“Lesson Four: You may be called to transition or leave, but others probably are not. ”
Remember, you are potentially the only one on your team that is leaving or transitioning, other people will have to show up to work on the Monday after you leave.
This lesson ties in with guarding the hearts of those we lead, but leans more towards our peers and those we work alongside.
I transitioned out of an incredible team of guys and girls who are changing the world. They all had to show up to work after I left. There were several times, actually lots of times where I collapsed on the couch in my very dear friend Andrew Nemeth's office and began to process all that was happening. It is great to process and to have peers even co-workers who understand everything and can help process, but be a great friend and don't share everything, or anything that may taint their view of the place that God has called them to be.
Don't partner with the enemy's desire to divide, steal, kill, and destroy.
I didn't always do this to the level I should have.
There will be moments where the emotion and chaos of transition get to you and you will need to process...talk with your spouse, your parents, a rock, your pet, but whatever you do guard the hearts of those who are called to stay.
Remember you may be called to transition or leave, but they probably are not.
This idea also applies to people you lead.
I had the humbling opportunity to lead an incredible tribe of college students and young adults called The Grove. They have a collective destiny to change the atmosphere of Castle Rock, Colorado. My season as their leader was done, their season of moving forward was not.
Transition is not a time for you to rally troops to your cause.
Imagine if Moses had convinced people who were destined for the promise land to stay with him when everyone else was preparing to cross the Jordan. His journey with that tribe of people was over, but their destiny was just beginning.
Do not rob people of their journey and progress with the Lord so that you can feel emotionally better about yourself. That is not leadership, that is abuse.
If the people you lead all leave the church because you transitioned out, you have not taught them to follow Jesus or to be faithful. You have taught them to follow you.
Champion your peers and those you lead to remain faithful and seek the face of God for his plan for their lives regardless of it includes you or not.