Perhaps your initial reaction to the title of this post is something like "wow, isn't this a little too intense or out of proportion? I mean, transitions are hard, but to use the paradigm of grieving?  That seems like too much."

One on hand, I get it if you're thinking this way. Transitions are something we have to deal with almost daily these days; surely a transition in the church should not have to involve such intense emotion.

But on the other hand, perhaps our problem is that we don't use the paradigm of grief enough to process the many transitions we go through.  Especially when it comes to changes in the deep relationships we have in our lives- perhaps we're missing out on healing and freedom that can come if we honestly deal with our emotions and bring them before our loving and faithful God.

As we walk through perhaps the biggest transition in our church's history so far, I believe it will be crucial for us to acknowledge and walk through the grief process together.  There is a "new normal" that God is wanting to bring about (the concept of a "new normal" is associated with the last stage of the grief process, the stage called "Acceptance").  Thank God that the new normal involves more of God's power and grace as we come to Him.

Note: the new normal still includes relationship with Yucan, just in a different capacity.  We are starting a family of churches, which means Yucan will still be around.

God be with us as we journey through this transition together.

Prayer Point:

For God's comfort, direction, and power for all of us as we grieve together.

(the image above is taken from https://www.tuition.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Stages-of-grief.jpg)