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    leaving well
matthew mccage
I will never forget how scared I was on May 21, 1994 as I said, “yes” to God’s calling on my life to preach His Word and minister to His people. There were a number of questions I had, fears that were paralyzing not to mention the inadequacies that all flooded my mind. At the same time I could not have been more excited and eager to serve the Lord and embark on this new calling. I was a bundle of nerves, excitement, fear, and assurance. Yet, God proved Himself faithful and was at my side and at the same time leading the way. To say I am grateful and honored at His hand on my life is a great understatement.
Thirteen years later, I find myself with the same mixture of emotions as God is leading me away from a church I’ve been at for the past nine years. I am admittedly scared to death and excited at the same time. Now, just as back then, I don’t know where God is leading us and where He will take us. I do know He is faithful and He has everything worked out. Adrian Rogers once said that we can not determine God’s will by looking into the future but by looking back and seeing where He has led us.
But as I continue to move forward in the journey God has for my life, I want to make sure I’m faithful with where I am. Trusting Him with the details of the move and my new ministry opportunity, here are some things that I have learned about my responsibility of leaving well—from my own experience and the experiences of my friends.
1. Speak well of the leadership.
Believe it or not, you will need your current, or previous leadership, to give you a solid recommendation to your new place of ministry. Not only that but remember, the church you are leaving behind needs the situation to be as healthy as it can be. Don’t damage the people, reputation, or leadership just because you feel jaded. Remember, the Lord is the ultimate and righteous judge of the situation. His Word teaches as much as we are able to it live at peace with all men. People will always remember how you left. They will be somewhat likely to forget if you left with a smile and with hugs, but they will never forget hateful words, dirty looks, and a defiant attitude.
2. Speak openly with the leadership.
The last thing your new church needs from you is the enormous load of excess baggage that you didn’t deal with concerning your old pastor or leadership. There is huge value both to you and the former leadership to be open about what is on your heart and to clarify any misunderstanding. The saddest aspect of this conversation is that if that conversation had happened sooner, you probably would not be leaving. Telling the truth in love is often a great message but is one of the hardest to apply. What I am suggesting is you lovingly talk with the leadership so that one day you can come back and worship with them when you are in the area or even preach in their pulpit.
3. Don’t check out.
Know you are leaving your current situation and heading to a new place of ministry is the hardest limbo of which to survive in. While you love the people to you are still serving, you begin to develop a passion for the new congregation. Resolve in your heart and your head you will not mentally or emotionally check out of your current ministry location until you are officially gone. In fact, take it one step further and acquire an accountability partner who will pray for you and call you out on the carpet when you start to slip—and you will start to slip.
If you need a couple of reasons not to check out before you are released, here are some to chew on:
- The students deserve better. It is not their fault this separation is happening. In fact, it might not be anyone’s fault. They still deserve your utmost love and affection while you are with them. Don’t give them a reason to be bitter towards the next youth minister, the church, God, or you.
- Earn your keep. Chances are the current church is still paying you a salary and covering your normal benefit package. Honor them by serving them well. You never want to come across as a freeloader or slacker. Remember, your reputation is the most precious commodity you have
- It’s the character test. If you decide to check out of your current job then there is major spiritual work that needs to take place in your heart before you take a new position anywhere! Checking out is often prideful, lazy, vengeful, and down right pitiful. Colossians teaches us that whatever we say and do must be done as unto the Lord. This is a form of worship. That same book teaches us whatever we do, do it heartily as unto the Lord. God is never satisfied with intentional second hand and half-effort work.
- Our calling demands it. God has called us to something greater . . . He has called us to be His choice servants. He has called us to serve with passion and excitement; not just when we are coming in and when things are going fabulous, but when things are “falling apart” and we are on our way out. His calling accepts nothing less.
Maybe you are like me and you are in transition. Maybe you are like many other of our contemporaries and you have traveled down this path already. Maybe you are privileged to be encouraging someone who is currently on the journey of transition. Whatever the scenario, it is always vital to serve with passion and to leave well.
