Sometimes I get teary-eyed when I read Romans 16. In it, Apostle Paul greets a number of people by name. These were saints in the church at Rome, a church he had not ever visited. Yet, there were so many there whom Paul refers to with words that reveal deep bonds and shared memories. A couple who “risked their lives for me” (vs. 4), several people he refers to as his “dear friends,” others whom “I love,” he says, and others “who have been in prison with me” (v. 7), and one lady he says has been “a mother to me” (v. 13). Some of them were in Ephesus, others in Antioch, and who knows where Paul got to know all the others. But he is no longer with any of them. There must have been many farewells.
Like the one described in Acts 20. “They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.” (Acts 20:37-38). In his final letter before being martyred, Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, urging him to come to him. He says: Recalling your tears, I long to see you … Do your best to come to me quickly.” (2 Tim 1.4; 4.9)
Bidding tearful farewells to those who have become beloved brothers, sisters, coworkers, and dear friends–and missing them once they are gone–must have been a very regular part of the early church’s life.
Which is why it was bitter-sweet, sending off our Austin church planting team recently. The months of anticipation for the impending goodbyes–during which Sunny and her friends would spontaneously cry–and the pain of the final tearful farewell, the empty places they’ve left behind, made me wonder, “boy, is it going to be this hard each time?” Yet, knowing that the greatness of the gospel demands that we allow ourselves to be separated like this, made the farewell another step of obedience for all of us–the ones going and the ones sending. Knowing that such painful separations are temporary (for we will all rejoice together in heaven!), and that such was the legacy of the early church and the many who left distant shores to bring the gospel to, among other places, Korea a century ago, I can embrace this, and many more future farewells.
Yeah…I’m sad too. I’m going to miss Lillian.
As we hear reports from the Gracepoint Austin team about the people they are meeting and the great need on that campus, I am reminded that this is why we go through the pain of saying goodbye. I’m looking forward to all that God will do through our church there.
wonder if this is considered as “fellowship of suffering”, as we say our painful good byes…
Pastor Ed, I remember when I first came to Gracepoint Berkeley back in the day and just heard of the tearful farewells that people used to have. But now I’ve become part of them. And i guess that happens more and more as you get older and you build closer relationships. one life lesson/response i’ve learned from you is from an old Korean or maybe Chinese saying – when the teeth are gone, the gums need to chew. for the many gaps that the Gracepoint Austin and Hsinchu team members have left behind, i want to do my best to fill them in. i’m not Pastor Manny but i certainly want to do my best to bring the same intensity and enthusiasm to every group i encounter. I’m not sister sunny but i want to be as friendly and welcoming to every person i encounter.
I can’t believe it’s been a month already since we sent off the Austin team. I’ve been here at Gracepoint Berkeley for over 10 years now and I couldn’t imagine Gracepoint Fellowship Church without Pastor Manny and Sunny and the others. But now, as we hear about all that’s going on in Austin, it feels like it’s just another ministry for GFC, just over a few states. =) I’m so thankful to be part of a church that strives to give our all for the gospel.