A Spark of Hope

Chapter Nine: Walking on Water

Friday evening, they all sat around the table in the church's board room. Harrison, Carron's dad, thought it best to do most of the talking.

"Thank you all for agreeing to meet with us at such short notice. We as a family have discussed a few matters of the heart and are here to ask for your blessing."

"No problem Harris. What's on your mind?" replied Josh, Gabriel's dad, glancing in Gab's direction, the expression of confusion as to why he was present.

"I think Carron and Gabriel should start, and then I will finish," he looked in their direction.

"Thank you, Daddy. As you all know, I have been serving here as a volunteer for a few years. I have had to evaluate where my life is going and have decided to attend university to study further. I will also be working part-time to pay for my studies, so I will no longer be able to continue volunteering here." Carron leaned over and slid a letter of resignation to the centre of the very broad table.

Gabriel started talking, "I've also been giving my life some thought and have approached a few Tourist companies and secured a position, taking tourists up mountains, overnight stays and alike. They have offered me a very competitive salary as well as free accommodation at different hotels across the country. An opportunity I just cannot pass up."

Gabriel's dad raised one eyebrow.

"So I will also be handing in my resignation effective immediately," he looked at Carron and the rest of the people attending the meeting. "Carron and I will also be terminating our church membership."

Josh stood up, "Son!"

Harrison interjected, "Josh, we have decided to all terminate our church memberships. We do not want to go into detail about the reasons as to best spare feelings of the persons concerned. It has come to our attention that our children are being manipulated which has been going on for quite some time. We don't believe in this kind of activity within a church. After much prayer, we have decided this is the best way to go, and we would appreciate your blessing before we leave."

The leaders started talking amongst each other. "Could you maybe excuse us a moment, please? We will call you back in when we are ready to answer," someone else replied.

We all left the room and stood in the tea area in silence. Carron started shaking, so Gabriel put his arm around her, "You cold?"

"No. This resignation has been terrible. It's all nerves. There are only a few volunteers. So many have already left. How are they going to run the church on so little volunteers?"

"That's not your concern anymore Carron. You both need to do what is best for the both of you," interjected Harrison.

"Your dad is right. We are not getting any younger."

More silence.

A few minutes later, they were asked to come back in.

Josh stood up, "We accept your resignation, both as volunteers as well as members of this body and we will bless you all and send you on your way."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"You might have noticed over the last few months, especially while the Bible College was being run, quite a few families left this congregation. We are aware of the issues at hand and have been addressing them. Other churches have stepped in, and it's unfortunate, but Pastor Blake has been requested to resign his position because..." Josh put his finger to his mouth and then sat down, "of his indiscreet ways of dealing with matters, or rather a manner in which issues are addressed. He is, however; welcome to come back, after much change of heart, but only after review from the board on a few of our network churches. Until then, one of us will be selected as the senior pastor or until God has appointed another."

Carron, Gabriel, and her parents all looked at each other, shocked expressions on their faces.

"This is however still confidential, and we would ask this of you, that you not tell a soul. We are anticipating a church split as it is and are hoping and praying the damage will be as minimal as possible. God is in control, and we can only hope our congregation will see it as that."

Josh looked around the room, "Now, let's bow our heads and bless these dear people."