Why Are We Really Leaving Philippi?

Shocking News

Many people know, but then again many do not know – that on Sunday, March 8^th, Maiah and I announced that we are leaving Philippi Church of Christ on June 1^st.

But Why? 

Since that time, I have been asked a thousand questions. Did they not pay you enough? Did the elders make you angry? Did the deacons make you angry? Did (insert anyone’s name) make you angry? Are you done with youth ministry? Do you not like the country? Does your wife not like it here? Is this a better job? Question after question put into many different forms – but, when it comes down to it, is ultimately asking the same thing: “Why are you leaving?”

First of all, I can’t say this enough. No one has made me mad. I’m not getting a raise. I’m not at all upset with anyone. My wife likes everyone at Philippi, and has made some pretty good friends here in this area. Philippi is an excellent church – very healthy and effective in reaching its community AND growing their own members.

If anything, we sort of don’t want to leave. My students here are great – along with my volunteers! I can’t get enough of the people here – and we love how easy the church is to work with. We have grown to feel like family at Philippi, and it was very difficult to make the decision to leave.

The real answer to this question comes from a story out of the book of Mark chapter 6, verses 35-44.

"Why Don't You Feed Them?" 

The setting is simple: after a long hard day, the people following Jesus are becoming famished and need to eat. The problem is also simple: in Jesus’ day, Little Caesar’s 5-dollar Hot-N-Ready pizzas have not yet been invented, and the people following Jesus need to be fed!

After figuring out the problem, the solution seems quite simple for the disciples: “Send them away to get food” (v.36). Quick, easy fix with no responsibility. It’s not necessarily a bad idea – and to be honest, it’s probably the most logical one.

But of course, Jesus ALWAYS has to make things difficult, and he suggests another solution. In verse 37, Jesus tells his disciples, “You give them something to eat.”

What? As if that’s possible? As if that makes any sense at all? As if they have that much money? As if anyone has that much food available on hand in any of the markets? As if that’s such a simple, easy task?

As if, as if, as if.

You see, when it boils down to it, there are two solutions to this problem:

1) Let someone else handle it.

2) Trust and obey Jesus.

One thing that I sort of hate about reading the Bible is that it is so easy to critique others. With almost every story I read, I think to myself, “Wow, if I were in their shoes, I would totally handle this situation like this...”

However – that’s easy for me to say because I know the end of the story. I know that Jesus is going to save the day and feed all these people. But do they disciples? Are they fully aware of whom this man named Jesus is, and do they really trust Him in times of chaos like this?

And so, as we all know – the disciples follow Jesus’ instructions and they pass out the food. And in the end, they feed over 5,000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish – with much more than that taken back up as leftovers! But remember that this only happened because the disciples trusted in Jesus, and they acted upon their beliefs by obeying him.

Kevin, where are you going with this?

It seems like, ever since I went away to college in North Carolina, that I have always been concerned with my family, friends, and church back home in Virginia. To be honest with you, I’ve spent countless nights in prayer over individuals and situations in which I pleaded with God, “Send them someone who can help them!” And no doubt (regardless of how much I ignored it) the response I got back from God was always the same: “Why not you?”

And time after time I reasoned with myself: I can’t. I’m located here now. I’ve made a new life down here. I am in school. I just started this job. I’m getting married. I won’t be accepted back home (read the beginning of this very chapter).

As if, as if, as if. So many “as if’s.” At the end of the day, it’s just not the logical thing to do.

So, when I was offered a job in Roanoke – I had two options:

1) Let someone else handle it.

2) Trust and obey Jesus.  

I’m not going to lie, it’s been pretty easy to let someone else handle it. It’s been easy for me to pray about my family, friends and church asking God to help them when it requires little to no sacrifice from me at all.

But after close to 7 years while being away from home, I think that I have ran from God enough. The words from the page scream out at me directly, “You give them something to eat.”

And so as a result, Maiah and I have decided that we will no longer run from God, but that we will trust him although we don’t know the end of the story.

Now what I am NOT saying is that:

1) I am going to grow Edgewood Christian Church into a mega church that will dominate the entire area.

2) I am going to swoop in and fix all of the problems with my family.

3) I am going to swoop in and fix all of the problems with my friends. 

When we read the story, the disciples trusted Jesus, but at the end of the day all they did was pass out some food. It was Jesus who made their simple job into something miraculous. It was He who truly fed the 5,000.

What I AM saying is this:

I simply want to trust what Jesus says, and pass out bread to other people. I want to do exactly what I do here in North Carolina: love people and make disciples.

I do not have any big plans. I don’t have any crazy schemes on how to be successful. But instead, I am going to think less of myself, and focus more on Jesus. He is the one who will bless my work. He is the one who will truly make anything miraculous happen.

To Philippi: 

To the people at Philippi who I have grown to love – you have taught me so much. I’m literally at a loss for words to express how much I will miss this place and the people here. It is hard to say goodbye – but I know that you were growing before me and you will definitely continue to do God’s will and grow after me. Continue your passion for making disciples and keep reaping that wonderful harvest that is before you! I will miss you all dearly! (P.S., I’m totally down to preach a revival…. Just sayin’)

It is such a true statement when we tell you that it is a bittersweet thing to leave. Over the years you have become family to us, and we will keep in touch with you just like a family would. We love you – and we thank you for being so awesome to us! I could not have asked to work at a better church so far in my career.

To Edgewood:

To the people at Edgewood, you guys have raised me from a kid and made me who I am today. It is an honor to return and serve YOU all like you have served me! I have been getting in trouble at that church ever since I was in 5^th grade, and now I’ll be getting paid to do the same thing! Ha!

I am super stoked to be moving back home, because I have missed all of your dearly! You all are some great people, and it has certainly been a long time since I was "home." Maiah and I are super excited to start working with you guys this summer (and I’m probably equally pumped to eat Texas Tavern and Macados every day!) :P

To Both: 

 To both churches: We love you all, and we thank God for placing us into your all of your paths!

And still, if you have any further questions – please feel free to ask!

With love,

Kevin McNeil