Ridgell's Originals

 Sometimes you leave your church because you change.  Maybe for the better.  Maybe not.  But you no longer fit.

And sometimes churches change.  Your conservative church may decide that they need to become more progressive or more liberal.  Or, in their view, more in tune with what God wants.  Your progressive liberal church may decide that they need to be more in line with what they believe that Bible teaches.  

Church leaders have the right to decide to be different than they have been in the past.  They may be right or they be wrong.

Some members will find the change to be exactly what they want and desire.  May even keep some from leaving.  May attract a different type of member than in the past.

But some members will not react well.  They are members because the core values of their church line up with their personal core values.  And now they do not.

It may be time to leave.  And leaving because your church changes is harder than leaving because you change.  It is more difficult if the changes are not clearly explained.  Even if they are, it is painful to realize that "your" church is no longer the church you committed to be part of -- right or wrong.

I would stress that I am generally not in favor of leaving a church just because some things change in ways you do not like or are not comfortable with.

But churches do sometimes change their core values.  Major docrines.  Moral stands.  Mission.  How to view Scripture.

You need to know what your core values are.  Every person and every family needs to decide what you believe.  Generally you worship and work within a faith community that shares the fundamental core values.  

If your core values change and the church does not, you may need to leave.

If the core values of the church change and yours do not, you may need to leave.

But please have real, meaningful discussions with you church leadership before you do.  Don't leave mad.  You may leave sad, just don't leave mad.

Also know that everyone will not take your leaving well.  So try and be like Jesus.  He often found himself at odds with the religious people.  But always loved them.  Even when he was hard on them.

Also remember that your church leaders may very much feel that God is leading them in the changes they are making.  That does not mean they are right but it does mean they are trying.  

And to church leaders.  The people that leave are very much doing what they feel God is leading them to do.  Doesn't mean they are right but does mean they are trying.

Finally, remember you answer to God.  Way above answering to your church, you have to answer to God.  So be certain of your core convictions.  Be willing to examine them.  Then stay true to them.

And for those leaving their church with a broken heart -- for whatever reason -- trust that God will heal you.  The church is much bigger that the Church you attend.

Maybe at some later date I will say more about our personal journey, but just know sometimes it is OK to leave.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM