Paul Vieira

I came to an important realization today. I feel that I am supposed to continue to be open with the Christian community at large, to keep sharing my journey with those who want to learn from it. There is a reason why I haven`t been blogging very regularly. I`ve been pushing away any responsibility to share my heart and life with Christians in general. I grew weary in Christian leadership and I came to this point where I really don`t want to have any visibility in the Christian church. I know I wrote this book and it gives me a little visibility, but I always intended this book to be a goodbye to formal ministry of any kind. Read this epilogue from Jesus Has Left the Building:

Well, this is it. We`ve come to the end. Although I have spent the last several years mostly outside the walls of the church, I have never formally said, ‘Goodbye.’ In some ways I have had one foot in and one foot out, as I have continued to speak in churches on Sunday mornings in my travels. However, I must go now. I must find my way out into the world that so desperately needs to see Jesus and hear Jesus through me. I have a house to build and garden to plant. I have to raise my kids and see them find their own place in this world. I am compelled to follow this path to its end.

I imagine for awhile, if you`re interested, you may hear or see me talk about the themes contained in the pages of this book. I am willing to further discuss it. I expect a flurry of activity for a season, as readers wrestle through the issues this book raises. I am open to hearing from you and talking through what needs to be said. However, honestly, it has always been my intention for this book to be a farewell message to the institutional church. I am leaving for ‘Babylon’ and I don`t imagine I`m ever coming back. I don`t know how much longer we will have the opportunity to talk. Perhaps it will be longer than I think. Inevitably, and probably sooner than later, I will be gone. This is what I leave with you.

Although this ‘farewell’ is primarily addressed to the organized church, I`ve also been hesitant to correspond with believers who have left the walls behind. I have about 150 emails to respond to in my inbox. I guess I lost heart with ministry and I just want to live life now. I don`t want to be a leader in the emerging church. I just want to learn how to live and enjoy life. However, I don`t know how or why, but my perspective is changing. I believe God is strengthening my heart to rise to the task before me. I do need to live my life and learn what it means to be a believer in exile, but I don`t have to do this alone. I believe that I should be open and share my journey as honestly as I can. I think it will be a help to others who are on a similar path. So, please forgive me for holding back. I`ll do my best to be transparent and together we can figure out this life and what it means to follow Christ here and now, in this new season that I call the Exile.