Longing to Belong Chapter 10: Releasing with Honor: Healthy Good-byes

From Chapter 10 of Longing to Belong

Even when we remain within the boundaries of belonging and even when we practice the restorative acts of forgiveness and reconciliation, there are times within the Body of Christ, whether by choice or circumstance, when we must say “Goodbye.”
Goodbye is seldom easy to say, and yet without healthy endings, new beginnings are greatly impaired.
Whether the goodbye results from necessity or disagreement, we must be willing to change the nature of the relationship without severing ourselves from Jesus Christ and one another as the Body of Christ.
Paul and Barnabas Say Goodbye
Two faithful members of the Body of Christ, two highly committed followers of Jesus Christ, disagreed so strongly that they chose to part ways:
After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return to each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord to see how the new believers are getting along.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not shared in their work. Their disagreement over this was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and the believers sent them off, entrusting them to the Lord’s grace. So they traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the churches there.
Acts 15:36-41 NLT