Proverbs 4:23 tells us,

Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

This is so true for a church planter who didn’t start a church with a core group. Whatever happens, I must guard my heart from all discouragements.

For me, as we have seen from the word of God yesterday, that “guarding” is done with the absolute, sovereign, free grace of God shown/proved on the cross. Just as YHWH placed a flaming sword around the tree of life to keep it safe from fallen men, we must place that sword-gospel around our heart.

What surprised me was not that a person decided to leave our church, but the way she ended it: finger-pointing and accusing the leader (it was directed toward Adam, but that includes me behind Adam). Thankfully, there were eye-witnesses. And as far as I can see, it was over-reaction prompted by personal pride. I am tempted to go into details but I won’t.

Only reason I am writing this publicly is to PROTECT Christ’s sheep.

First of all, Adam, my brother, didn’t deserve that kind of reaction from one of his praise team members. Maybe, he didn’t care “enough” about her. And I’ve corrected him to humble himself and love unconditionally. But given the situation, I don’t see what else Adam could have done. He was just going about his business (didn’t say a word to her) and she just walks out and accuses him about “his” attitude? You see, when you get hurt from that situation, usually it’s due to your pride. Nothing more, nothing less. Rather than apologizing for being late twice to Adam, she decides that Adam has an attitude problem. Only thing I want to ask is “Would you come late and accuse the leader” if you were serving at a mega-church?

Also, many people who were in her class (most of whom are young Christians) had to suffer by witnessing all these. Bewildered & confused. The one who’s been telling them to honor Christ for many weeks is gone like a wind.

When something goes wrong in the church, it is leader’s fault. My fault. I haven’t been loving enough, praying enough for my people. There is no excuse about that.

We all need God’s grace.