Bobby Lepinay: Hits

A few years ago, I heard the great H.B. Landon, known as the "Pastor to the Pastors" with Focus on the Family, say the following:

"The Pastoral profession has a much higher rate of exit than any other profession. The reason is that a pastor is continually having to deal with 'loss'. Church members die. Church members move. Church members (like sheep) often get disgruntled and leave for another church. New people come in, but the effect of those who leave or move affects the shepherd much more, as he knows them, he has invested in them, married them, dedicated their babies, walked through major life events with them, and thereby his emotions are involved each time. The cumulative weight of these 'hits' can have a crippling effect on even the strongest of pastors."

Wise words from a very wise man....

....the average person in church has no idea how true his words are.

The latest statistics state that the average church in America will experience an 80% turnover rate every 5 years. That means that every 8 out of 10 people in your church today will not be with you 5 years from now.

The reasons are multiple: people are more consumeristic in mindset, more mobile.......their needs change, their social structures change, ...etc....but the net bottom line is that the average church must grow by 80% (almost DOUBLE) every 5 years just to keep even!

Looking back over directories from years past, we have been about average at Harvest. For me personally, it is hard to look back at those directories, as every one of those people I miss. They were a part of my life and arent anymore.

Its kind of like as the pastor, you and your family and the 20% "core" that God has placed around you are the oak tree that is stable and in place as you watch people come in for a season, however long, then zip along, with new faces replacing them that you pour into, entrusting your work to God.

That is probably the reason I tear up every time I see Charlotte's Web......you know, the last scene where Charlotte's babies fly away?? I hate that scene..!!! :)

Not sure if that all makes sense to you, but as the late John Wimber said (Vineyard churches), "We are in the 'people-processing' business! You have some for a short term, some longer, some for good. You clean up and help as many as you can, as much as you can, with what God has given you, then you release them."

I relate with alot of other pastors who all of course experience the same thing. They ask me how I personally deal with it.

My answer is as above: "I release and bless them, no strings attached."

Any other way is damaging to them, damaging to me, damaging to the church. They belong to JESUS, not me, and I just hope I and those serving by my side will be found faithful when all is said and done with the lives entrusted to our care.

To richer, deeper levels of GRACE....!

Comments

it is never easy to let go of friends and yes bobby i know the scene in c- web that you are talking about, and yes very hard to watch. iam reminded of that song friends by mike w. smith (if iam not mistaken). it is all a part of life, but it does not make it any easier. peace and blessings everyone. jeff

Posted by: jeff wise | November 15, 2007 at 01:05 AM