Close the Back Door?

I had always been taught to “close the back door.” In other words, make sure you work hard not just to “attract” people to the church, but to “retain” them. While at some levels this is good advice, it is often applied wrong.

I would do whatever I could to keep people from leaving.

The truth is, sometimes it’s better to allow—even help—people leave.

I’ve learned:

• Miserable people rarely give or serve.
• Miserable people generally make others miserable.
• One person can hinder forward movement.
• Trying to keep the wrong person can cause you to do the wrong things.

Sometimes it’s better to sincerely help someone find a better place to serve God.

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