Revised: Why Did My Pastor Have to Die? The Pain of Letting Go

By Chameeka N. Smith

Sadness, disappointment, dreams shattered…why my pastor, why my man of God? There were so many false prophets, teachers, and preachers, so why did my pastor have to die? These were the words that continued to linger in my head after learning the news of my pastor's transition. He was strong, a pioneer of many facets of ministry that weren't seen in his day. He impacted the city, community, state, and ultimately the world. He loved God's people and we loved him. In October of 2012, I asked the question, "Why did my pastor have to die?" It was the question that lingered in the minds of so many members who truly believed that this would not happen. We prayed, fasted, worshiped, and even received prophecies of how the man of God would recover…

 

We had the faith, we trusted God, and yet he died.

 

In this revised version, I walk through the journey of the painful loss of losing my pastor but provide a powerful message on Detours on the Road to Destiny: Understanding Perspective, my first message as an ordained missionary.

 

If you have ever lost a pastor or spiritual leader or are still going through the grieving process, there is hope, joy, and peace on the other side of the pain of losing a pastor. The story is not over, and the true legacy can begin…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chameeka N. Smith
• Release date: Aug 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201391454

Chameeka N. Smith

Known as the little girl getting her hair combed in the motion picture, nominated for 11 Academy Awards in 1985, Chameeka Smith continues her journey as an educator, motivational speaker and educational specialist for at-risk youth. As an Alumna of North Carolina A&T State University, Chameeka has earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Master of Science in Vocational Industrial Education and Master of Arts in Teaching in Technology Education. She has over 10 years of experience working with first generation, low socioeconomic students and their families in several school districts. She has worked for both a state GEAR UP grant and partnership GEAR UP grant in North Carolina and South Carolina. As a licensed North Carolina Principal Administrator and Teacher, she completed her school-based clinical administrative residency through the Piedmont Triad Leadership Academy (PTLA) with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has presented at the National GEAR UP Conference and the Statewide Communities In Schools Impact Conference on “Moving from Boredom to Engagement” as participants engaged in several evidence-based instructional strategies. She believes in transforming leaders into authentic world-changers and is committed to the work of doing what is in the best interest for All children. Chameeka is a certified True Colors Facilitator, teaching classes in Diversity and a Faith Based Certified Church Administrator. In December 2016, she published her first book entitled “Why Did My Pastor Have to Die? The Pain of Letting go…Behind the Cameras”, where she walks through the pain of losing a pastor but finds hope, joy, and peace on the other side of the loss. Recently, she completed her degree as a Specialist in Educational Leadership (Ed.S) and completed her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  She is the founder and Executive Director of The Brotherhood of Excellence Academy, a faith-based nonprofit organization with the mission of Ending Fatherless Generations. For more information, visit  www.brotherhoodofexcellenceacademy.org Book Chameeka for your next conference, seminar or retreat Visit www.chameekasmith.com

Book preview

REVISED

Why Did My Pastor Have to Die?

The Pain of Letting Go... Behind the Cameras

Including A Weekly Personal Journal

By Chameeka N. Smith

UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc

"Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation

Used by permission. www.Lockman.org"

"Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB),

Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,

1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation 

Used by permission. www.Lockman.org"

Disclaimer: This book is my account from my perspective as a member of the church on the passing of my pastor. This book is designed to share my personal experiences and source of healing as my pastor and spiritual father died, and finding hope and strength to continue forward with his legacy of knowing God, God’s desire for Chameeka’s life, growing to my maximum potential, and sowing seeds to benefit others in my sphere of influence.

Foreword

Chameeka N. Smith writes a sobering testimony of her experiences as a church member dramatically affected by the passing of her Pastor of 15 years. The book grants personal insight into how leadership within the church directly impacts congregants' lives and many residual influences. While expounding on the tragic event, she deposits a wealth of wisdom to deal with challenges spiritually and emotionally. 

Chameeka defines success within life, as espoused by her former Pastor, Knowing God, what He desires for my life, growing to my maximum potential and sowing seeds that will benefit others.[1] This quote defines a central theme of this book. It passionately illustrates a concept of spiritual and emotional success while developing practical ideological principles that deposit the seeds promoting enriching changes within life.

