After much study of scripture, prayer, discussions with some of my friends, and reading good books, I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer in good conscience remain a salaried pastor. I cannot find it anywhere in the bible, so I'm not going to do it.
Last Wednesday evening I informed the sweet people of Chevis Oaks Baptist Church that I will be resigning as pastor. I'm so thankful for their reaction. Some churches may have lashed out, but the Chevis Oaks family just hugged Alice and me and also cried a bit. The church is saddened but seems to understand my convictions.
I'll be staying on here at Chevis Oaks until sometime in October to help with the transition. Some folks would suggest that I try to remain as an unpaid pastor, but that is not the consensus of the church. Additionally, Alice and I believe that God is leading us into simple church life.
I really do have an amazing wife. To all you married men who read this blog, please don't take offense at this, but in my humble opinion your wives are all competing for second place. I'm leaving Chevis Oaks with no idea what my next job will be. Despite this uncertainty, Alice has been nothing but supportive. Our kids (Caroline, Mary, and Bobby) have also been terrific about it.
As for the decision (not LeBron's, but mine), it came down to a conviction about the sufficiency of scripture and what God desires for His church. I now believe that what we see in the New Testament is not only descriptive, but also prescriptive. We should live the church life as we see it in the pages of scripture.
I realize that many solid, bible-believing Christian people disagree with me on this issue. Maybe even you disagree. That's O.K. We're still brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm not becoming dogmatic on this issue. I'm not suggesting that all salaried pastors are being sinful or that institutional churches are not real churches. I do not want to be divisive, but do need to follow my convictions.
Alice and I are excited about embracing simple church life. We feel led by God to plant a church in our home within the next few months. We don't know exactly what this will look like, but we want to try to follow the scriptural model (see, for example, Acts 2-4 and I Corinthians 11-14) as closely as we can. I know that house church life is not utopia. It is very real and personal. It can be very difficult. However, it can also be extremely rewarding and edifying. If you want to read a great book on this topic, buy this one.
Please let me apologize to any of you who I know personally but haven't yet talked to directly about this. My Facebook page has been on the blink for the last few weeks, so this is the most public way to make this known. I'm trying to gradually call people via phone but this takes time.
I do have one request: please pray. Pray that God will bless Chevis Oaks Baptist Church as they search for a new pastor. Please also pray for me and my family as we go through this transition. We're trying not to worry about my utter lack of a job, but that can be difficult at times.
Please also pray for this new house church. We want God's direction and blessings upon it. God has already brought people into our lives who are interested in it. They are Christians, but are struggling with church life. They also desire to follow the biblical model.
Thanks again.
32 comments:
Eric, that is a courageous thing. I anticipated this coming but I can only imagine how difficult this was for you. My family will pray for your family and for my brothers and sisters at Chevis Oaks.
Arthur,
Thank you very much for your prayers. I simply couldn't remain in a salaried pastoral position anymore. Conviction often is inconvenient, but this is the path we must take. We're excited and intimidated all at the same time. Thank the Lord that He is faithful, sovereign, and good!
Eric,
I have occasionally linked here from Alan's or Arthur's site, and linked here today from Arthur's. I just wanted to offer my encouragement. How many people in your position have come to your same conclusion, but lacked the "intestinal fortitude" to act on their convictions? I believe there have been more than a handful. In the last two years the Lord has directed me to make difficulty financial moves (although none to the extent of yours), which required a lot of trust and faith. Matthew 6:26-3x have always been verses I have fallen back on in those times. I agree that you must have an exceptional wife!! The believers my wife and I fellowship with will be praying for you and your family, and speaking God's provision over you! The Lord will reward you for your faithfulness!
Eric,
We will be praying for you all! I asked Paul if we could move to GA to attend your home fellowship. He only laughed... I think that means 'no.'
Bethany
Mark,
Thank you so much. We look forward to what the Lord will do. We greatly appreciate the prayers of the saints. It's interesting that you mentioned the Matthew 6 passage because I have been thinking a lot about that one. God is certainly faithful.
Bethany,
You are certainly welcome anytime!
Brother,
As you know, I've disagreed with you passionately about these matters (and, by his grace, not merely out of a desire to defend a pay-check).
Nevertheless, I can't imagine how difficult this must have been for you. I am moved by your example and the courage of your convictions. I am thankful as well for the peaceable resolution that has come about with your family at Chevis Oaks. I will be praying for you in the days to come and for your family as well as he appoints your steps.
