It's me, Dell, standing in need of prayer, advice and listening ears.
I grew up A/G -- attended an A/G high school and Bible college. LOVE the church. (That's background.)
In 2000, we moved to a community that had an A/G, but the pastor was really strange plus, he had a raging problem that could spark at any moment. He was an isolationist and refused to cooperate with the other churches in our area. My husband and I left within months of our arrival in this community. Since 2000 numerous people have come and gone and a few months ago the district stepped in and removed the pastor from the church. They now have a new pastor--a true man of God. His wife is full of humor and seems very nice. The church had 25 people last Sunday and the pastor wants to make an impact in the community and meet with the other pastors.
The non-denominational church that we have attended for the last 5 years, awarded me my ministerial credentials (accepting my A/G Bible college transcripts and life work). I'm on staff at that church and the church is growing and is a wonderful place to work. I have good rapport with the Sr. pastor and his wife, other leaders and the people. (I may have mentioned before that my only problem has to do with the pastor's refusal to have AA or 12 step type meetings in the church and his strong opposition to "counseling.")
Now, my problem. My husband and I have met the pastors at the A/G. We really like them. My husband wants to go back to the church. I'm happy where we are. He isn't pushing me, but I know he longs to be in a church that is freeier in worship and where the teaching is right on. Again, I'm contented in the ministry at the church we attend. And, because I deal with a lot of Seniors and homebound--how do I explain to them. "I'm leaving now, because we are going to another church and someone else may or may not be visiting you now." That's uncomfortable for me.
See why I need prayer, advice and a listening ear?
Will definitely keep you in prayer. I've been in similar spot where I was happy where we were but it was eating hubby up cause he knew what God was calling us to do.
But what we both knew is that our growth was capped at that ministry. So even though worship was awesome and the word just as incredible as leaders there was no training or cultivating.
It's been very good since we left. I've learned so much since we stepped out to do what God called us to do.
I feel a changing of the seasons... Both in the natural and in the spiritual... Perhaps your season has ended and you are holding on to something that God has released you from. Are you in a "paid" staff position at the church where you are serving? What would you be doing differently at the new church that you are not able to do where you are? What would you not be able to do? Is there someone you can train to do the visitations?
