What happens when a church no longer wants you? It's happening more and more in the U.S.A. Churches are firing pastors...even pastors who established that church, grew it, and have been there for years. It used to be that if a pastor stayed in one place for a number of years, it was a badge of commendation not just for that pastor, but for the church. In fact, they both had to be careful that idolatry didn't become an issue--people worshiping their pastor.
That's very seldom the case today. Churches become bored or disenchanted with their pastors at a pretty fast pace...or they begin resisting them--especially if they're trying to lead them in a new direction.
You have a choice. You can stay and try to combat the issues with truth or you can choose to leave. Neither choice is wrong. There may be a stronghold in the church which needs to be torn down and your husband may be just the man to do it. Just know going in that it will probably divide because truth is a sword. There will be leadership which will resist it, people in the church who will resist it, and friends who will resist it...which is the hardest of all. And you may find out just how few people want truth. That's the sad state of the Church today. On the flipside, it may surprise you to find out who is on the side of truth!
Or you can choose to leave. That's also a legitimate choice. You may have already fought a battle for truth for months or years and see no change. You know in your heart that things are not going to change and for you to stay will only create more division. And because you love the church and the people, you choose to leave. Honestly, it may be that God has taken you in a different direction than the church and you're the one who's changed...and your belief system no longer matches that of the church. In that case, it's definitely time to go.
Any of these scenarios is hard. It's hard not to feel abandoned or unloved--dispensable. But here's what you need to know. GOD has closed the door--even if it's by the fact that He's allowed it. And it's not to harm you. If He has closed the door, He has a plan...a good plan! He has not abandoned you, He loves you...YOU are His treasure. But so is the church you're leaving. The best and most gracious thing you can do is to keep loving that church, *don't speak badly of it, and honor the leadership and their decision. Just know that God has allowed it for a reason and keep your focus on Him, trust Him and follow Him. He will open a door. *I recognize there may be extreme situations which call for discipline, rebuke and stern warning for the church. And I'm certainly not an advocate of sweeping things under the carpet. This is assuming you've done everything you could to bring healing to the situation scripturally.
Andy & I were 9 months without a job. And I reminded him during that time that God would open a door for ministry. Our hearts were yielded to Him and we had our hands in the air and were yelling, "Pick us! Pick us!!!!" If He's told us to pray for workers for the harvest, how will He not use us if our hearts are open to any correction and we're eager to help? We recognized the next phase of our ministry might not be in a church and we were OK with that, too.
Spend your waiting time listening and allowing the Spirit of God to correct you, transform your mind, and give you direction. Forgive any offenses--wipe that slate clean! And be willing to do whatever it takes to provide for your family in the meantime. Trust Him to open a new door and yield your heart to His desires and follow your passions!
He's gonna take care of you....I promise.
AMEN!!!
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