The situation kept deteriorating. Pastor Seth accepted this call to ministry two years ago, trusting his skills could meet the congregation’s needs. A few members were still upset over the departure of their previous, much-beloved pastor, and some members left during the uncertainty of the yearlong transition.
Disgruntled former members encouraged others to join them in their new church homes as Pastor Seth tried valiantly to diffuse lingering hard feelings. He worked diligently to introduce new ideas and programs. Yet, attendance and financial support kept dwindling as unresolved issues continued to undermine meetings and mission efforts.
One day, Pastor Elliot, a colleague from a neighboring congregation, invited Pastor Seth to lunch. A veteran of thirty years of ministry and many congregational challenges, he sought to give grace to his young pastoral neighbor. He asked Pastor Seth what he most enjoyed doing.
“Hiking,” Pastor Seth answered. As gently as he could, Pastor Elliot suggested it was time for him to do just that. “Go take a hike. Let this go. It’s not working. It’s hurting your health, and it’s not helping the congregation either.”
Pastor Seth left six months later. He used those months to groom a few leaders to handle the next transition and then spent a few weeks hiking part of the Appalachian Trail.
Sometimes God needs us to hear a hard message; other times God nudges us to deliver the hard message. Pastor Elliot’s words were hard to hear and hard to speak. Sometimes the truth is both. When we do either with grace, the truth can set us free.