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So why is Dale really leaving?

“Well it’s complicated.”

“That probably means he doesn’t know.”

“Quite possibly.”

Leaving a job or ministry or church is always a complex question. This is now the fifth church I have left. Not counting the home diocese I left on the east coast of Australia in order to be ordained in a diocese on the west coast that I knew nothing about. It is the first church I have left without first being called to another church.

It is always difficult to leave, and it is also difficult to start in a new church. I have found that it is often difficult to be sure that the decision is right, even though I always want to do what God wants.

But he leaves us with the choices. One of the questions is when is it time to finish. One answer is when the work you have been called to do is complete. Another is when it is not possible to do any more. Or when you are called away. Or when it is time for another person to carry on the work because they will do the next stage of work better. One plants and another waters, kind of thing.

The other question is when is it time to work somewhere else. When there is an open door for God’s work perhaps. Maybe in order to make the most of the time.  Or when there is a need you can help meet.

There are many poor motives which all of us have as well: ambition, impatience, greed, losing heart…  Our choices always have mixed motives.

But will it make any difference if Dale leaves or stays? Yes, of course, at a human level.  Some will be relieved and even happy. Some will be sad. Some will be discouraged. Some will look forward to the change and the possibility of something new or different.

But the minister is not the church, and certainly not its head. It is Christ’s church and he never leaves it. He gives pastors and teachers to it as his gift because he wants the Christians to be equipped so that they can build up the church.

The people who are part of All Saints at the moment must pray that the Lord Jesus will bring them another pastor-teacher – and one who will equip them so that they can build his church.

And Joy and I will be thankful for any of you who will share in fellowship with us by your prayers so that the church in Perth may also be built up, just as we thank you for your prayers and fellowship and love over the past six years.

Dale