If there’s ANY kind of ABUSE going on in the church no amount of reasoning and discussions to ‘work things out’ are going to help. It’s time to just RUN!
As a preacher, it's been my observation that many pastors can be unreasonable, uncaring and completely out of touch to the needs of their flock. I've seen lives almost ruined because some pastors' response to suggestions, constructive criticisms, misunderstandings, or questions of polity, to name a few, turn to persecution, slander and abuse. And still they preach and teach the word of God; albeit walking craftily and handling the word of God deceitfuly: basically to push "my agenda" as one such pastor told me. A brief case in point? There was a season in a particular church where there was a sudden and protracted focus on ministry activities for married couples; literally to the exclusion of just about everyone else. One unmarried young lady, perhaps in her early thirties, whose entire life, from a child, had been invested in that ministry, asked the pastor why not create activities to minister to the single people as well. His response was simple and very emphatic. He told her to, "...get married and you won't have that problem." What a sad indictment. I offer this perspective because the one-sided answers of this panel places the responsibility squarely on the sheep and not the Shepherd. And it smacks of the arrogance of Job's miserable comforters.
All of "the many" denominations market, recruit, and sell their many sale-able "Set of Beliefs" to fill their pews for those who've been given a part-time, lukewarm, hobbyiest-like interest in our Father and the son's resurrection as "many are called but few are drawn, chosen" by our Father to endure the process of being, of becoming the "lights in this world, set upon a hill, for all to see" as "all shall hate you for his name's sake". Those words are not a joke. But, any of those many groups in the business of religion who get paid, collect money, to show their success with numbers of attentive followers inside buildings of different sizes. All of them are that church which Paul said, at the end of his life, "All the churches of Asia have LEFT the FAITH". Does anyone really read and believe? The question is this: Can they lest our Father draw, drag, people through that pride-full, worldly-conforming, self-righteous IDentity which feeds "its"-"self" by judging others by what "it" knows to be "right" by all that this IDEntity believes "IT" "knows". Who can expose and overcome that beast? "Who can war with the beast?" A rhetorical question with the obvious answer being magnified: Christ rising in us to overcome. Which of those many, ever-dividing, divisions with their own names and followers to support their antichrist leaders with attention as 'good' people are ever going to share any of this on Sunday, Saturday, Wednesdays or any other "day they exalt above another as in the law alone" See our videos for more if you can bear it....as Love's Truth leads anyone our Father chooses with no true Hope but the one True Hope through which our Father gives the strength to endure rejection and resentments that fester and foster on big hate -- which we do read: is murder. Contemporary, legal, form of murder: total rejection by everyone treating you as if you are dead."
My relationship with God is very good, but sometimes I wonder.... do I need a church? Lord, do you want me to go to church? I don’t feel good about it.
With numbers of churches, if you're not part of a certain algorithm, you'll be an outcast. Yet the pastors talk about humility, unity and harmony. That's a hot one and only words with no action. A church is supposed to be like a hospital - not a lodge that puts someone in a hospital. Numbers of these buildings shouldn't even be around anymore. Some shouldn't have even been built in the first place.
My pastor actually puts himself above God and stops us from praising when he doesn't want to anymore even when everyone is on fire for the Lord😢. It's so sad to say goodbye after 18 years but I believe it's time.
Roranoa Zoro Me and my wife are in the same boat, I grew up in this church and things like you mentioned have happened. I mean I literally have 20+ years in this ministry and was lead guitarist, and my parents are very much involved. This has literally been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but God is bringing us out and lead us to a new church where the actual word of God is being preached and every time we go it just keeps get better. We are on fire for the Lord again, it’s awesome I never realized how stagnant we had become. Man I really hope this helps, we’ll be praying for you. Be encouraged in the Lord !
If the local church you attend handles the Scriptures badly or falsely, or that the Gospel is not being preached according to the Word of God then you should find somewhere that it is!
I have decided to leave my worship leader position because of the Pastor's faulty theology. It has left me lonely, feeling guilty seeing that my church family is staying, and wondering if I made the right decision. I have to remind myself that God does not want His Word altered. And this is what the Bible says will happen in the last days. So very sad.