Love, grace, and peace,
Michael
Mike,
Thank you for your kind words. Please know that this is not an issue that I'm going to become dogmatic about. I realize that there are many godly people who disagree with me. I've thought about that quite a bit. It gives me pause. In the end, I had to act on personal convictions, but at the same time I'm happy to be united with brothers in Christ who are salaried pastors.
It has been a gift from God that Chevis Oaks has responded the way it has. I'm hoping that some good can come out of this. Maybe my example will inspire others there to act on their own convictions; I hope so. They have been sweet to us and we look forward to continuing our friendships with them. We only live about eight minutes from the church building so we have been able to reassure them that we will visit on a regular basis.
Thanks again. I hope all is well with you and your family.
God bless, Eric
Eric,
I commend and affirm your decision and believe you will begin to see more and more of Christ as you walk this way. God is stirring the hearts of many to this walk and as one of them I welcome you to the journey. If I can be of any encouragement along the way don't hesitate to write. dweaver@douglasweaver.net
Eric, your spiritual muscles are about to be stretched much farther than you think. (I know, I've been where you are) You will need prayers from everyone - those that agree and those that disagree with your decision.
You are stepping out to honor God with your convictions. I applaud you for that. I won't be essy. It wasn't meant to be. Your preaching and teaching will take on a whole new level of confidence and power. Your dependence on God will grow stronger and you won't be tempted to tone down or change your message because of offending someone who supports you. (I have seen this too many times in my life - and it still sickens me)
God bless you and your family!
I would suggest you accept any "gifts" and "love offerings" along the way. God still blesses with "pennies from Heaven" along the way.
Eric,
I am greatly blessed to know this news. I commend you for the faith, faithfulness and courage of one's convictions that this involves.
I, also, am not surprised as I've seen your thinking unfold during the time I have read your blog.
My own experience during ten years of unpaid ministry as the leader of a part of God's family,is of His amazing faithfulness. I would never exchange those years for all of the previous years as the paid pastor.
There is only one shepherd of the flock and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, who proved Himself to be so.
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
Eric,
You are in our prayers!
Doug, Eddie, and John,
Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement. This has been a difficult decision, but now that it has been made I feel relieved and invigorated.
I'll be honest: it sure would be nice to know what occupation the Lord has for me. However, His timing is much better than ours. Thanks so much for your prayers!
Eric,
As I've told you, I appreciate your example, and I'm continue to pray for you. I'm looking forward to hearing more about what God teaches you and does through you and your family.
-Alan
Alan,
Thanks so much for your example to me, for your prayers, and for your friendship. We are looking forward to what God will do. It is a bit stressful, but at the the same time we have no doubt that this is what we must do. That is exciting.
Eric,
I am moved by your decision. It is refreshing to see God's servants turn from "professional ministry" and embrace what I have come to see as a more scriptural model. We all have a lot to learn. Not too long ago I would have thought you were out of your mind to do this.
I pray God brings you all much comfort and joy during this time.
Have you thought about UPS? ;0)
Paul,
Thank you so much. It has been a long process, but we are happy to be at this point now. I agree that we all have a lot to learn.
As for UPS, I think that saga in my life is long past. I sure hope the Lord gives me something a little less physically taxing. Now if they would just let me start out driving one of their package cars...sadly, it doesn't work that way.
Thanks again.
So exciting!!! I am so happy for you and so excited at your response to His promptings!
Thank you for courageously listening to God. wow that's awesome. I can't imagine how difficult this was or will be - we stepped away from our 'in the walls/Sunday' church a few months ago -- a church that we helped 'plant' / 'launch' whatever you want to call it.....
it was so hard --- and still is in many ways - and I wasn't on staff or a pastor or anything -- so I can only imagine how much more difficult your decision has been or will be.
Through our experience on church leadership --- He revealed so much to us through that time and opened our eyes to so many things ---- so much that we couldn't possibly do anything but GO and allow Him to show us how it all can look - not just on paper!
I look forward to seeing all you learn and all God does through you and through this time! He has been faithful to bring other 'sheep' into our path and lead us on... and I know He will do the same for yall.
Remember you don't have to see the entire path ahead of you ---- He only promises a lamp unto your feet --- and so it's one step at a time, right?
