What Does Resignation Mean to Me?

According to the Encarta World English Dictionary "resign" means:" to leave a job: to give up a paid or unpaid position voluntarily, to accept something reluctantly: to come to terms with something and acquiesce in it reluctantly, or to relinquish claim: to give up a right or claim to something."

That sums it up pretty well. On March 01, 2009 I resigned from the ministry that I was called to, and had to come to terms with the fact that things could no longer go on the way they were. As a pastor I know I certainly fell far short of expectations in many areas and still have a great deal of sanctifying and improving to do. I hope that all church leaders everywhere will come to a similar conclusion.

Unfortunately, these situations often leave both parties feeling as though they are going through a divorce proceeding. First comes the discontent stage, followed by the accumulating record of wrongs, and then comes the final straw that gets the paper work going, the desire to communicate things in a way that does not cause additional harm to the family, followed by the often messy severance of assets.

Somehow, we start out in lay or ordained ministry, in our churches and Christian marriages, with a higher view of these relationships. We go through ordination services, membership classes, and weddings with a covenental, "for better for worse... sickness and in health ... with God's help and bathed in prayer (which I believe is the correct interpretation of "So help me God") ...kind of promise.

Somehow, our track record in the church is lamentably not that different from the rest of the world. A point so many people delight in reminding us of, and thereby justifying why they do not see a reason to go to church.

Somehow, our churches are being run more and more like a business, than a covenantal familial relationship.

Somehow, we are seeing a continual growing fall out between church boards and their pastors, resulting in an exodus of wandering, burned out, and disillusioned pastors, who are seemingly discarded when they do not live up to some of the huge burdens and expectations imposed upon them. As one pastor put it, "I feel like an ATM, people continually come to me for withdrawals, but very few make deposits".

Somehow, pastors and board members alike all too often come to the conclusion that their battle is with flesh and blood and not against the principalities and powers in high places. We wrongly conclude that it is easier to win a short term battle, all the while losing the war.

Somehow, we have gained the reputation for shooting our wounded, and forced people with "less desirable" problems or sins to look elsewhere for help, and to not even consider sharing their burden within the confines of the local church for fear of being judged.

Somehow, we have gotten used to the idea that "Church hopping and shopping" are usual and normal practices, as is routinely exchanging pastors like used automobiles, in the hopes of securing a newer model with less troubles.

Somehow, we have come to a time when practically everyone has a story of how they have experienced a church split, a pastor resignation (or two or three), or had a poor church experience that hurt them or their family, and it is accepted as being normal. If you question this, poll members of your church, small group, or people you know who used to go to a church.

Somehow, this whole concept of "covenantal relationship" in contrast to the prevailing "divorce" mentality, needs to be addressed at all levels of the church if we are to have any meaningful impact on the people in our community and churches.

Finally, and I believe most significantly, to resign means "to relinquish claim: to give up a right or claim to something."  I wonder how many relationships are destroyed because of one or both parties claim that they are "right", and the other party is "wrong". This kind of thinking unintentionally results in a "win-lose" mentality that is most often, in reality, a "lose-lose" proposition. In the Christian context the only winner in such an exchange is Satan, while the church and people involved are merely pawns.

In my current situation, I have resigned myself to the simple reality that I have no claim or right to shepherd any particular church. As disconcerting as it is to leave those I have been called to love, and with such uncertainty for the future, my confidence is not in myself, or any church governing board, but in the One who has called me to ministry, and in whose name, it is my privilege to serve. 

Ephesians 1:13-23 (NIV)
¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. ¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, ²⁰ which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

In the affectionate bonds of Christ,

Pastor Dave Smith

LETTER OF RESIGNATION

  March 01, 2009

  Dear Cobourg Alliance Church Family,

I am writing this letter to inform you that I am stepping down as your Senior Pastor effective immediately.

I do want to underscore that this decision is a mutual agreement between the Board of Elders and myself.

Unfortunately, there have been a number of contributing factors that have led us both to the conclusion that we cannot continue to work together.

The Board has worked with me in the areas of Character, Competence, and Chemistry, and I have similarly provided the Board with suggestions for stronger pastoral relationships.

I am convinced that we as a church have all learned and grown considerably during our time together, and that God has called this season of ministry together to a close.

At this point, we have no plans as a family, and in a similar fashion to the church family, we will all have to trust God to provide, protect, and reveal His will for us for the future.

I am thankful that the Board has assured me that they are working out a reasonable and fair settlement package to assist our family at this time.

I would like to express my heartfelt love and appreciation to all the many wonderful people at Cobourg Alliance Church.

Thank You for your love, acceptance, and the ministry you have provided to our family during our many challenges.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He cause His face to shine upon you, and may he put a bounce in your step and a song in your heart, as you bask in the infinite love of our Sovereign God (although this benediction may seem a bit upbeat for the occassion, I used it because it was the benediction I became kown for).

Love, Pastor Dave Smith