Recently some friends and colleagues took issue/offense at the suddenness of our announcement that we were leaving Boston. It was a surprise to me, since the circumstances of our departure were well known, as we had prayed together about them for months. Really, there was no choice, and I thought this was clear. It seems to me if they thought as much about me as I think about them, they would know what was about to happen.
I’m not sure what was expected, and I expect each person handles goodbyes differently. I don’t like long goodbyes, filled with awkward moments and obligatory best wishes or forced praise.
The main reason for handling the situation as I did was I came to the realization that it was time to go and so I did. It was difficult to acknowledge the reality to myself and once I did, it just seemed best to let others know without delay. After all, our supporters deserved to know what was happening sooner rather than later.
Also, I believe I was I led by the Holy Spirit. Some may dispute this, thinking that love for one another demands a more thoughtful way of departing. However, Philip the Evangelist seemed to move suddenly by the overpowering leading of the Holy Spirit. Its’ difficult to imagine he had time to collaborate with others before going to a destination that seemed to even surprise him. Is there room in the church for Philip like people? Maybe there is, but perhaps they should not be administrators.
That may be the problem. Philip was an evangelist and not an administrator. As an evangelist, he needed to be free to move to where the Holy Spirit would link him up with a not-yet-christian. An administrator, on the other hand, must work more closely with people, and, as a result, sudden disappearances are not helpful.
So, I need to manage Boston and Beyond/City Ministry/Nexus City Ministry as a Philip. What would that look like?
- Philip must be free to move about. He needs to be free to go without a lot of collaboration
- Philip needs to be free to reach people where they are at intellectually and physically
- Philip needs to minister the gospel to an unbeliever, continuing the ministry through baptism, teaching them the fundamentals of Christian living and ministry
- The organization and administration of Boston and Beyond must be formed based upon these principles
Adoniram Judson also caused hard feelings when leaving places suddenly and without notice. In fact, when he left for the mission field with his newly wed wife, he did so rising early in the morning to avoid goodbyes. His outraged in-laws caught up with him and chastised him severely. Misery loves company:-)