(First and foremost, to my current congregants: Have no fear – I am not leaving! This is a post from last year about my former church in Wisconsin. K, on with the post…)
If you’ve been going to church for any length of time, odds are you’ve had a pastor leave. Sometimes it’s for another church, other times it’s to a new profession or to retirement. It’s difficult every time.
I remember when my very first pastor, Pastor Dave, left with his family for the mission field in China.
As an adult now, with a family of my own, I find his sacrifice and courage moving.
Then, as a six-year-old, I was simply angry and hurt. Angry that he would take my best friend, his daughter Julia, across the world from me. Hurt that he would leave us. Why did China need him more than we did?
Now that I’m a pastor myself, I can see both sides more clearly. It isn’t easy for a pastor to leave a congregation.
Today I’m sharing my most popular post on this topic, “I Hold You in My Heart,” over at my dear friend Cara Meredith’s blog.
Have you ever had a pastor move on to a new congregation? What was it like for you?
Courtney Ellis 
Our pastor whom my family adores is moving on to take care of family. We definitely plan to stay in touch!
LikeLike
So good of you, Tammy! I’m sure he or she will value that ongoing connection tremendously.
LikeLiked by 1 person