They claim his name to escape their shame with a business name, to play the game, of competition among the many groups dividing into their own righteous divisions. Our Father finds, never losing, never failing, calling us. We don't 'find' anything on our own. "Of myself, i can do nothing". Can't they hear? No, no they cannot, as the parables were spoken and written "So that they would not hear and understand, lest they be saved and healed" Can they hear and understand this? Of course not. They despise the words of God in Christ. They hate our Father's Loving Truth as those who "Believed on him" yelled "crucify him, crucify him".
Sometimes we need to move to a new church home for personal reasons, like continuing spiritual growth, regular fellowship, and compatibility with others in the congregation. I had all these things at a church I was in for 3-1/2 years. Then the friends and companions I connected with moved on to other places and my small group and Sunday school groups were both discontinued. I tried another Sunday school group and wasn’t able to connect with the group I was in. I didn’t see any of these things as a problem with the church I was in; God was calling me into a new season and that involved moving to a new church home. Personal reasons for leaving a church aren’t always bad, but they need to be in the interest of continuing your walk with Christ.
I was a member of a local church for 25 years, left after the leadership changed. If it hadn't, I would never have gone. I didn't leave angry, however. Since then, I attended another church for about seven years, left it, not angry, and now I'm on my 3rd one. I believe, I'll be here for a while, hopefully until I die. I want to stay where I feel God wants me.
They claim his name to escape their shame with a business name, to play the game, of competition among the many groups dividing into their own righteous divisions. Our Father finds, never losing, never failing, calling us. We don't 'find' anything on our own. "Of myself, i can do nothing". Can't they hear? No, no they cannot, as the parables were spoken and written "So that they would not hear and understand, lest they be saved and healed" Can they hear and understand this? Of course not. They despise the words of God in Christ. They hate our Father's Loving Truth as those who "Believed on him" yelled "crucify him, crucify him".
the bottom line is that the satanic cult of sola scriptura a man made tradition invented by a devil possessed man started this chaotic anarchism starting from sola Martin, sola Calvin, sola Smyth, sola Zwingli etc. on and on and on and on way down to fifty thousand heretic pastors preaching on their own imagination and adding their wishful thinking.
Yeah, these answers are from pastors who are answering from their perspective as pastors. I agree with all their answers for the most part. What is lacking from their answers is the perspective of people who have left churches for reasons that the pastors did not mention. One of those reasons would be leaving because of spiritual abuse from the leadership, official or unofficial leadership. These pastors are totally lacking in that perspective because they are more than likely coming from a healthy point of view of spiritual leadership. It’s a definite blind spot.
Yeah,. spiritual abuse is bad. I wes a member of a Church for about 9 years where the Pastor's were "control freaks." I finally had to leave,. because I couldn't take it anymore. One of the Pastor's finally admitted it and apologized later.......
See I love my church but I don’t feel feed I leave feeling confused and empty my pastor sugarcoats his preaching and most of all I feel alone my church does not really do anything to win souls and when I try to get involved I’m hungry for God and I don’t wanna keep wasting time siting and not growing
Anna Vandunk that's because the church system is fake. It's man made. We are living stones as that make up the Body of Christ. Run from church buildings as fast as u can. It will be lonely as far as people, but draw near to God and ask Him for family that wants Truth. Pastors of church buildings are identified in Jeremiah 23 and Matthew 23. They are hirelings. They must do what they are paid for...compelled out of obligation. Churches are businesses, 501c3 tax exempt corporations. Regulated by the government - hmmm. Give to God what is God's and give to Ceasar what is Ceasars. Not together. I could go on and on. I have been out of the false system for awhile now and am so thankful. Ask God to reveal it to you. Wow! We have been hoodwinked.
Above all we must obey God and Carry Out The Great Commission. The Great Commission is to win souls. It ticks me off also when churches don't do Outreach. It also ticks me off when churches sugarcoat the gospel. The gospel is serious and needs to be taken seriously. We need to be saved from Damnation not have our ears tickled. We can't just hear milk all the time like a baby sucking on a bottle, we need meat.