As a young Pastor, the notion of an intimate connection with people is much desired. The relationship between people and their Pastor is a vast kinship that expands beyond the individual, reaching into the entire family's lives directly or indirectly.  This book grants insight into the complex and profound associations between Pastors and their membership. Jeremiah 3:15 declares, Then I will give you shepherds who trust and know Me, wise teachers who will impart knowledge and understanding to you.[2] The concept expressed is one of intimate relationship of trust granted to the Pastor with its originations from the heart of God.

Chameeka speaks of the direct correlations of the loss of her Pastor to the loss of one who will not be a part of many significant aspects of her life. While personalizing this experience, we begin to understand the correlation of navigating the spiritual health of a church while managing the emotional loss impacting a congregation. Church leadership following the death of its leader, in particular the founding leader, can discover massive challenges.  How do you direct the church into new endeavors while the pain of grief is still acute? Scripture conveys the dismay of the loss of Moses as a time of massive weeping in the wilderness for thirty days.[3]  The inspirational leadership displayed by Moses has a generational impact casting a consequential task for Joshua to continue.  New transitional leadership plans must always take precise steps toward the future while honoring the past's rich legacy.

The book takes a sermonic shift toward the conclusion encouraging all readers to have an appropriate appreciation for the Road of Destiny. Chameeka methodically links this message to aspects of maturity gleaned through the experience of her journey. This portion of the book ministers personally to me within the illustration used to define the Dream and the Promise.[4] The Dream is the vision and psychological constructs we envision for accessing or attaining goals for life. Our yes to the divine plan for our lives is often clear without much understanding of the process of cultivated maturity required before the attainment of the Dream. The book utilizes Joseph's journey found within Genesis chapters 37-46 as a backdrop of her theological exposition. The process she defines as Dream to Promise is filled with detours, emotional traumas, and setbacks on the road to tremendous and lasting promotion. Chameeka relates this concept to the vast journey of destiny that God takes all people on the road to fulfilling destiny. This theological deposit is evident of the learned concept taught by her Pastor, sowing seeds that benefits others.

Overall, I enthusiastically recommend this book as a very comprehensive and personal journey of faith. Through the eyes of the author, you will be encouraged and strengthen on your walk with God. This book has been added to our church library, and I recommend it to my members for their growth and development.

Psalm 71:15-16 (TPT)

15 I couldn’t begin to count the times you’ve been there for me.

With the skill of a poet I’ll never run out of things to say

of how you faithfully kept me from danger.

16 I will come forth in your mighty strength, O my Lord God.

I’ll tell everyone that you alone are the perfect one.

Anthony C. Smith,

Pastor of The Training Center

A.C.Smith

Pastor Smith is the founding Pastor of The Training Center of Gastonia, North Carolina. He is a graduate of Shaw University in Raleigh, NC, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Philosophy. He has attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he is a current graduate student at Regent University of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1 – College Years

Chapter 2 – Camera, Director, and Second-in-Command

Chapter 3 – The Passing

Chapter 4 – Miss Me but Let Me Go

Chapter 5 – The Legacy Continues

Chapter 6 – Understanding Detours

Chapter 7 – My Pit Experience

Chapter 8 – My Potiphar’s House Experience

Chapter 9 – My Prison Experience

Chapter 10 – My Palace Experience

Chapter 11 – Conclusion: My Promise Experience

Personal Journal

Acknowledgments

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, He is my Father, friend, my leader, my provider and protector, and the One who is ever so close to me, who allows me to cry and just be Chameeka.

To my mom, thank you so much for saying Yes to God’s assignment for your life of raising my brother and me. Through the good times and dark days, I am so grateful to God for you being an example of someone Committed to Completion for God writing your life story.  

To my family, thank you for your love and continued support as I continue to endeavor to enjoy my singleness with encouragement and unconditional love.

To my late pastor and bishop and his family and to my previous pastors and first ladies in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Minnesota, Thank you for saying Yes to God’s will for your lives. Their agreement with God has produced in me the ability to write this book.

To my friends from various school districts and churches across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Minnesota; God Bless you for being an instrument and puzzle piece in my life.

To my church family in the northern county of Person, North Carolina, thank you for your continued support to this ministry and the assignment to reach this region