Some Thoughts About Leaving the Church
In the last few days there has, once again, been criticism of pastors who follow a call outside that requires them to leave their congregation. This has been the case with pastors like Brian McLaren, Francis Chan, Jim Belcher, N.T. Wright and, most recently, Rob Bell.
Critics have claimed that in leaving their churches they have less accountability and validity. This would be true if they were abandoning the Church, but they’re not. Perhaps this attitude comes from a narrow understanding of the church, which informs our attitudes about pastors and preachers.
Leaving a position within the church has little to do with accountability – that has to do with one’s heart. Consider the many pastors who sadly experience burnout, a moral failure or the exposure of scandal. They are still a part of a local congregation, but seemingly avail themselves to little accountability.
In contrast, I just spoke with a fellow who travels, speaks, writes and consults who is not a pastor, though he used to be. He has several faithful friends around him and his family who hold him highly accountable. He engages the church frequently through the love and care that he and his family receive from their community.
When the definition of “the Church” is limited to a local congregation or parish then the criticism makes a little more sense. But how we understand the Church should not be confined to our cultural understanding. My friend Fernando, who is from Cuba, once said to me, “In Cuba we have churches but few buildings. In America, we have buildings but few churches.”
He knew that the Church, as the people of God, is a reflection of the Kingdom of Heaven here on this earth. It is far bigger than the tiny institutional box we tend to place it in, and when we attempt to define one’s role according to that - we fall short. People like Brian McLaren, Francis Chan, and Rob Bell have gifts that serve the Kingdom our hurting, broken world.
Rather than criticize them for leaving the Church we should seek learn from their example. Their courage to hear God’s call can teach all of us how large the Church of Jesus really is. Let’s pray not only for them, but for their families and fellow sojourners, that God will sustain them as they labor for the Kingdom.
To my many brothers and sisters who have stepped away from their roles within a local congregation to obediently follow the path to which Jesus has called you, thank you for teaching me so much. “May God bless you and keep you, may he make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, and may he turn his face toward you and give you peace.”