When I was in the Army, we used to say, “The best post is the one you just left or the one you are going to. The worst is the one you are at.” This is a form of the “It’s always greener on the other side of the fence.” As pastors, we can get the idea that a different church or place will be perfect. “Everything will be better if we go elsewhere.”

                I’ve experienced this in a couple of ways. First, twenty years ago, after a particularly stressful time in the ministry, I decided a break was needed. I stepped out of traditional ministry for about four years and worked with house churches. I planted several and trained others to do the same. I assumed this would be the perfect solution to the problems many face in the ministry. It is easy to conclude: no corporate structures, mortgages, facilities, or board meetings. It sounded perfect. In time, I learned that it had problems of its own. After four years, I returned to traditional ministry.

                Years later, the issue of the perfect church came up again. I was considering and praying about planting a church. For those who don’t know, I am a parliamentarian and train people in parliamentary procedure. This means I consult on bylaws and help with running meetings. I decided to sit down and write bylaws for the perfect church. I worked for a few hours. Finally, an idea struck me, and I deleted the whole document. The idea that struck me was that I would never be allowed to join a perfect church. The moment I did, it would no longer be perfect.

                I often tell people that the grass looks greener on the other side because of all the work done by the other farmers. We see the lush green grass but don’t see how much manure was spread, weeds were pulled, and good seed was planted. The other farmer removed the rocks, broke up the hard soil, and watered it. If we stopped looking over the fence and worked diligently in our own field, we might make it beautiful.

                Before deciding to head for another “field,” perhaps we should look at our own and determine what is needed and if we have the appropriate gifts. Perhaps God will give us further gifts. Perhaps with prayer he will bring in others with the needed gifts. Perhaps he is calling us to move on. Perhaps he is telling us to keep our hand on the plow.

                I understand I may have beaten the farming metaphor to death, but I know how pastors feel when things get hard. I hope you will at least go slow, pray, and continue working. It is common to ask God, “Can I leave here?” or “Where should I go?” I started by referencing something we said in the Army. Allow me to share one other. “In the absence of new orders, keep obeying prior orders.” Sometimes, this was reduced to “Charley Mike,” which meant “Continue the mission.” In ministry, we might say, “I know God called me here. I don’t know if he is ready to move me on. Until that is answered, he wants me to stay here.” Is this certain? No. But is it not better to err on the side of obedience?