As a Christian, leaving a church can be complex and confusing. What does scripture say about leaving a church? Is it ever acceptable to leave a local church? This post will explore six biblical justifications for leaving a church.
Exploring the Implications of Leaving a Church
Mike arrives at church, expressing his belief in Jesus. The church warmly welcomes him as a member, and he goes to services for a while. Then, he disappears without a trace. After months and years, the church discovers that he has joined another church. This is common in many churches, but it shouldn’t be!
In the early days of the church, believers had to resolve differences and work together. Nowadays, with churches on every corner, believers often switch churches quickly, which can be selfish. We should strive for love, forgiveness, and unity in our churches, making leaving a church a serious decision not to be taken lightly. So, what biblical principles should we consider when leaving a church?
The church is not a provider of spiritual services.
1 Corinthians 12:27 speaks of the church as the body of Christ made up of individual members. We are not the business of Christ but the body of Christ. The church is not just about providing spiritual services. Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com, addressed customer loyalty in a interview. He stated, “Our customers are loyal to us right up until the second somebody offers them a better service” (Fast Company, March 2017, pg. 28). It’s no secret that many church members have adopted this transactional mindset about church.
Too often, the decision to join or leave a church is based on what we can get out of it – but this is not the way it should be. Treating the decision of leaving or joining a church like any other transaction does not do justice to the gravity involved in connecting with a local body of believers. We must remember that our spiritual journey is not one-sided. Joining or being part of any church is not only about the benefits but about participating together in an elevated Christian lifestyle that involves selfless engagement within the community.
The church is the people.
As members of the body of Christ, we must be devoted to our brothers and sisters and focus on the needs of others rather than looking for a “better deal” and leaving when we find it. The essence of Christian living is selflessness – surrendering our desires, submitting to God’s will, and prioritizing the needs of others. Leaving a church because of dissatisfaction with music or programming focuses on personal comfort over community with fellow believers.
Leaving a church is like ending a marriage.
Leaving a church should be treated like ending a marriage. In marriage, two become one flesh. In church membership, we are part of the body of Christ. For marriages to thrive, spouses must weather the storms together, accepting each other’s flaws and striving for deep, unyielding commitment. Joining a church involves being there for one another in good times and bad, but commitment is often overlooked today, as people join and leave without considering the consequences or the impact on those around them.
True love requires a profoundly selfless attitude to remain strong and endure for a lifetime. The Apostle Paul outlines this selfless love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Paul did not write this passage for marriage ceremonies; he was describing the love between church members. This is how the Apostle encourages members of local churches to act towards one another.
For Christians, leaving a local church is a major decision and should not be taken lightly. While there is no specific scripture to directly instruct when it may be right to leave a local church, there are six valid biblical justifications that should cause prayerful consideration for an individual or family’s situation.
Six Biblical Justifications for Leaving a Local Church
1. The people are located too far away.
If the church is too far away from where one lives and thus hinders fulfilling covenantal commitments with others in the church, then distance could be a factor. While technology facilitates communication, it lacks the depth of personal interaction. Corporate worship is diminished without physically gathering.
2. The people are diminishing doctrine.
The Lord Jesus and His apostles warned against false teaching (2 John 1:8-9; Galatians 1:7-9; 1 John 4:1, 5-6). The Apostle Paul warned of “pointless, silly myths” (1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:3-4). A significant issue within the church today is disregarding sound biblical doctrine, which diminishes the gospel and promotes self-help principles. This is a dangerous trend because it leads us away from the truth of God’s Word. A church neglecting biblical truth or compromising on core doctrines hinders the spiritual growth of its members.
If you believe your church doesn’t teach the truth, you’re in a tough spot. You want to make a difference but don’t want to be associated with a truthless, much less trust-twisting, church. When deciding whether to stay or leave, choose prayerfully. Discuss your concerns with a pastor or trusted church leader. In Ephesians 5:11, Paul urges us to expose dark deeds. Jude 3 stresses the significance of defending the faith by questioning the unscriptural teachings of church leaders. Standing up for the truth is necessary. Who else will if you don’t?
It is also essential to recognize that respectful disagreement can exist when it comes to the interpretation or understanding of biblical texts. Differences in interpretation don’t necessarily imply a church has abandoned the gospel. We should be open-minded toward different perspectives and strive towards unity in the body of Christ rather than division. Talk to your pastor if you have concerns about your church’s teachings. Listen to their perspective and be open to the possibility that your understanding of the Bible may be incomplete.
3. The people are spiritually abusive.
Spiritual abuse happens when someone manipulates another using religious or spiritual beliefs for personal gain (2 Peter 2:3). It is disheartening to hear about Christians being harmed by abusive pastors or legalistic churches. Pastors should never demand unquestioning obedience. They must not lord their given authority over others but serve as examples of how faith can be lived out authentically and obediently according to God’s word (1 Peter 5:3). To avoid spiritual abuse, start by talking to your pastor if you feel something isn’t right or if you have questions about the teachings of the Bible. Your pastor should be open-hearted and willing to answer any questions. If not, this could indicate that something isn’t right.
