“Many of Jesus’ disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?" The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life…
Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:60-68)
On the Chicago Central District, we have come through A LOT as a team of churches and because of COVID and other factors, attendance can be smaller in some places. We are sometimes tempted as leaders with a secret fear we struggle with. It is our fear of losing people. This can seem to be such a difficult matter, especially when we work so hard to reach people!
Pastors and church leaders can be tempted to think wrongly about this issue – and this raises an important spiritual question. Did Jesus have any people who walked away from Him? Are there any spiritual principles that Jesus followed when this happened; when people walked away from His ministry? The Scripture tells us that no pastor or church is exempt from this happening. Even Jesus knew that some people would not stay with him (John 6:64-65).
Every pastor and every church, at one time or another, has had people leave; with COVID it has been over a variety of things. It’s especially hard on pastor leaders when this happens. Many times a comment that follows is some other leader saying, “we can’t afford to lose people.” However, based on the ministry of Jesus, this is not true. There were clearly times that Jesus watched as He let people go.
So, how do we as church leaders know the spiritual principles involved in letting someone go? With Jesus, it was never about church or ministry money…he let the rich young ruler go (Mark 10:17-25). Some leaders are tempted to negotiate and then receive a large contribution for the church. But Jesus never did. He understood more important than anything else was our heart (Proverbs 4:23). To every church that longs to build a healthy spiritual culture, let’s follow the example of Jesus. We must have the courage to do the right thing, even when it includes following Jesus in letting people go. Our prayer for you and your church is that you will experience God’s blessing through the anointing and blessing and comes from unity (Psalm 133:3).
We also want to say a big thanks for all your church is doing to take positive steps forward by focusing on the basics of what the Lord has revealed to us for a healthy future:
Mobilizing everyone in unity
Blessing your community
Bringing people to Jesus
Becoming Christlike disciples
Also, thanks for serving so well on the Chicago Central District. Let’s continue to be Christ in Action. You are loved.
Larry McKain, Superintendent
Chicago Central District
Church of the Nazarene