Max Lucado Announces He’s Stepping Down as Senior Pastor
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Sun, March 18, 2007
- Viewed 109
- (24) comments so far
March 5, 2007
Dear Oak Hills Family,
I pray this letter finds you in the midst of the greatest day and sweetest season of your life! Our God is indeed faithful.
I’d like to update you on some recent health developments and a resulting decision from the Oak Hills elders. While my spiritual heart is in a wonderful state, my physical heart has developed some irregularities. We have high hopes for complete healing; yet, I need to make some lifestyle adjustments. I have already begun reducing my leadership responsibilities. I still plan to bring the weekend messages, but will opt out of some of the weekly meetings.
My health concerns have also prompted a decision to inaugurate a succession plan. Though I have always known that, at some point my responsibilities would change, I had envisioned this happening years from now. However, these health concerns have moved up the timetable. I wholeheartedly (excuse the pun) feel it is time to identify and invite the next Senior Minister. Oak Hills needs a healthy, full-time servant in this position. Upon his selection, I will turn my attention to doing more what I love to do the most: writing and preaching.
I have no intention of leaving this great church, but simply altering my role in it. Yes, this is a major step, but one that will benefit the health of us all.
Would you pray for God’s guidance in this process? I know you will. Of course, we will keep you apprised of any developments. Thank you for being a lighthouse to San Antonio. May God bless you richly.
Your brother,
Max Lucado
SOURCE: Dallas News Religion Blog
The best-selling author of Christian inspiration and advice books has heart problems. He plans to stay at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, but not as pastor. Here's the letter he wrote the church:
Comments
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Peter Hamm on Mon, March 19, 2007
Let’s all pray for swift healing for Max!
Mark on Mon, March 19, 2007
I have always admired Max Lucado’s writings and insights. He has blessed me and countless people with his books. It sounds like stepping down is the right thing to do for him. I imagine he has prayed and sought the Lord’s will on this. Maybe he will bless us with more books. But there is one oversight here. It is one that many pastors are making these days, namely, that former pastors stay in the church they pastored after they step down. This prevents the church and the new pastor from God’s leading for them in new and fresh directions. Despite what a former pastor may say or do, people will still see him as pastor. It prevents new leadership from leading. Worse yet, this practice often leads to conflict and division. The debacle at First Baptist of Dallas when Dr. Criswell retired and stayed is not uncommon. Regardless, however well-intentioned or godly the main players may be, this practice is never wise. Usually someone or even the former pastor will say, “ but what about the pastor and his needs? All his friends and his home are here.” We must be careful to remember that this is not about people or pastors. This is about the good of the Body of Christ. In pastoral theology class in seminary years ago, we were taught that we should leave a church and the town, never returning unless invited. This prevents the “ghost of pastors-past” from haunting the new pastor and the church. It allows the spirit of God to blow in fresh ways.
Alan on Mon, March 19, 2007
To Mark,
While the transistion at First Dallas was a strained one, there were many contributing factors there, I have seen the pastor stay in several churches after retiring and it worked out fine. In fact the retired pastors actually set an example of support and humility for the new pastor coming in. It provided a time of transistion for bothr the church and both pastors. I was the incoming pastor in one of these churches!! I was thankful and blessed to have two retired pastors in the congregation!! They were a great source of wisdom, insight, and freindship. They were very helpful to the “new pastor in town.”
Mark on Mon, March 19, 2007
Sure, the main contributing factor at FBC Dallas was that Criswell stayed after he retired and he should not have. Just becasue there are people who live to 100 who smoked, never exercised, and drank a fitth of whiskey every day, does not mean the exeptions remove the rule. Pastors can be just as helpful and just as godly in another place that is not a fraught with possiblities for conflict and division. In fact, retired pastors might be even more used of the Lord in a new place. I have seen that more often, Alan.
Michael on Mon, March 19, 2007
Mark I do see your point about the potential problems/issues that could arise if Max were to stay at the church when the new pastor takes over. I have seen churches go through the difficulties you speak of and understand why seminaries teach us to “get out of Dodge”. My problem with that notion is that its pessemistic, chalked full of all the potential problems, but none of the potential benefits. Not only that, but it tends to nullify the notion that it is God, not us who selects what church we should attend, who should pastor where and when and in what capacity and that God is able to keep and flourish His church in any given state.
1Corithians 12:18 “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” When we understand that it’s God that places each of us in the church of His choosing and He alone knows what’s best for the Body there is no need to make such blanket statements/decisions that discount what the Word says and simply respond to what we’ve seen, experienced or what has historically happened in the church at large.
In this instance I could see the benefit of years of wisdom, support and mentorship available to the new pastor. I can see Max learning how to be served by others, namely the new pastor; and him learning how to back away and be in a position under the authority of someone else. (Boy does that take some growth). This will teach the church that all authority comes from God and we should be submitted to the one God places in the position of the senior pastor/minister. They need to to be submitted to the new pastor because that’s what the Word says, not because the former pastor is long gone so they don’t have any choice.
