The Bow.

Dear Elders,

It is with great sadness I write this letter.  Six months ago I came to ____our church_____—called by God to be her pastor.  I came in good faith, at significant cost to my family and intending to spend many years of fruitful ministry.  Sadly, that fruitful ministry will not be realized.

___our church______ has a problem in leadership I cannot abide.  E is a bully.  He bullies church members, staff, and elders.  I am not sure why he has been allowed to continue for so long, but he has.  I am not willing to submit my life to his power.  He is out of control.

The elders have yielded their will to him and allowed him to filter, interpret and twist much of the input they have to make decisions.  I believe E’s loud and consistent cry for everyone to submit to his word without question is dangerous and unbiblical.  I cannot submit to and give voice for ungodly leadership.  I will not lie on his (or your) behalf nor will I participate in his (your?) manipulation of the church and her mission.

I realize this will be perceived as being a reaction to S’s forced sabbatical.  It is not.  S’s sabbatical is merely an excellent example of E’s control of information and meddling control.  E has used tragedy in S’s family as a foothold to isolate and manipulate S’s entire family.  He does it all in the name of Christ and to His shame.

E has tried to control whom I befriend, how I lead, whom I pastor, things and people I can and cannot address, etc.  He has tried to enlist my help (and sadly, I was initially drawn in) to undermine respect for and relationships with staff members, elders and people in the church.  He has told me he speaks for all of you.  I hope not.

E lacks basic qualifications for church eldership—he is not gentle, he is pugnacious, and lacks any humility.  I am weary of E’s belligerent texts, emails and phone calls and will no longer accept them.

I am now giving you my resignation as lead minister of  _____our church____.  The resignation is effective May 1, 2011.

Please advise how you would like me to serve the church during the transition.

Sincerely,

The Wandering Shepherd