Corrupt leadership strategies and oppressive atmospheres create a toxic environment that should not be tolerated. 2 Corinthians 11:20 emphasizes believers not tolerating exploitation and manipulation. Those facing spiritual abuse need to focus on removing themselves from such situations. This may involve seeking counsel from friends or family outside the church, consulting with mental health professionals, or joining support groups specifically designed to address spiritual abuse issues.
Though standing up against spiritual abuse may seem hard at first, doing so will help create an environment where people can grow spiritually without fear of being manipulated or taken advantage of by those in power over them. For churches everywhere to thrive spiritually, confronting these issues must become part of our everyday lives so we can live out our faith without compromise or guilt.
4. The people are tolerating sin.
Unrepentant sin should not be given a place in the body of Christ. Sin breeds more sin, as stated by Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:6. Healthy churches address sin head-on to prevent immoral behavior from being accepted (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). If your church tolerates sin, speak up and demand action. If they refuse to address it, find a Bible-following church and leave (1 Corinthians 5:12-13).
5. The people are constantly fighting.
Divisions in a church reveal the unregeneracy of the church’s membership. Unity is the mark of a Spirit-filled church (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:3). If there are constant fights and disagreements, the Spirit is not there, and the church is a church in name only. Flee from those people (Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10-11)!
6. The Holy Spirit sends you out on mission.
The Holy Spirit will guide believers on mission away from their church. Still, this process will happen prayerfully and with unity among other members and leadership within the church. In Acts 13, the church was gathered in prayer and worship when the Holy Spirit spoke about Paul and Barnabas. This example shows us that the Holy Spirit may send you out of a church, but He will do so with prayer and unity with other believers and leaders.
Hurt by your church? Here’s what to do before you leave:
Sometimes, it may seem easier to leave a church rather than confront issues head-on. However, we must communicate our feelings openly and respectfully before leaving. If another member of the church has hurt you, there are peacemaking principles that should be followed to attempt resolution. Matthew 5:9 reminds us to be peacemakers, even in challenging circumstances. We are instructed in Luke 17:1-4, Matthew 18:15, and Galatians 6:1 to gently approach those who wrong us.
If initial attempts at peacemaking fail or seem unproductive after several attempts, it is essential to involve other people as witnesses or take it up with church leadership (Matthew 18:16). Romans 12:18 emphasizes the importance of giving the process time. Rarely is it right to leave without attempting peacemaking. Despite any differences, Jesus has provided us with a command to forgive that transcends any conflict or disagreement we may have.
Unhappy with your church? Here’s what to do before you leave:
If you feel unhappy at your current place of worship without being wronged by anyone else, prayerful discernment and thoughtfulness are still necessary. Many are dissatisfied with their church because they expect to receive without giving back. This selfish attitude leads to disappointment. To experience the true blessings of church membership, active involvement is essential. Before deciding on leaving a particular fellowship, do at least these three things:
Join a small group.
Engaging relationally in the church is vital for spiritual growth. Connecting with other Christians supports and challenges you in your walk with God. Get involved in a small group or Sunday School class immediately.
Serve in a ministry.
Psalm 1:1 teaches that the scornful are seated. To find happiness within a church, start serving others. Serving is integral to a Christian’s joy. Use your gifts for the good of God’s family (1 Peter 4:10). Serve where needed – whether welcoming visitors or working with children. Serve with joy and humility and be blessed (Romans 12:10-11).
Talk with your pastors and deacons.
If you have an issue with your church, it’s best to communicate directly with church leaders and pastors. This way, they can assess the situation and work on finding a resolution. Everyone’s feelings and perspectives should be heard before any decisions are made.
Remember, change takes time, so patience should always be extended. Church leaders need space to address the situation adequately (Proverbs 19:11, Ephesians 4:2, and Hebrews 13:17). If they seem unwilling or uninterested in understanding your viewpoint, it might be advisable to carefully consider whether you can forbear the situation or if it would be best to leave.
To Sum Things Up: To leave a church gracefully is to leave a church reluctantly.
Leaving a church, especially one you have been attending for a while, should never be easy. If you are considering leaving your church community, approach this decision thoughtfully and prayerfully. Ask yourself if you are doing this for God’s glory rather than focusing only on the benefits you may gain from being part of another church. It’s vital to remember to leave respectfully and communicate any issues with gentleness and respect. Leaving without communicating or abruptly is not Christ-like, as this can cause hurt feelings and broken relationships. John Flavel wrote, “Let nothing beneath a plain necessity divide you from communion one with another; hold it fast till you can hold it no longer without sin.”
Upon departure from your church, actively seek membership in another. Finding a new church home is crucial; leaving the church puts your soul at risk. You need the spiritual guidance and support of a church. So, don’t neglect your spiritual well-being. Find a new church home. Real Christians find solace in worshiping God with fellow believers. As Ignatius of Antioch wrote, “Labor together with one another, compete together, run together, suffer together, die together, rise up together, as God’s managers and assistants and servants.”
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