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“At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but ALL DESERTED ME. May it not be charged against them!” 2 Timothy 4:16
MANY LEADERS and followers find it disturbing when people leave a leader without giving tangible reasons. This is very common in churches.
Often they assume that when people leave a leader it must be caused by the leader’s fault, the leader’s actions and inactions, lack of capacity on the part of the leader, the bad character of the leader or the leader’s inability to manage properly.
All the above could be factors, but many people decide to follow some leaders regardless of the aforementioned weaknesses.
Followers especially close associates have left many leaders including those in churches mentally stressed for their disappointing actions.
It is true that a leader needs followers to be genuinely made one, but this is not always the case in leadership. Many mistakes will be avoided if we get this theory right.
King Saul forced himself to offer an offering which he was not supposed to offer when he realized that the people were leaving him. He wanted to please the people and not to fulfill his mandate as a leader. He messed it up.
The voice of the people is not always the voice of God. We need to open our eyes. I entreat every leader most especially those in our churches to pay attention to the pieces of advice I have presented below:
Never allow your spirit to be hurt when someone leaves you.
Never allow your soul to be wounded when people leave you.
Never kill yourself because some has left you.
Never kill yourself because someone has disappointed you.
Never kill yourself because someone is leaving you for your failure.
Never lose your focus because someone has left you.
Never lose your bearing because someone has left the church even though it is very painful and disturbing.
Never blame yourself because someone has left you even when you were ready and willing to apologize and settle with the person
Most people leave you only to wish for your frustration but never be moved…
To be continued…
By Aps. A.B Prince
