My husband's last day as Pastor was this past Sunday

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Permalink Reply by John Tyler on October 24, 2011 at 8:03am

I'm not sure that this is the right word, but Congratulations! You have taken an enormous and painful step, but with your hearts set on serving Jesus will be blessed.

You may already have read The Rabbit and the Elephant (Tony and Felicity Dale and George Barma), but if not, may I heartily recommend it to you. I think that it will have some very pertinent things to say to you in your current situation.

It's great that the church is paying a salary until the end of the year. A little breathing space! Something I learned when leaving an insitutional church was the need to overcome feelings that I did not realise were even there. I talked with some people about my reasons for leaving in a way that I thought was loving and even supportive. Later, I realised that in reality a degree of negativity and resentment had come through, and had to deal with it. And, oh boy! isn't it hard truly to forgive people who have behaved badly? Please don't think that I am pointing a finger at you two, as I most certainly am not; I have no idea of the details of your inner turmoils. But if my past wrongs can help then I may as well share them.

I'm sure that the prayers of many will be with you both now and in the future.

Blessings on you both.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Stewart on October 27, 2011 at 12:56pm

The Platform/Pew, Performance/Passivity Paradigm detox period is survivable. "Been there, done that." I've had more fulfilling opportunities since I learned to go about the function of pastoring, rather than the form/office. Way too many expectations with the latter and accountability is a one-way street.

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Permalink Reply by Joshua Westcott on November 20, 2011 at 11:18am

This is encouraging to hear!  Be blessed as our Lord leads your family.  The wilderness won't be forever, not if we're willing to sacrifice - If you thought leaving the church was the end of the 'dying to oneself' process, guess again, haha.  Buckle up, as our Lord will continue to show you what parts of you need to be put to death so that He may be your all-in-all.  I don't know what those parts are, but He does.  You and your husband are right where our Lord wants you, and you are there because of His grace and kindness.  Keep us updated, Kellie.  :)

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Permalink Reply by Kellie McGarry on November 20, 2011 at 2:43pm

THanks everyone! yes, there is freedom now but I know we still have work cut out for us- thankful God gives the strength and glad to know we are doing the work of the Lord. We were blessed with the opportunity to visit an organic church in Orange, CA and enjoyed it so much! We can't find a good house church here but in the meantime, we are fellowshipping with our Life Group from our old church because it ended up having people in it who weren't attending our church and were burned out from their experiences. So they are all supportive of us. Our plans are to move to Phoenix in June b/c we  have our house there and my family lives there. Hoping to find a good organic/ house church there. My dad is a pastor and we still have not told my parents. Please pray they take it well! I will make sure the know there is no judgment.

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Permalink Reply by Kellie McGarry on November 20, 2011 at 2:45pm

Sorry, I just realized I had repeated myself from the original post. I appreciate your words of advice and encouragement!

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Stewart on November 20, 2011 at 4:09pm

blessings, Blessings, BLESSINGS!

 

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Permalink Reply by Patricia Campbell on February 5, 2012 at 1:59am

Hi Kelly,

Would you be interested in visiting my friends' house church in Visalia? It's about 40 minutes from you. Let me know and I'll send you the details. I live on the coast about 4 hours from you. God bless you!

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Permalink Reply by Kellie McGarry on February 8, 2012 at 11:42am

oh wow, I didn' t know there was a house church in Visalia!  That would have been neat to check out, though still a little bit far for us to drive.  At this point, we will just wait to find one in Phoenix, as we are moving back there in a couple of weeks.  That is where we are from- we have a house there and my family lives there.  Lots of changes, but we have so much peace about it! 

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