Ask Mr. Religion
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People leave churches for many wrong reasons:
- never attempting to make the church better (Prov. 6:19 NIV)
- dissatisfaction with style of worship, music, teaching methods, preaching style
- self-conflict from lack of spiritual growth (James 1:3-4)
- hurt feelings (contra to Psalm 119:165 KJV)
- trivial criticisms
- personal discontent
- transferred personal frustrations
As the list above hints, the rise of "consumerism and narcissism" — when people expect to customize every experience to personal taste is the underlying reason behind most of the reasons why people change churches.
Joining a church is a sign that you are entering into covenant with that particular church. By doing that, you are pledging your loyalty to the church, that you will cooperate with its leadership, and that you will honor it with your prayers (Ephesians 1:1, 16; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Philemon 22,), attendance (Hebrews 10:25), service (1 Corinthians. 12:4-27 [1 Corinthians 1:2]; Ephesians 4:7; 11-12; 16; 1 Peter. 4:10-11), and financial support (Malachi. 3:8-10; Matthew 6:21; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2; Hebrews 7:8). Breaking one's covenant with a church is not to be done lightly (Romans 1:31-32).
Only when a church begins to depart from the Scriptural doctrines embodied in its confession(s), should one consider moving. And then only after much prayer and discussions with the church leadership. The Lord never leads a person to simply stop attending church (Hebrews 10:25). We are admonished not to join or fellowship with certain types of people and groups (1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Timothy 3:5). In addition, being part of an unhealthy church means giving your time and resources in support of that church’s sins, and therefore, becoming a partaker of them (2 John 9-11).
Pray often about any decision to move your membership to another church.
AMR
- never attempting to make the church better (Prov. 6:19 NIV)
- dissatisfaction with style of worship, music, teaching methods, preaching style
- self-conflict from lack of spiritual growth (James 1:3-4)
- hurt feelings (contra to Psalm 119:165 KJV)
- trivial criticisms
- personal discontent
- transferred personal frustrations
As the list above hints, the rise of "consumerism and narcissism" — when people expect to customize every experience to personal taste is the underlying reason behind most of the reasons why people change churches.
Joining a church is a sign that you are entering into covenant with that particular church. By doing that, you are pledging your loyalty to the church, that you will cooperate with its leadership, and that you will honor it with your prayers (Ephesians 1:1, 16; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Philemon 22,), attendance (Hebrews 10:25), service (1 Corinthians. 12:4-27 [1 Corinthians 1:2]; Ephesians 4:7; 11-12; 16; 1 Peter. 4:10-11), and financial support (Malachi. 3:8-10; Matthew 6:21; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2; Hebrews 7:8). Breaking one's covenant with a church is not to be done lightly (Romans 1:31-32).
Only when a church begins to depart from the Scriptural doctrines embodied in its confession(s), should one consider moving. And then only after much prayer and discussions with the church leadership. The Lord never leads a person to simply stop attending church (Hebrews 10:25). We are admonished not to join or fellowship with certain types of people and groups (1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Timothy 3:5). In addition, being part of an unhealthy church means giving your time and resources in support of that church’s sins, and therefore, becoming a partaker of them (2 John 9-11).
Pray often about any decision to move your membership to another church.
AMR