Hey beautiful people
Today’s post is geared slightly more towards Pastors, and individuals involved within church leadership. But I believe that this piece can still be relatable to those who are actively involved within their church. I pray that this post will be a blessing and a form of encouragement to all who read it!
Don’t feel dismayed! You are not the only one to experience the hurt/pain of a broken fellowship, that may or may NOT be as a result of disloyalty. Remember David a whole King, the King of the Jewish nation Israel, a nation of a great number of people (a community of over a million), in an instance had to abdicate his throne, although for a brief period of time, this circumstance must have been extremely painful for David. Some of his closest allies (friends) and his own son betrayed him (2 Samuel 15). But as mentioned previously, it was only for a moment! And that’s what we must remember weeping may endure for a moment but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
But how does one get through such trying times without losing hope??? Simply trust in the Lord, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 42:5 & 11 ‘Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God’. We gotta learn to praise our way through trials no matter how difficult they may be, for praise is a powerful weapon (2 Chronicles 20:22) Amen. We must also remember that important lessons can be learned from times where a person, or persons leave our local church.
- God may be calling them elsewhere for the expansion of His kingdom and for the glory of His name: So you gotta let them go, release them with a blessing. God may be calling that individual to mission, or to step up a local church elsewhere.
- Don’t keep malice: This is a terrible characteristic to have, you should desire for people to part in peace, so that they feel comfortable enough to visit your local church time and time again.
- Gods ways are not our ways: (Isaiah 55:8-9)There is a reason and purpose for ALL occurrences. Sometimes it takes a while before we get to know why, and other times we may never understand why, but what we must do is trust the Lord and believe He is ALL sovereign!!! He allows things to happen in our life for a reason. Trust Gods plan for your church!
- Your church is not abnormal: Don’t feel so discouraged and understand this is not a new phenomena, it happens in a lot of churches, if not all!
- Engage the congregation: Make congregants know that their contribution is valuable. Get people involved more in church work. With prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit, the Lord will help you effectively nurture HIS sheep!!
- Some people may not be for you: (1 John 2:19). Sadly some church folk can have negative hidden agendas, which are very destructive and detrimental to church harmony and growth. And in order for peace to prevail within a church, such people will have to leave in order to create room for good growth. You can pray for harmony and not realise that a person leaving the church can be an answer to your prayer for harmony with the body of Christ.
- Pursue love: Love is VERY important, I cannot stress this enough! Even Paul stated in holy scripture that if he possessed all knowledge, but didn’t love others, he’d be like a clanging cymbal and would be nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1)! Ensure that people encounter Christ like love as soon as they step into your church doors. Show them Gods love through preaching the truth of the gospel without watering it down!
Just keep on hanging on to Christ, He is the only one who can sustain us in this life on earth. Peace out lovely people.
Love from the godly lady after Gods own heart.