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No one wants to over-stay their welcome, but it seems that frequently pastors are a little too quick to want to move on to a different pasture.
This was a question that John Opalewski, Jim Wiegand, and I discussed on the Leading From Alignment podcast.
The New Testament stories I reference are found in Acts 8:4-8, 26-40; 16:6-10. I blogged about both of these experience in more depth:
- Philip’s story in Don’t Try To Grow Your Ministry
- Paul’s story in Interrupted But Not Discouraged
The closing chapter of my book When Sheep Bite is entitled ‘Faithfulness > Fight or Flight.’ In that chapter I wrote—
Remember that we are all striving to not succumb to the natural fight-or-flight response, but to attain the supernatural response of faithfulness. In this, we have a perfect example in our Good Shepherd.
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus is called the One who is “Faithful” (Revelation 19:11), and Paul says that the Faithful One who has called us will empower us to remain steadfast: “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV). …
Yes, fight-or-flight is our natural response, but with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we can respond in supernatural faithfulness. We don’t have to sit unmoving and unfeeling, but we can continue to serve even biting sheep until God removes us or them.
We glorify God by faithfully serving the sheep He has placed under our care, giving our very best, even if our words and actions are unappreciated or ignored by those we are serving.
If you are in a difficult place in your leadership assignment, I encourage you to check out When Sheep Bite.
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Craig T. Owens 