When the Church Doesn't Like You

A few years ago I had the honor and privilege of being a part of a Church Plant.It was a wonderful experience and I loved being a involved in it.I did a lot of hard work to get the credentials from the denomination that sponsored it.,I wrote papers,attended meetings,read books,spent money,went to counseling,and passed a barrage of psychological tests- all with flying colors I might add.I dug deeper into my soul more than any other time in my life and ministry.In the end I made a few compromises,some of which I'm ashamed of today. 

In March of 2012 I became ill and decided it was time to downsize life a bit.The bad? I'd have to leave the Church plant.The good? I'd get to worship again with my wife.For over 2 years we had not sat together on a church pew with the exception of the Sundays I got to preach,she would visit If she could and vice versa,After it became clear to me I couldn't keep up the grind of "Church in a box" every Sunday,I resigned my position there so that I could devote time to recuperate from my illness.The ugly? In the process of that exodus I was denied the opportunity to re apply for my credentials.This particular denomination has what they refer to as "called and gifted" You have to be called and gifted to a specific church and concurrently that Pastor and Board has to publicly assert your call.Imagine my surprise and heartbreak when the same pastor and virtually the same board that affirmed me 3 years prior ignored my request for renewal.It made my heart glad I had decided to retain my ordination and credentials from another denomination that I've had for 13 years.Nonetheless the disappointment and depression of it all brought up some interesting questions.Who gets to decide who's called to what and gifted in what? It took a lot of forgiveness to remain a part of that church which I still do at the writing of this.I admit there has been times I tied a knot and hung on.But what do you do when the church doesn't like you? When the pastor,who you chose as your mentor,walked with you through the sometimes painful process of almost 3 years passively turns his head? I'm sure Jesus was hurt in a similar way when he went back to his hometown and "could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them".(Mark 6.5) Labeled as the Carpenter's son.(Matthew 13.55) Does that mean The Son of God was powerless somehow? No of course not,I really believe he simply chose not to engage with them.It is crushing to our spirit when the people you have trusted fail to value you,then label you, and refuse to acknowledge you're gifts in the kingdom. Believe me,I know.

So what do you do when the church doesn't  like you? The pastor won't use you?  Do what I did,show up anyway, tithe anyway,pray for other's anyway,participate in mission trips anyway,host small group bible studies anyway,make hospital visits anyway.counsel people anyway,encourage anyway.You preach,you teach,you baptize and you minister anyway,You find a way to use your gifts when you can, in any way possible or necessary.There is plenty of  God's work to be done outside the stained glass windows of structure,so dont' allow it to shackle you.Find the will and God will make a way.Look on the bright-side,it could be worse,they could have nailed you to a cross...........