Godly Resignation
How many people do you know that remain in one ministry for a
lifetime?
Chances are at some point you will resign and move to another
ministry or another Church.
When, less likely if, this happens, do so with honor.
Glorify God in your departure as you did with your arrival and
ministry.
• When you leave is not the time to unload all you have been
Reasons To Leave
holding back and blast those who you can
• Ifyouaimintoacrowdwithashotgun–youwillhit
more than a couple of people
• Don’t say from the pulpit or public platform what
needs to be said in a private meeting of two or three people
• When instructions come from the Lord to do so
• Often The Lord is moving a person and as their burden shifts, conflict
may develop. Those around a person need to be aware of God is transitioning them, to pray for them and assist in making that transition as smooth and peaceful as it can be.
• Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. KJV
• When a burden shifts
Do not allow that to foster hard feelings.
If God is moving you, that is the only excuse you need. Don’t grow
hard towards your current position and decide to “come against”
those there and allow that as an excuse to leave.
You may have less grace for people and circumstances than you have
had in the past
When there is a major doctrinal deviation in the ministry
If at some point your views/beliefs/vision change from that of the ministry you have been a part of and you are not able to reconcile those changes, it
may be time to leave
When there is significant and chronic moral deviation
Make sure you hear from God on leaving under these circumstances
Make sure you hear from God on leaving under ANY circumstances!
• Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. KJV
Leave With Honor
The way you leave can leave a more lasting impression that what you have done!
Ministers may spend years building a ministry only to tear it to the ground in one final sermon because of a few people they are angry with.
Chance are, if you are leaving because of moral issues or are no longer on board with the vision of the leadership, not everyone in the Church will need to know that. Don’t stir up questions about your leaving. Leave well.
Leave well and be honored or don’t leave well and that may follow you into your next position.
How To Leave
• Give ample notice
Start with your immediate leader which will likely be the pastor.
Work out with your leader an exit strategy and a time line of when
others will be made aware of your plans of change
Resignation should be in a written, signed document
• NOT via a text, email or phone call
• Resignation should be given to the person who hired you unless
otherwise directed
• Not the board
Not the congregation
Not your peers
Resignation should never be a surprise move
Even in instances of breakdown of morality, there will still be those who could be hurt by your departure. Be a minister of peace and goodwill, not a sower of strife and discord
The person who hired you should be the first, not the second or last to know of your resignation
Resign alone
Resignation is not the time to begin a proselyting ministry
Just because God has called you to leave does not mean He has
called others to leave
Ministries built in this way are “houses built on the sand” and WHEN,
not IF the storm comes, very few will stand.
• Avoid
Do not try to win the hearts of those around you before you leave,
people will not understand what is happening, or why.
Ezekiel 34:18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? KJV
Many want to make a scene, and to be heard and vindicated as they leave or after they have done so. This is a wrong action.
Some ministers simply disappear after they leave because they bring upon themselves a curse from the manner in which they leave.
• Genesis 31:20 And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. 21 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead. 22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. KJV
• Just the grace of God saved Jacob from wrath about his awful departure. Just because Laban was not honest, gave Jacob no reason to follow suit, we are not to render evil for evil
• Genesis 31:29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto
confusion
me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. KJV
• Be grateful
• Proverbs 17:13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart
from his house. KJV
• There was a reason you joined this ministry in the first place,
be thankful for what you have learned in that time to now
The Right Way
• Exodus 4:18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. KJV
• After leaving the right way, when a later encounter happened between Jethro and Moses, there was help from Jethro. His leaving the right way was followed, years later, by blessings
• Exodus 18:7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. KJ
• Not only did Jethro offer advice – but Moses took his advice – there was still mutual loyalty and respect between two great men/leaders
• Exodus 18:18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. 19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: KJV
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