Spirit of God is speaking to you....your confusion and 'feeling empty' is understandable...i get it deeply. You have my support as a true brother in Christ. All of "the many" denominations market, recruit, and sell their many sale-able "Set of Beliefs" to fill their pews for those who've been given a part-time, lukewarm, hobbyiest-like interest in our Father and the son's resurrection as "many are called but few are drawn, chosen" by our Father to endure the process of being, of becoming the "lights in this world, set upon a hill, for all to see" as "all shall hate you for his name's sake". Those words are not a joke. But, any of those many groups in the business of religion who get paid, collect money, to show their success with numbers of attentive followers inside buildings of different sizes. All of them are that church which Paul said, at the end of his life, "All the churches of Asia have LEFT the FAITH". Does anyone really read and believe? The question is this: Can they lest our Father draw, drag, people through that pride-full, worldly-conforming, self-righteous IDentity which feeds "its"-"self" by judging others by what "it" knows to be "right" by all that this IDEntity believes "IT" "knows". Who can expose and overcome that beast? "Who can war with the beast?" A rhetorical question with the obvious answer being magnified: Christ rising in us to overcome. Which of those many, ever-dividing, divisions with their own names and followers to support their antichrist leaders with attention as 'good' people are ever going to share any of this on Sunday, Saturday, Wednesdays or any other "day they exalt above another as in the law alone" See our videos for more if you can bear it....as Love's Truth leads anyone our Father chooses with no true Hope but the one True Hope through which our Father gives the strength to endure rejection and resentments that fester and foster on big hate -- which we do read: is murder. Contemporary, legal, form of murder: total rejection by everyone treating you as if you are dead."
The real question is should we even be in an organized church? From my experience, most of the pastors are using the church as a business. They do not reach out to the poor, the mentally ill, the widows. They just like “bring the tithes and the offerings” ! In the New Testament, the church was where two or three were gathered in His name.
Hi Deborah, you're are right! We should ask ourselves should we be in the organized religion setting? The church of today has totally changed as to compared with the New Testament Church. We no longer live for the poor and oppressed of the society.
When you don't match a certain algorithm in the church, especially if it's an algorithm of prominent attendees that are lifers, your stay will become very awkward and difficult until you leave. By their actions it's like they're saying, "You can still come here, but we'll make you wish you didn't." Happened to me. Good riddance to them. That's why numbers of these churches shouldn't even be in operation anymore. Numbers of them are nothing but high school social clubs that hide behind the Cross. If you don't fit the mold, you get mistreated and mislabeled. Then you become resentful of that and inch closer towards the backdoor each time from the negativity until eventually you leave the building and not come back because nothing was resolved. Oh but of course the one who leaves will be the one who will be accused as being the one with the problem. The problem is never with the church. It's always the problem of the ones who leave. That is such a crock. Maybe the church should say to themselves, "The problem isn't always with the ones who leave. The problem is actually with us. We are the ones who are driving people out."
It makes me laugh when a church thinks your not saved if you don't go to there church treating you like you don't know and serve Jesus and the father .it's a joke
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We tear down arguments, and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
When I visit a church I look around at the number of members that bring a Bible with them. I have attended a local church that is Seeker Sensitive! Don't bring your Bible, No sin, No hell and no truth so no go!
I notice no one is saying "if members are sexually abusing people and no one is doing anything about it, its time to leave" or "if your pastor tells you TO mortgage your house and give the money to the church, its time to leave"
Not ONE of them mentioned abuse of any kind (and the fact that nobody considered that is problematic in itself). Nor did anybody mention mishandling of church finances OR dissension within the church. Smh.
Excuses..... we pray, God answers, the Holy Spirit leads. All the pastors and congregations I've been were all good. Then... it comes a moment, you just need a higher level of spiritual guidance. Then you move on.
GOD put me in a church and when the time came that I didn't like it anymore, and wanted to move on.. I couldn't.. when I inquired of the LORD.. He told me, "for where I have planted you, I will keep you, until I alone call you out." Wow!! Who am I to argue with Him. As it was, it was only through offence taken. Thank you LORD, I repent.. and today, 12 years on, I'm still there. Amen!
@@caroleimani9754 I haven’t spoken to her and she has yet to respond to my text but is soon as she does I will respond to you and answer the question it’s amazing that everybody calls themselves a Christian but majority of people in the world doesn’t want to follow the Bible the way God instructed them to.
Learn to know Gods voice and move as He says move. Be very wary about controlling pastors or churches. God has given us Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists and Pastors for the perfecting of the saints. Don't follow your type of worship music, seek ye first the kingdom of God and He'll add everything else you need.
