01245

It is not as rare as one might think, or hope, that congregations sometimes call similar pastors (sometimes even in physical appearance!) time after time.  And no one should be surprised that the same congregational problems keep arising pastor after pastor in such circumstances.  Likewise, some pastors keep finding themselves in congregations with similar types of problems.  And they should not be surprised at the commonality they keep seeking out at some preconscious level.  When scripture says that the sins of the fathers and mothers are visited upon successive generations (Exodus 20:5), it’s not just because God is jealous.  It’s because people often choose not to learn from their mistakes and thereby keep repeating the same patterns of brokenness.  What the popular definition of insanity?  Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  Without seeking good partings, both pastors and congregations can be prone to repeating previous mistakes.

Ten Commandments for Pastors Leaving a Congregation, Lawrence W. Farris, pages xii, xiii