BLESSABLE || Transitioning Well

May 5

Genesis 28:10-15 New Living Translation

10 Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. 11 At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. 12 As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway. 13 At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. 14 Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. 15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”

GOD WANTS TO BLESS YOUR TRANSITIONS. HE WILL BLESS THE TRANSITIONS YOU LET HIM LEAD.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY TRANSITIONS?

Transitions are the time and space between assignments.

The “hallways” of life.

Everyone experiences transitions

Some transitions are very short, others are very long

Healthy transitions take place when Holy Spirit leads you through those times and spaces. God blesses healthy transitions.

Our heart at East Gate is that you would hear God’s voice, connect with His heart, and walk with Him in obedience through every transition of your life

SOMETHING OR SOMEONE WILL LEAD YOUR TRANSITIONS

God WANTS to BLESS and LEAD you in healthy transitions

PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR TRANSITIONS:

1. Begin in the Secret Place

Psalm 32:8 New Living Translation

8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.

2. Fear GO!

Deuteronomy 31:8 New Living Translation

8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

3. Don’t scheme

Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

NOTE: HEALTHY transitions take TIME

THREE HEALTHY TRANSITIONS

1. THE RELEASED

Acts 15:36-39 New Living Translation

36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia (PAM-PHIL-LEAH) and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.

Exodus 4:18 New Living Translation

18 So Moses went back home to Jethro, his father-in-law. “Please let me return to my relatives in Egypt,” Moses said. “I don’t even know if they are still alive.”

“Go in peace,” Jethro replied.

What is it?

The “release” is exactly what it sounds like. Individuals (or heads of households) in active membership (ACTS) sense God leading them into a new season and out of East Gate. They communicate with their serve team leadership and inform them of their decision to follow the leading of Holy Spirit.
Leadership does not have to be in agreement with the new direction or provide a “yes and amen,” but releases and celebrates them as they move into their new season.
Leadership will communicate with the EG Connect department to have the member released from membership at East Gate and then thank them for theur fellowship during their time at East Gate.

Practical Advice

This is also an excellent way to leave a toxic situation with honor

Workplace, dating relationships, unhealthy churches, etc.
You are informing your leadership, not asking for permission

This is a healthy way to leave a church, but at times other ways can often be better

Don’t settle here if you don’t absolutely have to

2. THE BLESSED

Numbers 6:24-27 New Living Translation

24 ‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
25 May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’

27 Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”

Psalm 118:26 New Living Translation

26 Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.

What is it?

The blessing is usually given to a member who is in covenant membership with their local church. They serve faithfully and are committed to the corporate body. They desire to hear God and obey no matter the cost.

When this person senses it is time for transition they don’t just want to leave, but they want to be blessed by their covering into the next transition.

NOTE: COVERING IS NOT CONTROL, IT’S PROTECTION. It’s inviting your spiritual leader to cover you in prayer during this transition and bless you moving into the next!
As this person's senses the time for transition, before moving forward, they invite their direct leadership into the process

Sounds like: This is what I am sensing/ what I am hearing/ what I believe the Lord is leading me to

You invite them into the discernment process
Ask them to confirm your sense from God by praying with you and for you

Wait for them to confirm what you sense from Holy Spirit
Once your leadership senses a yes and amen, they will bless you, often publicly!

Sometimes they receive a sense immediately, other times it will take time!
If the Lord is in it, you don’t have to fear! You can trust that the Lord will confirm it to your leaders! (See Number 22-24 for more)
Don’t allow fear or pride to hijack your transition in the midst of waiting for the blessing.

The BENEFIT of covering

You’re not asking for permission, you’re asking for blessing
Opportunity for your leadership not only to release you, but invest in your journey

Leadership can cover you until you're planted/rooted in your next assignment

3. THE SENT || Covering and Covenant

1 Timothy 5:22 New Living Translation

22 Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

John 20:21 New Living Translation

21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

Acts 13:2-4 New Living Translation

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. 4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.

Our heart is for you to transition in health. This example of a healthy transition is not the goal.
Being sent is for members of East Gate in active membership, faithfully serving, and in good standing within the community. These individuals believe Holy Spirit is leading them into something new and invite Senior Leadership not only to bless it, but to either remain its covering, or send them out in covenant.

Planting a church either under the direct covering of East Gate (East Gate Allentown) or in covenant relationship (Different church name, but in relationship with Senior Leadership as spiritual covering)

I believe every church should be sent, it doesn’t have to be by East Gate, but it should be by an established ministry
Sent (apostle) vs went (anti-Christ)

Housed vision vs parachurch ministry

This transition is stewarded by Senior Leadership. The individual (or head of household) informs their serve team leadership that they would like to be sent, and then wait for leadership to sense the Lord’s pleasure.

This will always be the slowest transition
Lots of real talk, discipleship, development, etc.

Additionally Senior Leadership may sense God’s call on the lives of a member of East Gate and submit their sense to them for prayerful consideration

THREE UNHEALTHY TRANSITIONS

1. THE BROKEN FELLOWSHIP

Genesis 31:20-21 New King James Version

20 And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee. 21 So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead.