:) Look forward to reading more!!
Randi Jo,
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement! We really are excited about all this. You are right though - it has been a difficult decision. The folks at Chevis Oaks have been wonderful. That's made it even harder to leave. Despite this, we know we are doing what we must.
It sounds like we have had some similar circumstances. That is interesting. I hope your new church situation has been working out well - it sounds like it is.
I look forward to writing about the things I learn in the future. I'm sure there are many new things about the church on the horizon that God is going to show us. Praise Him!
Eric,
I'm very happy for you and your family. Please let us know if there's anything we can do. You'll be in our prayers...still.
Jeff
Jeff,
Thank you so much for your support and prayer. We'll definitely know if you can help. God bless.
Bless you in your new journey friend. The Lord will be with you.
sunestauromai,
Thank you so much. God is good and faithful. He will carry us through this time. I look forward to what He is going to do.
Eric,
I hope you are able to find a job. "Ministerial" training is evidently worthless to private sector hiring managers.
Geoff
Goeff,
Thanks. You are right in that ministerial training often means very little in the secular world. I'm trusting in the sovereignty of God, and at the same time doing what I can. I'd appreciate your prayers.
Praise God for His Spirit working in both you and your wife. Thirty years ago I made the same decision and am sooo thankful. So you discovered the NT instructions on the freedom and reward that comes from serving "free of charge"? 1 Cor. 9 You found that there is a greater blessing from "giving than receiving", and "meeting your own needs"? Acts 20 Institutionalized forms are in such denial regarding Paul's teaching and example on "refusing the right to be paid". Yes, the right is there, but it should be refused due to the strategic investment reasons Paul gives. As a result very high percentage of saints in institutionalized faith are left self-centered, lazy, and perpetually non-reproductive in their faith.
Over the years I have learned to call this concept of church 100% church.
100% giving goes beyond the giver-no pooling of money for ourselves
100% two-way communication - no lecture - "preach the word" does not mean lecture the word
100% mutual relationships - no power pyramid or pedestalizing titles
100% reproducing leadership - everything is entrusted to others
100% intergenerational - no one is sent away for any reason
100% participation - everyone has personal expression to contribute
Like you, my wife has been an imperative key to the whole process. God used her and her family to provide a very humble job for me that we have stayed in for 28 years. It is all worship. 1 Cor. 15:58 You are still a shepherd, still a pastor, in fact you are the real kind now because you will be shepherding just like the chief shepherd in only mutual dynamic. The chief shepherd only operates in mutual relationship. He is never a one-way communication God.
Tim,
Thanks for the encouragement. I am looking forward to serving without salary. It will be so freeing. Praise the Lord.
Eric,
I'm glad this is a conscience-clearing thing for you. I wish you well, your church well, and hope the new church endeavor advances the kingdom. Also, I'm looking forward to more blog posts in the future! :)
Steve,
Thank you very much. It has been quite an experience. While I know many other Christian people who have come to different conclusions about this issue, I could no longer ignore what I read in scripture about the church in general and the role of the pastor/elder in particular. I'll be blogging about this fairly consistently over the next month or so as I better formulate what I'm going to say. Thanks again.
Eric,
I will pray for you.
Though I do not have your theological aversion to professional ministry (I've been close to it for years) I recently decided to take a major financial risk for the sake of having a real job that is a service to others (been paying for seminary as a barista), to have contact with a greater number of non-believers, and to be able to have enough money to serve others. I dropped down on hours, quit my barista job, got certified to teach public school math, and did not get hired.
I found myself unhireable with a great deal of skills I learned doing odd jobs for free while in Bible college, but with a meaningless degree and no valuable work experience. And most coffee shops won't hire me because being 25 makes it seem like I'll quit at soon as a real job opens up.
So, yeah, prayers are needed. I shake my head now every time I hear about somebody getting their undergraduate degree in anything related to theological studies.
Geoff
Geoff,
Wow. You have been through a lot. I understand what you are saying about getting a degree in theological studies. It's wonderful for sake of the learning, but whoever gets that degree better know how to do something else as well.
Eric,
I'm fairly expert at math, but you have to be degreed to do it professionally. Lot's of things are never revealed to young men getting undergraduate degrees in bible college...one of them is that they should get a seminary degree after they go to a trade school and then get a degree in something whimsical like physics, poetry, or classics.
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