All of "the many" denominations market, recruit, and sell their many sale-able "Set of Beliefs" to fill their pews for those who've been given a part-time, lukewarm, hobbyiest-like interest in our Father and the son's resurrection as "many are called but few are drawn, chosen" by our Father to endure the process of being, of becoming the "lights in this world, set upon a hill, for all to see" as "all shall hate you for his name's sake". Those words are not a joke. But, any of those many groups in the business of religion who get paid, collect money, to show their success with numbers of attentive followers inside buildings of different sizes. All of them are that church which Paul said, at the end of his life, "All the churches of Asia have LEFT the FAITH". Does anyone really read and believe? The question is this: Can they lest our Father draw, drag, people through that pride-full, worldly-conforming, self-righteous IDentity which feeds "its"-"self" by judging others by what "it" knows to be "right" by all that this IDEntity believes "IT" "knows". Who can expose and overcome that beast? "Who can war with the beast?" A rhetorical question with the obvious answer being magnified: Christ rising in us to overcome. Which of those many, ever-dividing, divisions with their own names and followers to support their antichrist leaders with attention as 'good' people are ever going to share any of this on Sunday, Saturday, Wednesdays or any other "day they exalt above another as in the law alone" See our videos for more if you can bear it....as Love's Truth leads anyone our Father chooses with no true Hope but the one True Hope through which our Father gives the strength to endure rejection and resentments that fester and foster on big hate -- which we do read: is murder. Contemporary, legal, form of murder: total rejection by everyone treating you as if you are dead."
At my last church the pastor tried to convince members that leaving would be akin to losing salvation . So glad after 20 years I had the courage to leave. I love my new church.
"the visible church" has always been a distraction" from the spiritual church (the true church ). The true church is loving and serving one another in love as it builds itself up and multiplies. The institutional church may contain members of the true church but the weeds choke the wheat.
Damien Smith. Gossip, character assination are just a few reasons why many are leaving the church. There is tremendous jealousy amongst Leaders and women competing for male attention especially, attention from single Pastors. There are Numerous Predators in the house of GOD. They will destroy the souls of the innocent. Sexual harassment,sexual,verbal and mental abuse on every level. Pastors(Leaders) prepare sermons based on individual's whom they which to attack. They would single them out and lie claiming to be led by the spirit of GOD. NO!!!! It's pure B.S The holy spirit rebukes in love. Not by assaulting individuals. There are many hiding each other. Corruption on every level. I have stopped attending since pandemic and I refuse to fellowship in a Toxic, Negative and hostile environment. Men who are married have absolutely no respect for their wives. Preying on vulnerable, even underage girls. When one speaks out a bout such in Unacceptable behavior,they try to manipulate others and make one seem like they are crazy... RUN don't walk while u can. I have gone to more than one church and it has been the same if not worse than the last. The men refuse to take No for an Answer. They Stalk, they Harass, they spread lies, rumors that you are out and about when u reject them due to lack of interest. For once I would like to go to a church and not feel uncomfortable with someone trying to stalk me when leaving.... IT'S Really Disgusting behavior and they have done little to address the matter. I'm sick of the Bullshit. I refuse to endure such in an environment which should be for feeding souls and worship.
Biblical Counseling!!! Amen!!! A perfect church is a church who admits when they are wrong and asks forgiveness for being wrong and asks for help with thier wrongs. Not everyone does that and no one is always able to recognize when they are in the wrong.
How many Churches do you know,. where the Pastor will admit he is wrong? I have been saved for about 54 years and I only found one Church that did this.......
The second you discover that the church teaches something outside of the gospel, pushing a doctrine of man... bring it up, if they don't change, if it's the "tradition" ....then that's a good time to pray for them then move on. "Let them alone.They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." Matthew 15:14
Im at a cross roads. I am currently a lead rhythm guitar player in the worship team. Im being pulled to another church. I dont want to leave on bad terms because i feel that im the one holding the worship team together. So yeah tough decision. All prayers are welcome God bless
I Believe that we dont need to go to church just because i feel good , the music or good friend, we need to find a church where follow right doctrine the closest to the the word of God.