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http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/community-articles-from-the-field.html
matthew mccage
I will never forget how scared I was on May 21, 1994 as I said, “yes” to God’s calling on my life to preach His Word and minister to His people. There were a number of questions I had, fears that were paralyzing not to mention the inadequacies that all flooded my mind. At the same time I could not have been more excited and eager to serve the Lord and embark on this new calling. I was a bundle of nerves, excitement, fear, and assurance. Yet, God proved Himself faithful and was at my side and at the same time leading the way. To say I am grateful and honored at His hand on my life is a great understatement.
Thirteen years later, I find myself with the same mixture of emotions as God is leading me away from a church I’ve been at for the past nine years. I am admittedly scared to death and excited at the same time. Now, just as back then, I don’t know where God is leading us and where He will take us. I do know He is faithful and He has everything worked out. Adrian Rogers once said that we can not determine God’s will by looking into the future but by looking back and seeing where He has led us.
But as I continue to move forward in the journey God has for my life, I want to make sure I’m faithful with where I am. Trusting Him with the details of the move and my new ministry opportunity, here are some things that I have learned about my responsibility of leaving well—from my own experience and the experiences of my friends.
1. Speak well of the leadership.
Believe it or not, you will need your current, or previous leadership, to give you a solid recommendation to your new place of ministry. Not only that but remember, the church you are leaving behind needs the situation to be as healthy as it can be. Don’t damage the people, reputation, or leadership just because you feel jaded. Remember, the Lord is the ultimate and righteous judge of the situation. His Word teaches as much as we are able to it live at peace with all men. People will always remember how you left. They will be somewhat likely to forget if you left with a smile and with hugs, but they will never forget hateful words, dirty looks, and a defiant attitude.
2. Speak openly with the leadership.
The last thing your new church needs from you is the enormous load of excess baggage that you didn’t deal with concerning your old pastor or leadership. There is huge value both to you and the former leadership to be open about what is on your heart and to clarify any misunderstanding. The saddest aspect of this conversation is that if that conversation had happened sooner, you probably would not be leaving. Telling the truth in love is often a great message but is one of the hardest to apply. What I am suggesting is you lovingly talk with the leadership so that one day you can come back and worship with them when you are in the area or even preach in their pulpit.
3. Don’t check out.
Know you are leaving your current situation and heading to a new place of ministry is the hardest limbo of which to survive in. While you love the people to you are still serving, you begin to develop a passion for the new congregation. Resolve in your heart and your head you will not mentally or emotionally check out of your current ministry location until you are officially gone. In fact, take it one step further and acquire an accountability partner who will pray for you and call you out on the carpet when you start to slip—and you will start to slip.
If you need a couple of reasons not to check out before you are released, here are some to chew on:
- The students deserve better. It is not their fault this separation is happening. In fact, it might not be anyone’s fault. They still deserve your utmost love and affection while you are with them. Don’t give them a reason to be bitter towards the next youth minister, the church, God, or you.
- Earn your keep. Chances are the current church is still paying you a salary and covering your normal benefit package. Honor them by serving them well. You never want to come across as a freeloader or slacker. Remember, your reputation is the most precious commodity you have
- It’s the character test. If you decide to check out of your current job then there is major spiritual work that needs to take place in your heart before you take a new position anywhere! Checking out is often prideful, lazy, vengeful, and down right pitiful. Colossians teaches us that whatever we say and do must be done as unto the Lord. This is a form of worship. That same book teaches us whatever we do, do it heartily as unto the Lord. God is never satisfied with intentional second hand and half-effort work.
- Our calling demands it. God has called us to something greater . . . He has called us to be His choice servants. He has called us to serve with passion and excitement; not just when we are coming in and when things are going fabulous, but when things are “falling apart” and we are on our way out. His calling accepts nothing less.
Maybe you are like me and you are in transition. Maybe you are like many other of our contemporaries and you have traveled down this path already. Maybe you are privileged to be encouraging someone who is currently on the journey of transition. Whatever the scenario, it is always vital to serve with passion and to leave well.
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