In another instance, another young man was sent to plant a branch church. He was there for years and the church grew: When he felt led by the Lord to leave, he honorably resigned, sought an audience with his leader and made sure he did not leave with any member or properties of the church. He left with his family and lots of goodwill. Years later, he could still go back to his leader and church. In actual fact, they still invite him to come and share with the leadership of his former church.
These two accounts are real and true today, with a little variation they are what is happening in the church world. Space will not permit me to recount all that I've seen and know concerning the right and wrong ways associates leave churches and their leaders. But these two stories represent them all. The first one is the ungodly way to leave a church and your leader. Though that is the most popular one, yet it is wrong and ungodly to leave a church in such a way.
Even if the church has cheated you one way or the other, you must understand that two wrongs do not make a right. One reason why young leaders are cursed by their leaders today and their lives and work became barren is because they leave in the wrong way. The second story is the epitome of godly ways to leave a church or a leader. I hope we will see more of that in the church.
The fact of leaving a leader
Though unpalatable, it is a reality of life and ministry that people will leave their leaders. People don't leave churches persay, but they leave their leaders. This is one of the greatest weapons of Satan in destabilizing churches, ministries and leaders. People leave indiscriminately and ruin themselves and the leader they leave in the process. Unfortunately, many associates have ruined themselves in their desperation to leave and leaders have not always displayed the needed maturity in handling those leaving. As associates and leaders, we must realize the fact that we cannot stay together forever. One way or the other; we will have to depart from each other. Leaving a leader is inevitable in the_ light of the following:
* When God is leading you clearlynot emotions, events or instigation of people.
* When there is major doctrinal deviation in life and ministry of the leader.
* When there is significant and chronic moral lapses.
* When conditions are no longer favourable to you and your work.
* When your ministry has grown beyond the local church.
* When you are sacked or disciplined for an offence.
When these issues are at stake, then you will have to be very careful, prayerful and patient, even if you are leaving. You must never leave under a discipline or suspension. You must wait to serve your discipline and your suspension lifted before you leave. Those who have done otherwise are still regretting till today.
Now, if you have to resign or leave your leader or church as a result of the above mentioned reasons, there are certain standards of behaviour expected of you before, during and after your departure. How you go about your departure will show everyone whether you are a true servant of Christ or just another Antichrist. Even if you are leaving your leader or church today, yet you are not leaving the ministry. Sooner or later, you will start your own ministry or work with somebody. Why do you want to sow evil seed to your future by behaving or leaving in an ungodly way? Don't forget that what goes round comes around and has a way of staying around.
Two methods of leaving
Here are two scriptural examples of godly and ungodly ways to leave a leader:
a. Jacob left Laban wrongly "And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that told him not that he fled. So he fled with all that he had: and he rose up, and passed over the river and set his face toward the mt. Gilead And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled" (Gm. 31 :2ft22).
Now, this is clearly the wrong way to leave. Yes, God wanted Jacob to leave, yet he went about it the wrong way. He left unexpectedly. He did not inform his leader and benefactor. His absence was detected after three days. It was only by God's intervention that Laban did not curse Jacob. "It is in the power of my hand to do you harm: but the God of your father spoke unto me yesterday night, saying, take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad" Gen. 31:29)'
Because Jacob left wrongly, Laban had wanted to curse and hurt him, but God intervened. How long will God intervene on behalf of those who have penchant to leave their leaders in ungodly ways? Very many leaders have been hurt and injured by their former bosses simply because they left unceremoniously. And their ungodly ways of leaving have opened them up for curses. Are you not one of them? It's time to repent, restore, restitute and pray.
b. Moses left Jethro rightly- ‘And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said to 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. (Exodus 4:18).
Moses was supernaturally called by the Lord and commissioned to return to liberate the Israelites from Egypt. After his encounter with the Lord, he rightly went and sought release from his leader, father Jethro. He did not leave acrimoniously, neither was he cunning and crafty about it.
He made it plain that he wanted to go back to Egypt to look at his brethren. Father Jethro blessed him and years later, he still benefited from his father in law's wisdom. He could come back and his leader could visit him, because he did not destroy where he left. ((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" (Exodus 18:7).
Now, how many associates can still bless and be a blessing to their former leaders? Leaving to answer the call of God upon your life should never make you to become an enemy of your leader. No matter what has been done to you, you must leave with prayer of blessing. No matter how urgent the call is, you must inform your leader and seek his permission. Even if he is unwilling to release you, pray and wait patiently. When going, don't ever go with his people, money and properties, even if you are the one that purchased them in the first place. |