You do realize that God sets apart some brothers to have the spiritual gift of teaching? (1Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:7, Ephesians 4:11) Some people may aspire to teach but don't have the knowledge and/or Spirit to feed God's sheep. Teachers "equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up of the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:12) lt's a huge and scary responsibility (James 3:1-2, Matthew 12:36-37). Yes, brothers and sisters in Christ should have the same attitude that the Bereans had when they heard Paul preach the gospel. They heard him gladly then went to search the scriptures for themselves (Acts 17:10-11). I once watched a video where pastors spoke of sermon preparation taking 20 hours during their early days and being reduced to 9 hours with experience.
@Cecilia Lugo:- Absolutely right- Follow Christ, not the people, not the building.God led my family n I to leave the church so as to avoid a fight within a fighting church n in doing so, God provided ( in abundance) for my family of 4 school- going children n protected us from anger, strife n dependence on "horses n chariots" ie on people n their money, position, power n influence but rather rely on the "spirit of God". Hard to do? Definitely, especially when we had to remain in the town, not so much to be an eye-sore but rather to declare n reveal ( ie show against show-off) God's vindication, amidst gossip n slander of "why don't they just leave the town"? But God, in His love n protection, provided a new house in the best location in the town, cool n windy, quiet n nice friendly neighbours, a location that is the envy of the people of this town.God knows...n He never fails..if we hear n obey His voice.
I just left a church that I was a member of for 4 years.I have known the lord for almost 40 years and I'm shocked I didn't leave much sooner.very inaccessible pastor and showed all the traits of a toxic pastor . why I didn't realize this sooner I'll never know. I guess I was hoping for some sort of a civil relationship with him but that was not going to happen,he made sure of it. To hear the words during a sermon "your like family" was just a catch phrase.i had open heart surgery and the pastor knew it and so did the 4 other assistant pastors and the elders yet no visit or phone call. A pastor from my daughter's church came and ministered to me once I got home to recover. I will never understand the insensitivity of these men .I forgive them but will never understand it. I tried to talk with the pastor before I left but he refused to call back. This church only wants to make converts and not disciples so that they can have a fresh supply of new money coming in.these new converts can be manipulated to help this man achieve his goals
I fear my own church is the same. Everyone feeds on milk except the leadership. They seem to rely on the fact that their theology rests upon 'being saved' at the start of church life after being born again, so they feel that growing is an 'up to you' process because salvation isn't the issue. Most there don't care to grow they just want to get to heaven. I see no discipline or real discipleship going on. The leaders do everything, or those in with leadership. Discernment is discouraged. I just told my local leader the problems that exist with churches like HIllson and Bethel (we sing their songs) and got a stinking email back more or less rebuking me for even mentioninng it. Worse still, my local pastor's brother is the overall church leader now with his wife, so there is no real accountability. Abuse can be everywhere though. If you joined a Reformed church the abuses are likely to do with legalism and Lordship salvation and telling you how to live your life 'or else you might not be saved.' You need churches with integrity. I suspect they are rarer than they used to be.
@@caroleimani9754 Lordship Salvation teaches that in order to be saved one must commit to the Lord Jesus, surrender your life completely to Him, walk always in obedience and perservere in faith until your dying breath. On the surface this may sound right or good or biblical but the problem is it's not the gospel or what Scripture says. Our justification is based on one requirement according to God's Word - believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. The requirements of Lordship Salvation are part of our sanctification, our walking out of our Faith not justification - which is all the work of Christ on the cross. A person dead in their sin did not have the ability to commit, obey or perservere. That comes after one is filled with the Holy Spirit. Even after one is saved we are learning to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. We will fail sometimes, we will still sin - God does not give a believer the indwelling Holy Spirit and then remove it every time one sins. God disciplines His children and teaches them how to walk in fellowship with Him...but once we are His no one can snatch them out of His hand. If it were up to us to perservere to the end than that is a work on our part. We cannot save ourselves. Belief in Jesus alone for our salvation is the only way we can stand in righteousness before a Holy God. I recommend Mike Winger or Leighton Flowers for better content on the ramifications of a Lordship view. It comes down to - it is a different gospel.
I leave a Church for NOT teaching Once a Believer always saved. I see no other way to be saved unless our deal with God is salvation without regard to works and post salvation performance. Salvation is the ground for the Christian to stand on or fall on. No soldier can fight unless he has a firm foundation under his feet. Jesus Christ is the rock under our feet. We fight from a heavenly foundation not an earthly foundation salvation itself being the bottom line.
