Church Planting - The Pain of Fairwell
As I have posted in the past, I am part of a young church. We have been meeting for Sunday worship for a little over 2 years. We brought in our first pastor at the end of January. I am an active volunteer with the church and am very emotionally invested in what is going on.
In the past month, we have said goodbye to two families. It is never easy to say goodbye. I think that this is especially true in a church plant.
One couple was retired, they had moved to the area a little over a year ago, and had decided to attend our church over several other that were much closer to them. They probably drive more than an hour round trip to get to where we meet. Given their long drive, and the difficulty for them being active in the church other than Sundays, it is hard to fault their decision; but, they will be missed. They were the sort of mature believers that any church would want to have. On top of that, we have many families with children. With their kids grown, they had the great opportunity to speak wisdom to young parents. I hope and pray that they find a church home where they can contribute to the lives of families.
The other family that left was also a couple with grown children. This couple, however, is still actively in the career phase of life. His two sons are young adults, neither of which have an active faith. Her daughter is newly married, and growing and active in her faith. Their great passion to have their sons learn to love Jesus, has led them to leave for a church that has singles and a style of worship that will be more attractive to their children. Their prayer is that their sons will fall in love with Jesus at the new church that the are attending. One son is attending with them already. We are sad to see them go, but we join in their prayers for their sons.
Saying goodbye is a part of church planting. I have heard it said that God sometimes brings families into your midst as a sort of scaffolding, they are needed for the early construction period, but eventually, it is no longer needed. I guess that God needs these two families somewhere else.
I guess that I can’t be critical of their decisions to move on. The first church plant that I was active in was in metro Atlanta. During the church’s first year of public worship, it became clear that it was time for me to relocate back to Florida. We were the first of the founding families to move on. Our pastor then was sad to see us go, but wished us well, and has remained a friend.
The real challenge, I think, is for those who have not been part of a church plant before. The scope of what we are trying to accomplish, and the amount of commitment and work involved has only recently begun to sink in with some of the leaders. I pray that they keep the eternal perspective and remember that God will be glorified. I also pray that our young pastor will not take it on the chin that two families have moved on.
God — be glorified in our efforts to worship you, even as we say goodbye to dear friends. Amen.
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