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Every pastor will face this moment: the seat once filled now sits empty. A family once faithful to every gathering quietly slips away. And though we often search our hearts, wondering what we could have done differently, the truth remains: they are not our sheep. They are His.

They’re HIS Sheep
Psalm 100:3 declares, “Know ye that the Lord, He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”
As under-shepherds, we must never forget this sacred truth: we have been entrusted, not entitled. The flock belongs to God, and we are stewards, not owners. When a sheep leaves, the Shepherd who assigned them to our care remains responsible for their journey.
Moses learned this well. When the people murmured and longed for Egypt, he did not grasp for control; he interceded for them. He knew that leading was not about possession but participation in God’s plan.

They Can Choose to Leave
In John 6:66-68, many disciples walked away from Jesus Himself. Think about that—the perfect Teacher, full of grace and truth, watched followers turn and depart. Yet, He did not chase them down. He simply turned to the twelve and asked, “Will ye also go away?”
Jesus honored the dignity of their decision. Likewise, every believer has the right to seek a shepherd who feeds their soul and challenges their faith. If they feel they are not being served, it is their God-given right to seek where they can grow. Our job is not to keep everyone close but to serve everyone faithfully while they are here.

Sometimes God Sends Them Elsewhere
In Acts 13, the Holy Ghost said, “Separate unto me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Paul and Barnabas did not leave the church in rebellion; they were sent by God to enlarge the borders of the Kingdom.
Every departure is not defection. Some are divine direction.
God may be orchestrating a greater movement, perhaps to plant another ministry, support another vision, or reach another city. What we see as subtraction, Heaven may count as multiplication.
Remember, the Kingdom never loses. It only redistributes purpose.

Once They Go, Let Them Go 100 Percent
When Lot left Abraham in Genesis 13, Abraham did not chase him. He released him in peace. And immediately after Lot departed, “the Lord said unto Abram, Lift up now thine eyes… for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it.”
In release came revelation.
Pastor, when people leave, do not pastor them from afar. Do not feed what God has finished. Bless them, release them, and let your heart rest. The same God who brought them to you will bring others after them. Trying to maintain a connection beyond your calling can drain the oil meant for your next assignment.

The Cycle of the Kingdom
The Kingdom is cyclical.
Some are assigned to the work.
Some are assigned for a season to the work.
Some are sent forth from the work to expand the Kingdom.
Jesus modeled this. He poured into twelve, released seventy, and ultimately commissioned the world. Every departure was part of divine expansion.
So lift your head, pastor. Do not mourn the shifting seasons. The God who called you knows how to replenish you. Let every loss become a lesson. Let every transition become a testimony. Prepare the house for the next soul that will walk through the doors. Equip all over again. That is what faithful shepherds do.

Final Encouragement
The same hand that opens the gate for the sheep to enter also opens it for them to leave. And in both cases, God is glorified.
So preach on. Lead on. Love well. And remember: if they are truly His sheep, they will always end up in His pasture.