Proverbs 25:19 New Living Translation

19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble
is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.

In this example of unhealthy transition someone leaves without informing anyone

GHOSTED
This often happens because of a lack of communication: real talk!

Offense

He stole my parking spot

Disagreement

They empower women

Refusal to talk about it

It’s not worth the time or effort
What you are really saying is that the people you have committed to doing life with aren’t worth your time or effort
LACK OF HONOR

Don’t see themselves rightly and the value they could be bringing to the community
Don’t see the people rightly and they value they could add to their life

How does this affect people?

This hurts the church!

Painful
Grieving and a mourning the loss of that member
Confusion

This transition is unhealthy. Since, covenant relationship and covering has been broken the person transitioning makes themself prey for the enemy!
- An easy target!

We are not saying you can, or should, never leave a church, but do it in a healthy way so your spiritual growth is not negatively impacted!

2. THE DIVISIVE

Romans 16:17 New Living Translation

17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.

A divisive transition begins with a divisive person

Individuals in this example are members that break fellowship with East Gate by stirring division and sowing seeds of discord within the community.
This behavior is sinful and harmful.

Proverbs 6:16-19 New Living Translation

16 There are six things the Lord hates—
no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.

Leadership will have real talk, warning them of where this behavior will lead ,both spiritually and practically, if they continue to hurt people and behave in a way that contradicts scripture. If the divisive behavior continues these individuals will be removed from membership.

Titus 3:10 New Living Translation

10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.

There is a major difference between someone who has a question or concern about a doctrine, teaching, or practice at East Gate and someone who is divisive.

If someone has a question, comment, or concern, we want to hear your heart, answer your concerns, and walk with you through your questions

1 Thessalonians 5:14 New Living Translation

14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

A divisive person verbally and practically refuses to submit to the leadership and teaching of a church, and rather than communicate concerns to leadership, or ask to be released, they remain and actively cause division.

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 New Living Translation

14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.

“East Gate/the pastor teaches this, but they’re wrong, and I, or this other church/teacher, is right”

Women in ministry
Gifts of the Spirit

“I know they require tithing as a pillar of membership but I don’t”
Individuals in this example MUST be confronted by their direct oversight with pastoral involvement

They will be warned for the sake of their spiritual health
If divisive individuals do not repent and change their behavior they will be confronted at Matthew 18 outlines.

Matthew 18:15-17 New Living Translation

15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

Divisive individuals either repent, ask to be released, are removed by leadership, or are tolerated and divide the church

3. THE DEVIOUS

Proverbs 3:32 English Standard Version

32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence.

What is a devious person?

A person that has departed from the ways of the Lord and use deception and witchcraft (manipulation and/or intimidation) to get what they want
Their behavior is destructive and actively damages many within the church

2 Timothy 4:14-15 New Living Translation

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.

Their behavior is either intended to harm the church, or, they are actively partnered with witchcraft as a way of getting their way.

Matthew 24:10-12 New Living Translation

10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

Blatant accusations
Gossip, rumors, spreading falsehoods
Disparaging leadership or church members
Dishonest dealings

Pastors, with the oversight of the elders, have a responsibility to guard the church

Acts 20:28-31 New Living Translation

28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

Leadership will remove the devious person from membership at East Gate
Leadership will then notify the community about the devious person's actions and their consequences

1 Timothy 5:20 New Living Translation

20 Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

Leadership will determine at what level the devious person’s behavior needs to be addressed
- Small group
- Serve team
- Department
- Church
A devious person is removed from membership and will not be allowed to return into covenant membership until they repent, show godly sorrow and submit to a restoration process

Matthew 18:17 New Living Translation

17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

GOD WANTS TO BLESS, AND LEAD YOU THROUGH, YOUR TRANSITIONS

Genesis 28:10-15 New Living Translation

Even if you’re already in an unhealthy transition, God will speak to you about transitioning in health

Jacob was in the middle of an unhealthy transition when God spoke to him at Bethel
God wanted to be lead him in transition and BLESS him
It’s NEVER TOO LATE TO TRANSITION IN HEALTH

What do I do if I transitioned in an unhealthy way?

Repent
Humble yourself and seek reconciliation
Obedience=Success

The outcome doesn’t matter

Encouragement for Members of East Gate

God wants to lead your transitions to the west and the east, to the north and the south.
God will:

Be with you
Protect you

God will not leave you until He brings you into your “one day”

God will bring you through to the next assignment

TODAY MAKE A COMMITMENT TO HEALTH!

I WILL CATCH YOUR HEART FOR MY TRANSITIONS!
I commit to hearing your voice, connecting with your heart for my transition and walking in obedience!

HEALTH|| Trickle Down
We’re healthy when our thoughts, feelings, and desires reflect God’s. When we care for ourselves spiritually, physically, and emotionally we can influence our communities for the better. Health spreads from the top down and from the inside out.

East Gate