Thinking About Leaving?

It happens. Folks are led to leave a church. In many cases, it's okay.  In fact, it's a very healthy thing  for individuals to pursue what God is doing in their lives. I've left a church before, and before I did, there were questions that I had to answer personally for myself and for my family.

The article below was forwarded to me and it had some fantastic points every person should consider before making the final call on leaving a church family.  You can check it out directly at the Building Church Leaders blog here.

April 24, 2009

5 Reasons You'll Want to Leave But Shouldn't

Is it really time for a ministry change?

Angie and David Ward

Should I stay or should I go? At some point, every ministry leader asks the question, sometimes at weekly intervals. The answer isn't always clear. But whether you're asking it because of the Monday-morning blahs, the post-conference buzz, or the deacon-meeting blues, here are five reasons not to leave your current situation.

1. Conflict.
Whether it's criticism, opposition, or differences in philosophy or personality, as a leader you can expect conflict. It's inevitable wherever two or more sinners are gathered, even in Christ's name. Leaving because of conflict often demonstrates the schoolyard value, "If you don't play the game my way, I'm taking my ball and going home." But you win some battles just by surviving them. Live to fight another day.

2. Slow progress.
Many of us in ministry have been conditioned to believe that more and faster are better. We want maximum impact with minimum resistance. Time is short, we say; the Kingdom is coming. But sometimes the King wants us to slow down and listen. Stuckness may frustrate your grand ministry plans, but it may also be the best thing for your spiritual growth.

3. Frustrations with leadership.
The thought, "If I were in charge, I'd do things differently" is not necessarily a call from God to leave your current situation. You may be right, and your church may be filled with horrible leaders. Perhaps that means you're the good leader they need to help them reach their full potential.

4. Uncertainty or transition.
Some leaders bolt as soon as they feel their organization is in crisis. Whether your church is looking for a new senior pastor, working through a change in philosophy, or facing a budget crunch, sometimes the best move may be to stay put, and to help your community weather the transition.

5. The lure of greener pastures.
A fellow leader once heard me questioning whether I should stay in a particular position. He asked, "Did God call you here?" I answered affirmatively, but his next question was the kicker: "Did God call you away?" I had been so focused on where I felt I wanted to go, I hadn't asked whether God had released me from my current assignment. The minute you look longingly at the fescue on the other side of the fence, you diminish your effectiveness in your current setting—the one God has called you to.

Angie and David Ward are ministry leaders who are staying—for now—in Durham, North Carolina.