THE PAINFul good in gospel goodbyes

“The pains of saying goodbye are real. Perhaps you can relate—whether it be a temporary goodbye, like what you say at an airport or train station, or a more permanent one, like when the job change comes, or a child leaves home, or life’s circumstances call you elsewhere. Whatever the case, goodbyes weren’t meant to be easy. It’s right and good that we grieve.”

When we planted, we knew that we wanted to be a church that sent people out…back to our families, neighborhoods, places of work, and even to the nations. Church planting can be both glorious and grievous. “It’s hope-filled and heartbreaking.” Church planting involves sending people—hopefully our best—whom we love and cherish. People we’ve invested in, done life with, and ministered alongside. People we’ve wept, laughed, and longed with. People who’ve been there for us in the darkest moments, reminding us of the truths of the gospel and the faithfulness of God. These are people we thank God for, doing so with a deep sense of joy (Phil. 1:3–4)..

The sense of loss over a good thing is truly a good thing. So we really can say goodbye in a God-honoring, Spirit-filled, Christ-commending way. This is not to say there won’t be pain, sorrow, and sadness—there will and should be. But the gospel gives us real hope, purpose, and joy in this painful act of worship. Which means every gospel goodbye is ultimately good.

Adapted from Gospel Goodbyes