The natural cycle of life is that we spend our life supporting and serving others and as we age we are positioned where we need to be served and need the support of others. We don’t know what will happen with his health or how long this process will take. Who knows it may get to the place where it is impossible for him to relocate. I think all of this could very well teach the Body of Christ to keep their eyes on the Lord. This very well could be a teaching opportunity and not an oversight. This requires great teaching and that the pastor model what he preaches.
In closing let me say that I have seen/heard of many transitions similar to this one that have worked and been a blessing. I have seen former pastors stay. One case in particular (a church I attended) I saw the old pastor, mentor the new up and coming pastor and direct the members to the new pastor. And things have flourished and after 20 years that old pastor is still there in his diminished role and under the authority of the new pastor and the church has changed pastors 4 times and grown from 600 people to over 4000 without a hitch because everyone listened to the Lord. In another church I heard about, the former pastor didn’t feel led to leave, but decided not to attend the church for a year after the transition was made. Then he returned and things have continued to go well many years later.
I don’t think pastors and church leadership should respond to such situations pessemistically,with fear of what could go wrong, but they should be led by the Holy Spirit and expect the Lord to build and influence His church to His glory. No offense, but leave or stay: that’s the Lord’s decision, not ours.
Michael on Mon, March 19, 2007
To Mark,
Mark you said, “Just becasue there are people who live to 100 who smoked, never exercised, and drank a fitth of whiskey every day, does not mean the exeptions remove the rule.” I would not go so far as to say what a seminary professor says (even one who was a long time pastor) or some textbook determine the rules. No offense friend. They offer good advice and guidance, but the Spirit and the Word trump them all. We can’t let education and personal experience take precident over them. Education and experiences are guides, not rules.
Mark on Mon, March 19, 2007
I don’t think that concept of pastors leaving a church for good is pessimistic at all. It is realistic! It is based on the sin nature of all us, insecure and sinful forner pastors, lay people, and new pastors. It is based on the natural understand that sheep know their shepherd’s voice and find it hard not to follow him, even when he is no longer their pastor.
I have been in denominatonal leadership for 25 years. We have had dozens of pastor retirements in my tenure. One right now has the former pastor staging a comeback after running off the last 2 pastors. And this pastor was a good man who got coaxed in by people opposed to change. The best transitions are ones were the ones where the pastor left and stayed away,
It might be nice to experiment and see if the exceptions might be the rule. But the carnage of torn up churches is not worth the risks or even the rewards. The ruined reputations and the stain on the name of Christ are not worth the risks. And this is not fear-based. It is based upon an understanding of the depavity of man and a love for the church
Mark on Mon, March 19, 2007
I understand your point about rules, Michael. But there is an old Irish proverb that says: “God is good but don’t dance in a small boat.” God may protect former pastors, churches, and new pastors in some of these exceptions that you and Alan describe. But that road is littered with failures and tragedies. It is unrealistic and perhaps arrogant to believe that our situations are doing to be different. Besides, all of us need some rules we live by. They keep us from doing something stupid. I have several of them. Don’t speed on the freeway in the rain. Don’t spend more money than I make. Don’t do your own dental work. This is one of those type of rules: Don’t stay in a church you pastored.
Michael on Mon, March 19, 2007
To Mark,
What you’ve said is still based upon your experience, not on the Word. To base the churches reality upon man’s sinful nature and corrupt pastors isn’t what God bases reality upon, the church maybe, but not God. And surely He can’t be pleased with that. Obviously we should be aware of it, but we shouldn’t base what we do upon it, but upon the Spirit’s leading. Unfortunately people who have problems hearing the voice of a new pastor actually (unbeknowst to them) have the larger problem of not being in line with the Word themselves. I’m all for loyalty to pastors, but not at the expense of disobedience to the Word. Jesus is the Shepherd we should obey/follow and the undershepherd (minister) we follow and obey at the leading of the Shepherd. It sounds like in the churches/pastorates you’ve referred to the folks needed some shaking up. They needed to be in a situation where they can see that they haven’t truly died and bowed their will to the Lord.
I think God is in the process of cleaning house and calling us back to the understanding that the church is His not our, it’s His way not ours and we’re called to take up the cross and follow Him. To be “realistic” but leave God’s will and power out of the equation by default leaves us in a state where we respond to situations based upon fear and then we call that realistic versus obeying the Spirit at all cost. Your experiences simply show that the church needs to grow up and come up to where the Lord want them to be and unfortunately many aren’t in line with the Lord’s will and have dug their heels in for the long haul. So dealing with this type of issue won’t happen without these types of controversies. But that’s ok
It requires both pastors and churches who are led by the Holy Spirit. If one group isn’t there will naturally be issues. And especially for the pastors who are led by the Lord, it will take them standing in His power and might against a foolish congregation when it is God’s desire to release a congregation from their tradition and exercising their own will which opposes His. But God is still in control in situations like this so even in this we do not have to fear.
