Pastor

     As you may know, we've recently left the church we've been part of since June of '07.  This time (between leaving and next steps) is very challenging. 

     Do you agree with Paul's example in 1 Thes. 2:8-9?  Do you agree that good ministry is an investment of content and one's own self?  If so, you understand why it's terribly hard to leave a church.  Hard on the servant; hard on the people.  Indeed, we can see the difficulty in this account of one church that Paul left:

"And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.  [37] And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,  [38] being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again..."  Acts 20:36-38 (ESV)  

     Ever had that moment where you think everything is about to come unglued?  It's that moment where you're seeing something and your heartrate goes through the roof, a bead of sweat meanders down your brow and your senses get hightened as you anticipate watching something go horribly wrong?  I had that moment this Sunday.