I am simply resigning from any desire to be THE LEADER of this church.
That is not my rightful place as lead pastor. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, and I am accountable to live under His leadership and authority. I confess to you that this has often not been the case. I have usurped His authority. I have disobeyed His commands.
I have done what I wanted to do at the expense of what He has told me to do. For that, I am sorry. I have already repented to God. Today, I repent to you.
Another caution: This will not be my last resignation.
My tendency will be to try to take over God’s role in our church from time to time. I will unconsciously try to steal His glory and His position again. So I plan to make resignation as leader of this church more a daily practice in my life and ministry.
In fact, I think it will be important for all of us to remember that Jesus is the Leader of our church. No matter how long we have been at this church or how long we have been Christians, I would be remiss not to admonish us all that none of us deserves to be in charge of His church.
Honestly, there are some others among us who think they are. Others of us wish we were at times. For that, all of us need to repent.
This letter serves as notice that every single church leader that calls our church home needs to tender their resignations as well.
None of us has a right to lead this church. None of us can hold on to leadership if we want our church to be successful. We all must resign from leadership. We have all held on to status, position and control too long.
This is not our church. It belongs to Jesus. We all will resign regularly as long as I am the lead pastor.
As you tender your resignations, let me encourage you by saying that every time I resign, the craziest thing happens: An amazing transformation happens in my life.
I feel liberated. My burdens feel lighter.
