What I believe the sin of many who leave churches today, in our church ‘hop, shop and chop’, consumer-minded Christianity, is in one or both of the following:

1. First the motive for leaving (why a person has chosen to separate themselves).



Too many people abandon churches for petty reasons. Disagreements over simple matters of preference are never a good reason to leave a doctrinally sound church. Christians are commanded to respect, honor, and obey those whom God has placed in positions of leadership in the church (Heb.13:7, 17). People most often leave churches for selfish, man centered, comfort-related reasons, with little concern for the other members they have covenanted with, are accountable to and joined to by God.
There are very few biblical reasons to leave a church because it should be a rare event and a process. The fact is, God never breaks covenant and we are to be like Christ. To leave a church family, that God considers a holy covenant relationship, shows the lack of understanding of Biblical commitment to the church rampant in our culture.

To leave a church for unbiblical reasons shows very little concern for the glory of Christ and His mission; which is to be furthered as the world sees Christ’s love and devotion modeled in us. How are they to see that? One way is a strong love in which people persevere together through the good and the bad. Following the example of Christ who will never leave or forsake us. Unfortunately many today see their personal needs, feelings and desires of higher priority, and therefore have no problem leaving and forsaking those whom God joined them to, whom they have covenanted with, and say that they love. This simply does not model Christ’s love and commitment and therefore does not glorify God. So I see motive for leaving as a critical issue.

2. Second I see method of leaving (how a person has chosen to leave a church) as another equally critical issue.



Many people leave churches today by simply stopping attendance without so much as a kind ‘good-bye’ or a word of explanation; leaving out of selfish anger or hurt and in bitterness. This is done without love or common courtesy to the other members. This is akin to abandonment. Think of a spouse who one day comes home to an empty house. No note, no goodbye, no courtesy, no kindness, no love. This method of leaving a church does not model Christ’s treatment of us, nor does it model Christian love and commitment to an on-looking world.


Others leave churches harboring bitterness and malice, slandering and gossiping in the process and after. The result is divisions within the body of Christ against which there are breathtaking judgments pronounced by God and awaiting those who engage in such behavior, unless there is repentance.


In this whole discussion we must consider these commands:



Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Colossians 3:12-13 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.


There are so many other verses that speak to these truths. But simply take one: 1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. “Lay down our lives”! That is a serious command, one related to the church. Nowhere do I see in the Bible any luxury of running out on brothers and sisters. No easy road out of covenant commitment. No lack of devotion or sacrifice for the brothers and sisters God has placed us with, simply referencing the few verses above makes this crystal clear.

Jesus died for the church, and prayed that we be one as He and the Father are one. Throughout the book of 1 John we are told that our love for our brothers and sisters directly indicates our love for the Lord and even our eternal condition. In it, John makes quite a compelling argument for devotion to one another within a church. The implications are huge; how we treat, think of, talk about and relate to other Christians, especially those in our local church family, directly shows our true heart towards Christ.

The early church, seen in Scripture and in church history in later decades, had a profound love for Christ and was radically committed to Him and His glory, first. They were willing to die for Him, lose all for him. Then from their radical love for Christ, sprang a radical love and commitment to one another. They were willing to sacrifice goods, lands, money etc. for their brothers and sisters and strangers. This made the unbelievers around them stand up and take notice.
Unfortunately us modern, 21st century Christians, know little of this type of commitment. We are saturated in the ‘look out for number one- meet my needs’ culture and take the body of Christ dangerously and shamefully too lightly. This has bred a Christianity of shallow relationships and little commitment, where we are easily offended, wallow in prideful self-pity, promote ourselves and our rights and run on feelings; backbiting, gossiping, ravaging and abandoning one another. This is clear evidence of the works of the flesh and not the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5). All this is to our detriment and judgment for we will all give an account. In the process we make the majestic, holy, precious name of Christ a reproach among unbelievers.

I firmly agree with many others that what is needed in the church in America is repentance and a return to sound doctrine, especially sound, correct, right and true doctrine of the church i.e. a correct church theology. That I believe is the root cause of much of the mess we are experiencing in the American church. I refer you to one last article by MacArthur titled “Commitment to the Church”. This thoroughly explains why we must be committed to the local church and outlines seven essential biblical issues concerning commitment to a local church http://www.gty.org/resources.php?print

I would encourage those who may be considering leaving their church to ask for God’s grace and to search their heart as to motive and method of leaving.

As Paul said “So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” (Acts 24:16) and “so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10).

That Christ is glorified and you may be filled with the fullness of His joy!