Salvation is not based on works either before or after receiving Jesus as savior. For those that say "If that is true then why not just sin all you want to since you will not lose your salvation". If you would sin all you can because you have eternal security then you do not love God.
Find one with the father heart. Not one that just preaches it about it but one that shows you love. With a pastor who loves being a pastor and not just being Apostolic
They claim his name to escape their shame with a business name, to play the game, of competition among the many groups dividing into their own righteous divisions. Our Father finds, never losing, never failing, calling us. We don't 'find' anything on our own. "Of myself, i can do nothing". Can't they hear? No, no they cannot, as the parables were spoken and written "So that they would not hear and understand, lest they be saved and healed" Can they hear and understand this? Of course not. They despise the words of God in Christ. They hate our Father's Loving Truth as those who "Believed on him" yelled "crucify him, crucify him".
I think you know when its time to leave a church. Its always good to go, if your spirit is not being fed. No body wants to be empty. BS: for people try to keep you because your are giving them a great 10% =1000, they hold on real tight....lol
I expected this video to be fairly cheesy, but you all made some really good points and had put a lot of concerned thought into it. Thanks for posting!
If your church has become a community center And not preaching the full gospel there is a heaven A h*** and a resurrection I'm just preaching love love love your neighbor and not preaching that you being that you are a sinner unless you come to the saving power the saving power of Jesus Christ you are going to h*** h*** h*** is not preached on in the churches today today because it offends people people what the f*** is That we serve a holy God and h*** is part of the gospel if you preach the phone gospel Heaven help and resurrection your church will grow so my point is if your church is not preaching this run away as fast as you can and find a church that is thank you
I hundred percent Agreed with the first speaker if you are not receiving the true word of God from the pulpit, then you leave for spiritual food I need the word of God that will prepare me for the rapture rather than to be in a church that is not ready to teach feed his flocks . For this reason, I quit my church. God bless you
Where you feel good isnt something you get out of it, but you like to feel comfortable and when you feel comfortable, you know youre not being rejected. Discernment is guiding.
wat if some of the members who r higher up are causing me to gossip. and send off messages like the dont really love me. talking behind my back. jot having time for me. but always want me to help. and give my time for free or next to. yet others get blessed dont much. always . they do teach the word. but its like they come just to take up a chair. ive been their 6 years. i need to go to a church were they only love me. not. talk bad about me. and twist my words. to were my pastor dont listen to me. cause i meet him through. a domestic violence program. which. happened 8 plus years ago. im very hungry for right ness. but All i seem to get is brought down .like im not allowed to be happy. but when im not happy. they talk then too. dont we attend a congregation. to be loved on right? i need to be were they care about my past. they care that i make it to heaven. but i feel like im not worry to even wake up in the morn. sorry for the book. but im crawling. dont feel i can grow. always being attacked through my local church family. im the only sound guy. with out dated. way too slow for wat they want. but ni budget for my dept. no pay. which my pay is in heaven. please forgive my complaints. i just dont wanma be anyone's excuse to be a sinner. or cause. why they judging me. only one judge right? the CREATOR.
I do not think that pastors can rightfully answer this question, seeing they will never have the parrishioner to parrishioner experience. Many pastors filter members, especially those with offices, through their experience with that person, where that same member/officer could be a terror to other parrishioners.
What the second guy said is problematic, because most churches tend to not remain consistent, you can't invest your life in that one particular church all the time.
I left the church I was in but it was because my dad passed away. 4 years later I am with unsaved family and wow am I depressed. I need to get back but I cannot afford to relocate. 🙏
If you do find yourself at a point where you are no longer in agreement e.g. seeing or discovering things you believe to unbiblical how do you balance trying to effect change vs just leaving?
I think changing a Church is like changing City Hall...You can't do it...I prayed for at least 2 years for my former Church to change things that were either quasi--Biblical or un--Biblical...After 2 years, things just got worse, so I had to leave, but it was worth it. I had been a member of the old Church for over 36 years.......
