Feelings of betrayal turned to joy.

On July 28th the feelings of betrayal by some member in our congregation over our newly retired pastor accepting the pastor's position at a church only 3 miles away were turned to joy.  During a congregational meeting the angxiety over this situation was changed to joy and excitement by shifting the focus from betrayal to sacrifice and serving others.  In March the church down the road was ready to close it's doors after two years of falling attendance and the lack of the pulpit committee to interview and hire a new pastor..  Our former pastor was asked to preach one Sunday when they could not find a supply pastor.  Well, they felt drawn to him just as our congregation had for the past 12 years.  He was approached by the committee and accepted the postion as part-time pastor.  This set off a flury of emotions within our congregation and when we received an invitation to their homecoming and people were encouraged to come meet their new pastor the "elephant in the room" became even larger.

A congregational meeting was called following the worship service to discuss the situation.  Some came looking for answers, others intent on defending their friend and our former pastor, others to vent and express their feelings.  The opening statements of the meeting set the atmosphere and tone of the gathering.  Our new pastor spoke of spending much time in prayer and  decernment over how to approach this situation.  God spoke to him with how our church should be happy and excited about our former pastor being in the right place to be used by God to help keep another church open.  Additionally, even though some of our congregation has started attending the other church, reducing our numbers, we were left with very capable, faith filled believers.  It seems that God's message to us is that we are sacrificing in service to others, just like Jesus taught us to do.  Now instead of losing a place of worship there are two functional churches.  God's instructions to us seemed to be, "I helped build your church up one time, now let's do it again".  One of the congregants reminded the group that 14 years ago we were in the same situation of low attendance and facing closure when God sent us our former pastor.  The entire atmosphere changed from anxiety to joy with shouts of "Amen".

It is amazing how different things appear by taking the focus off of yourself and placing it on others.  The other church was hurting and by God's grace we were in a position to help ease the hurt and experience the joy of helping our brothers and sisters in Chirst.  And in this situation, literally some aunts, uncles and other family members at the other church.  The Holy Spirit was at work in our church that Sunday afternoon and the excitment could be felt through the entire body of believers gathered that day.  Praise the Lord!