. So, if your praying people who are following this spell binding, gripping tale of a Church in Transition, well, your prayers are appreciated.
I don't think a lot of people are following the story, because my traffic has dropped off since I started it. I guess I should increase the snarkiness level.
Christianity, Church
Church in Transition: Further Letters
by Surly Dave
As some are aware, I have been blogging about the church I am part of. The Pastor, who planted the church, is moving on, and now the body that is left has to answer some tough questions. This is a letter sent out last week which encapsulates the questions at hand. The names of people and places have been changed because, well, it doesn't matter as much as the chronical of how the people of the church react, and what becomes of us.
Hi everyone:
This past Sunday we continued to talk about God’s plans for the church. As the service closed, I asked people to respond to me this week with a sense of how God was speaking to them personally…basically one of three responses:
1: I am sure about my call and commitment to the church.
2: I am not sure.
3: No I do not feel called into this next chapter of the church's history.
Please respond to me this week and give me a sense of what God is saying to you. I know we have been processing a lot with the Lord.
Some people have asked me various questions and I thought I’d share a number of thoughts with you:
1. I believe the church was created to express a fuller sense of what it means to be the church. We have never sought to duplicate what other churches have done, but rather took two things seriously:
a. Looked at what kinds of experiences we needed and could realistically supply that would help us become more like Christ.
b. Looked at how we could demonstrate the love of God to our surrounding community.
This doesn’t mean that we always “did it right”, but it does mean that we sought to live authentically and realistically. In this next season, it isn’t about how quickly we can provide certain programs, events or services, but rather how we can continue to help one another grow in Christ and demonstrate to others who watch us what that looks like.
Therefore, as you pray and ponder the church's future entreat Christ to express Himself fully through our body.
***(non relevant paragraph omitted)***
Please continue to pray for our transitions.
Peace and Grace,
Pastor
As far as I am concerned, I am sure about my call and commitment to the church. I am looking forward to the adventure of really stepping up to what I feel God as been putting on my heart and preparing me for.
My wife, however, is struggling a bit. She is a very structured person, and with out the Pastor, she feels that bones have been pulled from the chicken. She wants to be supportive of me as I start doing more of the preaching, but can't get past the lack of a firm "chain of command". I think that a pastoral person will rise up from with in our church, but I don't think we will become a single person focused church. We will see.
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