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Comment by PASTOR CHARLES E BELL JR on July 10, 2009 at 8:17pm
BRO ERIC I BELIVE IT IS A LACK OF COMMINENT IF A PERSON IS NOT COMMINENT TO GOD IT HARD TO COMMINENT TO ANY THING OR BODY . NOW IF THE WORD IS BEING TAUGHT ANDS LIVE BY THE PASTOR THEN IF YOU DONT HAVE AN ASSIGMENT FROM GOD THEN YOU SHOULD NOT GO FROM ONE CHURCH TO ANOTHER.JUST BECAUSE THE NEXT CHURCH HAVE A BIG CROWD OR WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR CHURCH ,OR BIG NAM PASTOR IT IS INPORTANT TO GOTO ACHURCH THAT IS WORD BASE EVERY PASTOR IS NOT AFTER MONEY OR CHICKEN OR WOMEN IT OK TO HOUNOR PASTOR BUT NOT TO WORSHIP HIM WE ARE THE CHURCH BUT THE BODY OF CHIRST SHOULD COME TOGATHER AND LEARN MORE ABOUT CHIRST AND HOW WE SHOULD LIVE.YES STREET MINISTRY IS INPORTANT BUT WHAT ABOUT AFTER I GET SAVE AND THAT WERE THE CHURCH COME INTO PLACE TO GROW FROM A -IN CHIRST UP TO ADULT WHICH WE WILL NEVER STOP LEARNING UNTIL WE MEET JESUS. BUT NO WE SHOULD NOT RUN AFTER EVERY DOCTR. OR BECAUSE WE GET MAD AT THE PASTOR AND OTHER MEMBERS OR THINK!!!WE OUT GROW THEM.THEN STAY THERE AND HELP YOUR BRO AND SISTER IN CHIRST GROW.
Comment by Eric Hancock on July 10, 2009 at 7:42pm
Minister Busby
your ministry is not in the Church, But where do you send your tithe? I don't just mean money because is not just money
Comment by Eric Hancock on July 10, 2009 at 7:33pm
Excellent response
and I love what you said about being hungry for trainning, many get a little knowledge and have there Ministry cards printed up ,, it is already in there mind to leave,, not knowing that the Ministry is a life time study,, I stand on being lead by the spirit out opposed to just up and leaving
Everyone ,, great response ,, be blessed
Comment by Eric Hancock on July 10, 2009 at 7:00pm
FIRST OF ALL WHAT IS THE CHURCH

Many people today understand the church as a building. This is not a biblical understanding of the church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of “church” is not that of a building, but of people. It is ironic that when you ask people what church they attend, they usually identify a building. Romans 16:5 says “… greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.

The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) until Christ’s return. The body of Christ is comprised of two aspects:

1) The universal church consists of all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Corinthians 12:13). This verse says that anyone who believes is part of the body of Christ and has received the Spirit of Christ as evidence. The universal church of God is all those who have received salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

2) The local church is described in Galatians 1:1-2: “Paul, an apostle … and all the brothers with me, to the churches in Galatia.” Here we see that in the province of Galatia there were many churches—what we call local churches. A Baptist church, Lutheran church, Catholic church, etc., is not the church, as in the universal church—but rather is a local church, a local body of believers. The universal church is comprised of those who belong to Christ and who have trusted Him for salvation. These members of the universal church should seek fellowship and edification in a local church.

In summary, the church is not a building or a denomination. According to the Bible, the church is the body of Christ—all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Local churches are gatherings of members of the universal church. The local church is where the members of the universal church can fully apply the “body” principles of 1 Corinthians chapter 12: encouraging, teaching, and building one another up in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Comment by Eric Hancock on July 10, 2009 at 6:58pm
If you are in a church and YOU decide to leave because of the ministry,,,I feel that God will inform that leader of your Elevation and he should give you his Blessings,,NO REASON at all should there be any conflict once the calling have went out...BUT the truth is to be told a lot of them are not called they just ran because so -n- so started his church
Comment by Eric Hancock on July 10, 2009 at 6:21pm
Some peopl leave because of the Hype,, who is in town and we know he can preach so they hop from one church to the other,,the Pastor may call one of there sins and they get offended and leave, some may be looking for the perfect church,need they know there is no perfect church just a perfect GOD , if it is a perfect church it won't be when they join!!! I think that it is unfair that the church may carry someone through a storm and then when a Revival preacher start there church,,, that person leaves,, was they really for help or the fishes and the loafs ?? Church hopping for the wrong reason is not Blibical!!! But it is being done and for the craziest reasons, it is not about one being control Jesus is the head and a good leader started as a good FOLLOWER,,when the going gets hot they leave, why do some accept there call?? There's a CHARGE on leaders lives,, Members leave because what was said or what they heard wich is not scripture
Comment by Ladyjd721 on July 10, 2009 at 5:28pm
We are to pray and let God instruct our path, He will let you know the church He wants you to belong to, once He has lead there, you are to remain until God tells you it's time to leave. If there is a problem within that ministry,He will instruct you as to what He wants you to do, it may be the very reason God placed you there.We belong to God, we are not our own and when it comes to all matters we are to look to God for resolution. He is our first defense not our last resort.
Comment by T.L. Hawkins on July 10, 2009 at 5:22pm
WOW! This is a BIGGIE in the Body of Christ. It happens far too often for various reasons, non of which are "right". If a person has outgrown the ministry, yes, they should seek the Lord for guidance and allow HIM to order their steps versus moving on themselves (self). If they are leaving because they've been called to Pastor or something similiar, the Pastor should already know becuause that individual would have been "trained" under that Pastor's leadership.
Comment by Eric Hancock on July 10, 2009 at 5:06pm
A PERSON WHO MAY HAVE OUTGROWN THE MINISTRY ITSELF MEANING THAT THEY'RE BEING LEAD OUT THEY MUST FIRST CONFRONT THERE PASTOR PRIVATELY AND HE MUST GO BEFORE THE LORD,,IF THEY DONT HEAR FROM THE LORD SHOULD THEY STILL LEAVE???

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