Wondering
I have repeatedly come across one certain issue to do with church life over the last few weeks. Leaving a church. I don’t know what my opinion is on this, to be honest. When is it appropriate to leave a church? Is it ever appropriate to leave a church? When things get really tough should we wash our hands and find a church more suited to us? Or should we stay and fight through the problems, because we are a community of believers, and the Bride of Christ?
Anybody got any answers?
My family left our church for a different one when the old vicar left and the new one started playing his electric guitar and recruiting some of my friends’ parents to play the keyboards and sing leading vocals for the hymns.
They found that an appropriate reason to leave.
Suzy x
Not into change then? I love a good electric guitar, me.
I think for me it’s about finding the church that espouses the doctrine I personally believe. I’ve made my own personal study of the scriptures, prayed, received confirmation through the spirit on a variety of subjects. If I belonged to a church that began preaching something radically different to what I believe, I’d leave, and try to find a church whose doctrine is in line with my personal beliefs.
That’s a hard thing though, especially if there were that sense of family and connection in the original church congregation. It would be hard to give that up. But I guess it comes down to why you go to church. Me, I go where I think God wants me to be, and where I can learn and study and grow in the fullest way possible.
I agree with you – if a church began preaching doctrines I couldn’t agree with then I would have to leave – if all other options had failed.
I think other cases, such as the music not being to my taste, are not essential, and are therefore not reasons to leave – but possibly a church being unwilling to change is.
I’m musing. I don’t have this sorted in my head yet.
With regards to leaving a church, we have recently had people leave for other churches in the area. I have wondered if it is right to leave when you believe the church is wrong or should you stay and ask God to direct you to assist in changing the church.
Of course that then leaves you with the questions that is it actually that your not happy because things aren’t going the way YOU want them or do you believe it’s not God’s way that is being stuck to within the church?
Sorry no answers, just more questions to be considered.
Yep, they’re the same questions going round my head.