As a part of an article regarding the resignation of a respected and admired Pastor from another congregation, Aaron Chambers posted this list. Yes, this is significant to read if you are a Preacher/Pastor, but it is also important to read if you are a member of a congregation. If you are a member of a congregation and are looking for reasons to tell your Preacher/Pastor to leave, don't bother reading this…that is unworthy of its intention. But, if you are a member of a congregation and want to know what Pastors/Preachers go through, read on. If you are a member of a congregation who wants to counsel with your Pastor in love and encouragement, read on. But, may the Lord forgive you, if you use this list as anything more than insight of the battle of conscience a minister goes through to be honest with himself, God, his leadership, and his congregation. – Pastor Mark
Reasons to Resign
By Aaron Chambers
1. When God calls, it’s time to leave.
2. When you care more about getting paid than reaching people in your community, it’s time to leave.
3. If you’re using the church for your own personal gain, it’s time to leave.
4. If you’re indulging in sin–and you’re working harder at hiding your sin than serving the Church–it’s time to leave.
5. If you’re wife and kids says it’s time to leave, it’s time to leave.
6. If you don’t love your people any more, it’s time to leave.
7. If you feel both a push to step out and a pull to walk through an “open door” (that is obviously being opened by God), it may be time to leave.
8. If your Elders have asked you to leave, it’s time to leave.
9. If your relationship with your staff is damaged beyond repair, it’s time to leave.
10. If your staff doesn’t respect you any more, it’s time to leave.
11. If your vision doesn’t align with the vision of the Elders, it’s probably time to leave.
12. If there is sin in the leadership (Eldership/Board) or church that is being ignored, brushed under the carpet, or tolerated and your attempts to address the issue are ignored, it’s time to leave.
13. If the stress of your ministry is causing you to be seriously sick or unhealthy, it’s time to leave.
14. If your family is falling apart, it’s time to leave.
15. If your doctrinal position and the leadership’s (Eldership/Board) doctrinal position are irreconcilable, it’s time to leave.
16. If you don’t respect your leadership team (Eldership/Board), it’s time to leave.
17. If your leadership team (Eldership/Board) doesn’t respect you, it’s time to leave.
18. If you are no longer pulling your weight, it’s time to leave.
19. If you have been caught cheating on your wife, stealing from the church, abusing children, abusing your spouse, abusing drugs, or any other sin that brings shame on the church and hinders your credibility and effectiveness, it’s time to resign. (similar to #4, but this reason applies to a minister who has been caught and his sin is no longer hidden from men.)
20. If you and your family are the congregation, it’s time to resign.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on my reasons to resign, but I’d also love to hear some of yours. Please post your reasons to resign in the comments section and I’ll put them online.
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To comment on this subject [CLICK HERE] and you will be taken to Aaron's blog for comment.
