Some in the congregation stood to their feet at that moment and applauded. I felt tears drifting down my cheeks. I stood there for several minutes while they applauded and affirmed, “God bless you. God loves you. You ARE HIS beloved child.”
When at last the roar died down, I said, “I need to let you know something else…I am relinquishing my ministry.”
There was a rumbling of voices, groans, and a few shouts of “No, Pastor!” and “We need you.”
Again, I waited.
When the crowd had calmed down, I said, “I am a flawed and sinful man, and although I know that there are times when God speaks through me, I would rather go and live his commandments rather than teach them. I got into the ministry because I had something to prove. I got into the ministry to show up my father and to best him at wh
