What to Say...When You've Said It All

The service I had dreaded was finally upon me. For a couple of weeks I had known that my resignation was coming, and although I knew that I was in the center of God’s will, announcing that publicly is always hard. I preached that Sunday evening and then made the announcement. It was difficult for me and for the church, but I felt better that the news was out.

The problem now was what to say in my final sermons. Beginning sermons are tough because the pastor does not yet know the congregation. Ending sermons are tough too but for the opposite reason. A pastor knows the church so well and wants to say so much but does not have the time.

I made my announcement just prior to the Easter season, so the first couple of weeks would take care of themselves. I preached a Palm Sunday message which centered on the question asked by the people in Matthew 21:10 as Jesus rode into Jerusalem: “Who is this?” The next week was Easter Sunday -- no problem; I preached from Romans 1:1-4 on the subject: “The Meaning of Easter.” Even the third Sunday after my resignation posed little difficulty. Because of all the hoopla surrounding The Da Vinci Code, I thought it would be appropriate to address the truth about Christ. The sermon, “Calling the Witnesses,” centered on John 5:31-40.

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Now I was down to the last two weeks of my ministry in this church. The question that kept coming through my mind was, “What do I say when I have said it all?” I had served the church for almost seven years. To the best of my ability, I had preached the whole counsel of God. I had preached doctrinal, evangelistic, and discipleship messages. I had preached sermons that encouraged, supported, and even warned the congregation. I had called God’s people to faith and to repentance.What do I say when I’ve said it all?

As I prayed about the final Sunday morning services, God led me to two specific messages, each specifically designed to help the church begin its transition. The first, taken from various passages in Acts, was meant to remind the church of its continuing mission no matter whom they called as their next pastor. That message: “A Devoted Church,” targeted the basics, something I had spoken about many times in the past. In essence I reminded the members of the congregation once more that if they are devoted to prayer, preaching, discipleship, service, and missions God will always bless them.

Now the last Sunday was upon me. During my last morning message, I felt strongly that God wanted me to challenge the church in two areas: unity and service. Unity is often elusive during a transition. With each member of the church there is often three opinions on what kind of pastor should be called next and in what direction the church should now move. God always desires his people to serve, but when a pastor leaves, lay people are often called to “step up to the plate” as in no other time in the life of the church, and staff members must “stand in the gap” to minister in areas that otherwise might be left to the pastor.