18/11/2024
Dear Pastor,
WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE THE CHURCH
The biggest fear of almost every Pastor is members leaving the Church. Once a member tells the Pastor, "I will not be coming to Church again", what runs through his head most time is the size of his church without that perspective. In some cases, if the person leaving is a financial pillar, most Pastors feel the enemy is attacking the Church and they almost want to react. Some can get so emotions and give the member 30 reasons why they must not leave the town not minding how foolish or senseless those 30 reasons might sound in the persons ears. Hmmmm!
Listen up, when people leave you and you become insecure, it tells of three important things among many about you in ministry:
1. Your hold to shadows instead of substance. They are the flock of Christ, He leads them where He chooses. Hold on to Him, not his flocks. The flocks are shadows, He is the substance of your ministry not the flock. Matt. 6:25-33.
2. Your immaturity in ministry. Only matured Pastors know that sheep moves from one green pastures to another when they feel there's need for greener pastures. Matured Pastors grow fresh grass, so they don't struggle with moving sheep. The sheep will always come to green grasses. John 10.
3. You wrong priorities in ministry. The priority of ministry is getting people saved not just getting them to Church. If that is your priority, you will easily understand why people leave Church A to Church B, and you will be at rest. Jer. 3:15, Eze 34. If you are a Pastor after God's heart, He will add to your flock, those who are being saved and take away those who don't want to be saved.
If you understand these three things, ministry becomes sweet, less burdensome and more focused. You must learn to focus on those God has given you and stop chasing after those He has decided to remove. See Luke 15: 15-21.
1. Don't give up when people leave the Church. Stay optimistic and dare the fear of failure by be focused on your dream and Ministry.
2. Don't panic because someone left, relax and focus on the word and prayer.
3. Don't lay a curse on those who leave, pray for them. Like beget like.
In all, just stay focused on what God has for you. Do your best in follow-up, teaching, preaching and prayers and leave the rest to God, the owner of the flock. You can't make people stay in Church, God can and will. Jesus said, "upon this Rock, I will build MY Church not your Church. Okay? Trust God and be more focused on him. Alleluia!!!
Prayer
I decree that the Church of God under your care will not die in your hands in Jesus mighty name.
(C) His Grace
