Podcast: Is It Okay to Not Know What You Believe When You Leave?
The Disadvantage of Transition: Not Being on Stable & Equal Ground
People expect that you should have immediate answers for why you are leaving their faith group and, ultimately, where you are going. After all, you’ve obviously found something better. Right? Should you have an answer – or is it okay to not know? Some people are naturally more adept at deep study and spend months looking at the issues. Others are less comfortable with theological questions, and/or have a sudden and sharp departure – thus feeling woefully unprepared.
In either case, there’s usually a significant disadvantage to the person leaving (for many reasons) when discussing theology or spiritual things. This is a natural companion to untimely transition. Sometimes leaving is not about knowing where you’re going, but rather, why you’re going.
So is it okay to not have answers? Is it okay to not be able to explain your belief?
Hi James,
I happened to find your site today while over on william-branham.org site. I listened to your podcast “is it okay to not know what you believe when you leave.” I believe God is going to use you to bring healing to me. My journey is long but my wife and I back in the mid 90’s left bible school in which we were training to become missionary’s as well as a pastorate degree for myself when I came across a book that referenced William Branham in the Bible Schools library. From there I got deep into listening to his messages and reading his books. Within about 6 months I left the Church I was Youth Pastoring at along with the Bible School we were attending. For about 23 years I was involved in several ministries outside the confines of denominations. But in 2021 after my wife passed away from brain cancer and my Pastor at the time giving the eulogy that the reason my wife died such a horrific death was because she had a Jezebel spirit, I decided to leave a church family that I was so close to for the past 16 years. The Pastor told my children that I was leaving because I no longer had Christ and I was an antichrist to them and my thoughts put death curses to them. Today my 4 children ages 16 to 25 are still part of the ministry. I lost my closest friends, father in-law, and children to it. Only in the past couple months have I seen a couple of my kids slowly begin to come around. It certain has been a journey with moments that in which I still wonder how I could of went down the path I did but also questions of who I am in Christ. What a battle it has and continues to be. Sorry for the long winded comment but God bless you Brother. May the Love and Peace of God bring a great anointing to you and through you as His spirit ministers to those who have been so wounded.
Jesse, thank you so much for sharing such a heartfelt story.
First of all, I am so very sorry how your former pastor horribly mishandled the passing of your wife. It is unconscionable, and stunning to me these types of stories that cross my path. I would have made a decision to leave too – there’s no explanation to make that behavior acceptable.
It is a hard journey, I know… dealing with the loss and reflection of years past. Regrets and ‘what ifs’ are not profitable… but they are hard to avoid. I trust with time, your children will recognize for themselves the circumstance. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, nothing can be forced and time is the greatest enemy of the message. It exposes, and continues to expose. Stay steady, and keep seeking to find your own healing and well-being. As the ground steadies beneath you, you’ll find yourself standing strong, opportunities to reconnect with your children will come – and you’ll be in a better place to meet them.
…James