Okay. So do I understand that "blogging" is supposed to be spontaneous, random and off the cuff? Not exactly my style of writing but I suppose you could say this post is going to be like that.
I go back in my mind to an experience that occured over twenty years ago while I was preaching for a congregation in LA (lower Arkansas). For several years Tami and I had been friends with a couple who were a very active and important part of our church family. They had been co-ordinators of our annual VBS for several years and had often visited in our home and we in theirs. It was a warm and mutual friendship. Then one day, "poof!" They were gone - worshipping elsewhere. "It's not you" - they said, "we just needed a change." There had been some dissatisfaction with a few decisions made by others and suddenly they were gone. No explanation. No "goodbye." Nothing. Just gone.
I'll never forget how much that hurt. And though it has happened on other occasions over the past thirty years I must confess that I have never quite gotten beyond the point of feeling somewhat personally betrayed when someone I've sought to minister to and care for ups and leaves without even the courtesy of a "goodbye" or an explanation of why they felt the need to do so.
Then again, I realize that comings and goings are pretty much standard fare in church circles. I guess for everyone who has left where I've been and gone somewhere else there's been someone else who has left somewhere and come to where I've been. Frankly, I doubt that they said "goodbye" where they were. Probably just came over to visit one Sunday, liked the atmosphere and the people and decided to stay.
I just wish we had deeper relationships with one another in the body of Jesus. Relationships that were to the point that we felt a little more responsibility to each other before pulling up stakes and moving our tent to another spot. On one hand it would be reassuring to know that their leaving was not personal. On the other hand, if it were something I had done, a word from them might help me make a needed personal correction or correct something gone askew in the work of the church.
Just thoughts . . .
I go back in my mind to an experience that occured over twenty years ago while I was preaching for a congregation in LA (lower Arkansas). For several years Tami and I had been friends with a couple who were a very active and important part of our church family. They had been co-ordinators of our annual VBS for several years and had often visited in our home and we in theirs. It was a warm and mutual friendship. Then one day, "poof!" They were gone - worshipping elsewhere. "It's not you" - they said, "we just needed a change." There had been some dissatisfaction with a few decisions made by others and suddenly they were gone. No explanation. No "goodbye." Nothing. Just gone.
I'll never forget how much that hurt. And though it has happened on other occasions over the past thirty years I must confess that I have never quite gotten beyond the point of feeling somewhat personally betrayed when someone I've sought to minister to and care for ups and leaves without even the courtesy of a "goodbye" or an explanation of why they felt the need to do so.
Then again, I realize that comings and goings are pretty much standard fare in church circles. I guess for everyone who has left where I've been and gone somewhere else there's been someone else who has left somewhere and come to where I've been. Frankly, I doubt that they said "goodbye" where they were. Probably just came over to visit one Sunday, liked the atmosphere and the people and decided to stay.
I just wish we had deeper relationships with one another in the body of Jesus. Relationships that were to the point that we felt a little more responsibility to each other before pulling up stakes and moving our tent to another spot. On one hand it would be reassuring to know that their leaving was not personal. On the other hand, if it were something I had done, a word from them might help me make a needed personal correction or correct something gone askew in the work of the church.
Just thoughts . . .
That's The Way I See It.