We must be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that we get beyond what society or even the church considers realistic and start living like a Kingdom people whose idea of what is realistic is determined by God. Maybe it’s realistic because that’s the way it’s happened, but I don’t believe that this is the reality the Lord desires and it will take couragous, spirit led people to lead the charge toward positive change.
Michael on Mon, March 19, 2007
To Mark,
Mark you said, “Besides, all of us need some rules we live by.” I agree friend. The Word of God is the rule for it is truth, Scripture teaches us (John 17:17). And let me add to this thought by saying having the truth (rule book) by itself doesn’t ensure success. Jesus said in John 16:13 the Spirit would lead us into all truth. So we need both to make the right decisions about these things.
Mark on Mon, March 19, 2007
Of course, this conversation we are having is based on experience, MIchael. I have mine and you have yours. But the Biible does not cover these kinds of things, except the transitions of kings in Israel and the passing from Moses to Joshua. And there are no prescriptive things we can hermeneutically draw from those. I just fail to see what is more Holy Spirit-led about pastors who stay in churches after their resignation Why pastor persist in staying if there is the slightest danger that the unity of the body and sowing discord among the brethern is a possiblity? Sure, churches should be more able to handle transitions better as youu sugest. I ageee. But they don’t. It is one thing to clean house and another to demolish it.. So more wiser people and more spiritual people, like former pastors, should move after their resignation and graciously prevent the possiblity of being a stumlingblock. And we pastors must remember that our concern imust be for the good of the Body of Christ.
Michael on Mon, March 19, 2007
To Mark,
I must say I am enjoying this dialogue. I will say that there is a great deal we do not understand about various decisions God and/or people make. You say you don’t understand why a Holy Spirit led pastor would stay or be led to stay. I can’t say I always know either. There are many things I don’t understand as well. You said, “But the Bible does not cover these kinds of things, except the transitions of kings in Israel and the passing from Moses to Joshua. And there are no prescriptive things we can hermeneutically draw from those.” That’s why this is a faith thing and not an understanding thing. Why we have to be led when the Word of God doesn’t clearly tell us what we should do in that situation.
Churches should handle transition better, but they don’t, you’re right. But should we cater to that in opposition to the Spirit’s leading?
I think ultimately our concern should be for following the Holy Spirit’s leading and not for the Body concerning such issues. If I follow the Spirit’s leading everything else will work out for the Body’s benefit because God knows what He is doing and is responsible for the results of what he tells me to do. It’s His church and He is more than able to take care of her and deal with her accordingly. But to listen to Body and ignore the Spirit may seem like it benefits the Body, but God more than anyone else understands what the church really needs. Many people have various opinions on what the church needs, but God is the only one who truly knows.
You talked about there being a difference between cleaning house and demolishing a church. Honestly, and this may seem radical, some churches need cleaning and others probably need to be demolished. It’s God’s church and if they don’t want to do things His way they just need to acknowledge that and do their own thing apart from the cloak of doing it in Jesus name. A pastor leaving so that the church can remain unified in their disobedience is the wrong reason to leave for the sake of keeping unity within the church. This unity itself is based in selfishness and that in and of itself is a problem.
My thing is that untimately we need to place less emphasis on experience; yours, mine, anyone elses and be led by the Spirit in all things. Doing so will bring unity health and growth to the church. God knows how to go about working out the kinks. If He chooses to do that by leading a former pastor to stay around, who am I come against that? If he sends the pastor on his way and does it some other way that’s fine as well. But I don’t want to be one who says or limits how God works or determine what is or is not of God based upon what I do or don’t understand when the Word doesn’t give us a clear directive.
Let’s just let God be God, let Him build His church and be the Lord of our lives. He’s omnipresent geographically and chronologically. He already knows exactly what the church needs and has provided for it. We simply follow His lead.
Jim in NJ on Mon, March 19, 2007
There are also the purely human issues. Does the pastor own the house he is living in? Selling that house and moving might be a financial burden. Do his children and grandchildren live in the area? It would be cruel to expect them to move away from their family.
Of course they could stay in the same area and attend a different church, but that might have its own problems.
I realize we must be obedient to the Holy Spirit, but we can misinterpret what the Holy Spirit is telling us to do. Our humanity sometims gets in the way.
Much depends upon the whether the senior pastor is leaving on his own volition or whether he is being forced by circumstances to leave. In the latter case, there might be some resentment and a reluctance to let go.
That is where a strong and independent Board can be effective if it is dedicated to God and not to a person.
Michael on Mon, March 19, 2007
Jim,
Great points Jim, and very valid ones. Our own desires and motives do play a role and can affect what we believe we have heard the Holy Spirit say. The great thing about it is that God is no less in control and God will make known and confirm His will to the minister, the elders and the Body. And as you’ve mentioned a strong independent board is able to stand and represents God’s wishes when they are led by and dedicated to God, not the pastor or themselves. Thanks for your post.
Leonard on Mon, March 19, 2007
Hey let’s trust Max and the elders there to hear God’s discernment as to whether he stays for god and keep praying for his ministry and family in a difficult season.
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