Is It Time to Go?

Over the past several months, I've had a number of friends leave their station of ministry to transition some where else in the Kingdom. I stand behind all of them and support them 100%. With that said, I wanted to maybe give some reasons that pastors transition. Obviously, I am by no means an expert in this area. I just want to share with you some things that I have observed and learned in my own experience and my friends' experience.

I remember it was about a year maybe even a 1 1/2 years before I actually resigned from Sharpsburg that God was stirring something inside of me. I definitely remember the "God-moment" I had in my prayer time one morning in my office when I felt God impress me to start traveling full-time as an evangelist. My next phrase that I uttered to God was, "God..., can you please tell Katie for me?!!!" We loved working at Sharpsburg and with the people there. Beyond a shadow of a doubt in my mind, I know that we were divinely placed at SFWC. BUT..., HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE, AND WHY SHOULD WE LEAVE?

First and foremost, it all has to be a "God-idea." It is just the same for anything in ministry, if we are not called to do something, it will be unproductive and we will not survive.

Here are bad reasons to leave/transition in ministry:

1. Frustration - Since when was anything worth doing easy to do? I have to come to learn that difficult situations are the best opportunities for God to teach me key qualities in which I must improve. Not to mention, if we never run into the enemy (I don't mean your board!), maybe it's because we are traveling in the same direction as he is.
2. Exhaustion/Burn Out - My first bet for the reason of exhaustion is not the problems that we have, it would be our priorities. If we remain in Christ through private prayer time, we will have a constant source of strength. Also, I know for me scheduling in a Sabbath seems impossible, however when we honor God's commands, He blesses us, and I get more done in six days than I could in seven. Our focus should not be on the Lord's work but rather on the Lord's walk. By walking with God, we'll accomplish every bit of work the Lord wants done through us.
3. Staffing Problems - This is the touchiest of all. The senior/lead pastor of a church is God's man. If God wants to remove him or change his mind/vision then that is God's prerogative..., not ours! Remaining loyal to your pastor is the top priority for any staff member. Look at David's example, he remained loyal to King Saul even when Saul was attempting to kill David. The first bit of advice would be to check your own heart first. If your heart/vision is different from the lead pastor's, then the question comes is your vision in line for what God wants in this specific church? Be open and honest with your pastor so he can know what you're thinking. He's a pastor..., not a mind reader. Does your vision enhance the overall vision/direction of the church. If you're having personality problems, maybe you're having personality problems so that you can work on your character! (Just trust me on this one!)

Here is the reason to leave/transition in ministry:

1. God - God knows when and where your ministry is the best effective. When God calls you there is no second guessing; you can trust Him. Sometimes it may not make sense in the natural, and others may or may not understand. However, don't try to figure everything out on your own. Make God the number one on every list, and He'll make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

If you're considering transition, I hope this helps. Listen only the the voice of God, He'll never lead you astray. You are called just as much today, as you were when you first started.