Ridgell's Originals

 Christians sometimes change churches.  It is never an ideal situation and I don't know any mature Christian leaders who are happy that people do this.  Sometimes they leave your church and that should make you sad.  Sometimes they come to your church.  That is good but sad they felt they needed to leave somewhere else.

I know some people leave mad.  Maybe because they did not get their way.  And they will eventually be a problem at whatever place they go.  But most leave sad.  I am not sure anyone enjoys changing churches.  

Right now I am on staff at a church that is getting a lot of people who left their previous church home.  We have had discussions about it.  Many show up wounded from their last church experience.  Some probably are rebellious sheep and that won't change.

But some are dedicated faithful believers who want to expand the Kingdom.  We are glad to have them.

So why do Christians change membership?  Is it ever legitimate?  So here are a few of my thoughts.  

They need a change.  Some people just can't stay where there has been a traumatic event.  A death.  Or a sin struggle.  Some can stay.  Some can't.  Some have family circumstances.  A teenager that they believe will do better in a different church environment.  Maybe the preacher leaves and there was just such an attachment to him that they feel the need to move.  I don't know that any of these are great reasons to leave, but I don't know that they are poor reasons either.  Different strokes for different folks at different stages of life.  And after all, we are all in this together so if they need to be somewhere else then God bless them.

Their church changes philosophies.  This is not a matter of doctrine, theology, or core beliefs.  But it is a matter of emphasis.  Some people are passionate about different ministries.  If your church decides to change ministry emphasis from youth to foreign missions, or from building expansion to seniors ministry that may trigger a desire to be in a congregation that fits your philosophy better.

And sometimes your church does change their fundamental beliefs.  I get that there is lots of room for discussion on what core doctrine is.  Personally, there are things that I like but I don't think are that clear in Scripture.  Or it may be that I think a better decision could have been made, but I understand the reasoning behind a decision and can live with it.

But sometimes churches change what you see as core.  Churches have that right.  They may decide that the previous beliefs that they held are not really in keeping with Scripture.  And members have a right to disagree.  And to leave.  For example, I am convicted that Scripture is the actual word of God and that it is true.  If I don't agree or understand it, the problem is me not God.  So there are things I believe about life, marriage, how we live that I think are true.  A church could decide to interpret Scripture in a way that seems to contradict what is said.  Or interpret it in a way that enforces what does not seem to be there.

So people leave.  But here is what we have to remember.  Changing churches does not mean you have left the Kingdom.  Nor does it mean the people that stayed have left the faith.  Sometimes faithful Christians must leave.  If they are leaving, then maybe they will show up at your church and bless you.

But if you leave, don't spend your time talking down the church you left.  It is appropriate sometimes to explain why.  But even then, do it gently and with love.  After all, part of your family may still be at the church you left.

And we have to stop hurting people who leave.  It is so frustrating when someone does not agree with your decision to change things.  But we cannot lie, abuse, bully, and wound them.  Especially church leaders cannot do this.

Lose them to you congregation.  Do not wound them out of Kingdom work.  Or even out of the Kingdom.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM