Vega For The Win...

Currently drinking: breakfast blend coffee.
Currently listening: Come Away EP by Brian McCleery
(Brian's song, Resting Place, is a staple for my morning quiet times.)


Vega, our 7 month old Aussie, had her first big night of flock protection. There is a shed near the chicken coop. If ever a chicken tries to roost there for the night, carnage is the inevitable result. I don't know if the murderers are raccoons, opossums, or coyotes- but I have never seen a wayward chicken survive an evening in there.... until now.

Yes, this morning, as I was sauntering down to the coops in my bright pink galoshes, Vega came rushing out to greet me. She was exuberant, dripping wet from the storm last night, and soooo glad to see me. She is a puppy after all, so everything seemed normal about this until I walked in the shed to get some feed. Vega started huffing and pulling on my leg- and once my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I saw the reason for Vega's galvanized behavior...

Such a pitiful sight! Oats, one of our new mothers, was hanging upside down awkwardly with her foot caught in a tarp. While I went to work on her liberation, I recalled last night's poultry patrol alerts. We usually hear some sort of commotion- but last night, the dogs were especially active and stayed unusually close to the coop. (Normally we hear barking and growling start in the chicken yard and move quickly into the woods as the dogs chase would-be assassins back up the hill.) Even Imma, our ancient dog, was snarling intermittently from her spot on the front porch.

Now I understood.

Vega, Pax's guard-dog apprentice, had stayed by Oats all night long, in the rain... breaking the curse of the shed.

That'll do, Vega. That'll do.

Leaving A Church...

Currently drinking: Made In The Shade coffee
Currently listening: Hurry Up, We're Dreaming by M83

Christians ARE the church, so when people talk about leaving 'the church', my hackles rise slightly. We are all on the same side. So, how does one leave a particular fellowship without feeling like they are betraying the home team and joining the enemy? There are plenty of resources to help people choose a home fellowship; but I have been hard pressed to find good advice for when you decide to leave, and leave gracefully.

I have some thoughts...

1.) Strong, competitive lines have been drawn between churches. It can feel like you are moving through a war zone when you start attending a different one. Don't let it hold you back. It's not personal, it's cultural. Satan is not winning just because you choose to attend a different church. It's a free kingdom, after all.

2.) You are not breaking up with anyone. Do NOT think you have to justify your transition by finding fault in your previous church family. Accusation is the enemy's territory. Instead, fight tooth and nail to keep your thought life captive. Even if you have been wounded- keep your mouth SHUT! Keep your love on.

3.) Your circle of friends will inevitably change. It stinks, but it's true. If you didn't hang out with certain people outside of church functions, it's not likely you will once you stop.

4.) Be grateful for the time spent at your last church. No matter how the relationship currently stands, the pastoral team has spent years praying for you, loving you, visiting you in the hospital, and trying their best to get it right. (And if you hear about them speaking poorly of you, trust the Lord's vindication. Make it a sacrifice of praise to honor those that don't honor you.) You may not get the opportunity to ever speak with the leadership about how you feel or why you are leaving- and it's very possible that they don't understand or agree with your decision. Just move on in peace. Let it go.

*If you are leaving because leadership has hurt you, look for opportunities to meet with them. Miscommunication is a killer. Most of the time, things can be worked out. However if the situation does include mega wounding and you don't feel safe sharing your feelings with them, my advice is to stick it out for as long as it takes to make sure you are not leaving with offense or bitterness. Don't leave until the sight of them walking down a hallway doesn't make you want to quickly turn and walk the other direction. Don't leave until you can think about the painful experience without tears or stomach cramps. Only leave when you are at peace.*

5.) Be aware that your motives will be questioned. Sometimes, the Lord just places you in other fellowships and it's not complicated or emotionally initiated. Seasons change. That's hard for people to believe, however, so be prepared for them to want the 'real' reason for your exit.

6.) Leave quietly.

7.) Go to the new church for the right reasons. Don't go because you like their worship team, you like the teaching, or you like the people. Go because you experience the presence of the Lord when you gather together with them. Reversely, don't stay at a church only out of obligation or habit. Learn the distinction between the Lord's presence and a soul-touching atmosphere. Good music, fog machines, fancy lighting, and energetic speaking are effective tools to help us get in a heavenly mindset for an hour- but make sure you sense the manifest movement of Holy Spirit as well. Make sure the worship is focused on the Lord and not simply engaging and revving up the congregation.

8.) It's okay to feel sad about the transition.

9.) It's okay to feel relieved once you leave.

10.) And it's okay to never know why you feel the way you do.