CONCLUSION
This journey has not been an easy one, and I do not think it should be. I hope that there are not many others that face the decision and consequence that I did, but if they do I hope they will consider a couple of things: Those that know you best should believe in you the most. During times like this be sure to stay in touch with those that you know believe in you. There is such a benefit in having people that believe in you more than you believe in yourself. In the days of self-doubt and questioning they are the voices that God uses to remind you that He is leading you. The more time that passes after the closure, the more you remember your favorite parts of the plant; it is easy to get sucked into nostalgia that makes you wish you had not made the decision you did. In those moments it is helpful to have the habit of journaling. My written words remind me of a more honest perspective. In the end I started SRC with a pure heart in obedience to the Lord, and I closed SRC with a pure heart in obedience to the Lord. That is enough to please Him. That is enough to make my work there acceptable to Him.
Jesus used the Luke 13 parable of the fig tree to teach us that sometimes we just do not understand why things happen, and that more often than not we incorrectly attribute causes, even spiritual causes, to them in hopes of making sense of it. There are things that are out of our control, but still part of God’s plan. Why did the fig tree bear no fruit? Why was a fig tree planted in a vineyard? Perhaps he would have had more success planting grapes. We will never know all the answers, but I trust the Lord. The effect of our season at SRC is one that can only be measured in eternity. All we have now is obedience. These are my reflections of the events and lessons I learned in leading Severn River Church to its closure at the end of 2010.
Thank-you Pastor Ben for your transparency. I am in a situation where many are ready for the church to close except the patriarch of the family that makes up the majority of the congregation.
ReplyDeleteI am in a unique position as an outsider hired to turn around a church that I can see has very limited money and no vision for the future. The belief is that only the Holy Spirit closes church is continually offered to me as proof that the church is to remain open. Many voices have stood in the pulpit not needing to speak the truth because they are visiting pastors. The church has hung on but for ten years has only been able to secure visiting pastors 50% of the Sundays. The people are tired and need permission to rest from running worship every week.
You chose the unpopular road at a personal cost. You did what a pastor should do - helping the people grow as they glorify God. Those that you have released are now free to use their experiences in new ways. I pray that they have begun healing and seeing that what they learned in their church was part of God's journey in His mission.
Thanks for being honest and reflective - it is helping me process my own role and reminding me that listening to God is the best I can do in service to others.
Dear Anon,
ReplyDeleteThanks for you comment. I'm praying right now that God will give you wisdom in your leadership.
Please feel free to contact me should you want to talk about your situation more. I'm adding my contact information to the sidebar of this site.
--Ben