I left my church when I was starved of the true words of God and was feed with doctrines and protocols. The atmosphere was no longer uplifting and edifying. The pastor was not giving all glory to God but to herself. that was it for me. This topic was not thoroughly dealt with, very superficial discussion
Understood. They claim his name to escape their shame with a business name, to play the game, of competition among the many groups dividing into their own righteous divisions. Our Father finds, never losing, never failing, calling us. We don't 'find' anything on our own. "Of myself, i can do nothing". Can't they hear? No, no they cannot, as the parables were spoken and written "So that they would not hear and understand, lest they be saved and healed" Can they hear and understand this? Of course not. They despise the words of God in Christ. They hate our Father's Loving Truth as those who "Believed on him" yelled "crucify him, crucify him".
Stop blaming the church hoppers for not knowing how to connect, the burden is on the CHURCHES to make the connections, not on the seekers of truth trying to find a community to belong. We want to fit in, but oftentimes feel rejected.
If you leave the church, you might as well be leaving yourself, you are the church, you are leaving the institution of a system that was set up to believe in God in a large number of people agreeing on the same principal and belief,god speaks to us on an individual basis, love God, love self, love your fella man
I would never leave a church, people take this so lightly like it is leaving a job, I mean going to the church was the most important decision I made in my life, I would never leave it.
A lot of people love God but are discouraged and have stopped attending church. A Lot of Pastors have turned out to be God's. They are demanding that congregants worship them and also too many false churches and teachers especially in my country SouthAfrica. One thing I will never stop doing is to love Jesus. God is sovereign and that will always be priority in my life.
I agree with Pastor Williams R. Glaze 💯% . If I don't agree with the vision of the local church, Its time to go. Amos 3:3. Been planted in the Church is different from been planted in a local church or denominations. One is been planted in the Lord and the other is been planted as a member. Sometime, you leave angrily but you don't remain angry. A church designed to promote, project only the Pastor and his cronies and undermine members and their God's given potentials won't have me as a member. I agree with Pastor Glaze 💯 that the thing I must look out for in seeking out a new church is the word base of the church. I left a church lately because the church derailed from teaching God's word and started teaching greed.
Living a Christian Life is tough, it was never meant to be easy but we know it's worth it! It would be nice to walk on water with Christ to London from the USA.
I don't attend a church right now and haven't for about 15 years. I was going to a Pentecostal church years back. I went with a married couple I thought were friends of mine. One day after the service the wife of the couple said to me; "I was talking to pastor----- today and he told me me and my husband and kids are welcome to attend the church"Then he said but please don't bring Linda with you. There are people that attend here that don't like her." I haven't attended a church since. I am a born again Christian but I don't go where I'm not wanted.
I am going to a pentecostal church right now and have been for about 2 years. I am considering leaving because there is no opportunity for me to grow. 'only date a God loving man' well, how am I supposed to meet one if there are hardly any new members and there's no interchurch groups offered to someone my age? I'm 31, and the cut off for their hyphen group is 30. The latest event they had was labeled as hyphen and singles. Why wasn't I invited? I know I don't need a man to complete me, but with sermons that include mainly married couples or phrases like 'man wasn't made to live alone, they need a help meat' how's that not supposed to make me feel lousy?! Problem is that I love most of the people there.
I find it so interesting that these pastors are avoiding abuse by pastors and are telling people to talk to church leaders about these things as if the average pastor is open to hear the hard truth when they are the problem or accomplices to the problem.
They claim his name to escape their shame with a business name, to play the game, of competition among the many groups dividing into their own righteous divisions. Our Father finds, never losing, never failing, calling us. We don't 'find' anything on our own. "Of myself, i can do nothing". Can't they hear? No, no they cannot, as the parables were spoken and written "So that they would not hear and understand, lest they be saved and healed" Can they hear and understand this? Of course not. They despise the words of God in Christ. They hate our Father's Loving Truth as those who "Believed on him" yelled "crucify him, crucify him".
God's Word says we are all living stones made to worship Him in spiritual truth from truthful spirits! Buildings were places where people who are the livings stones of Christ could go to worship together according to biblical principles laid out and defined by the Apostles of the early assemblies! God is not defined by or contained within a structure but by the people who gather to worship Him from truthful spirits in spiritual truth! Such worshippers are the kind the Heavenly Father seeks.
They claim his name to escape their shame with a business name, to play the game, of competition among the many groups dividing into their own righteous divisions. "Many are called (to learn, hear, ABOUT our Father in Christ) but few are chosen to: come out of her my people" Kletos -- called, invited Ek-Kletos "out of" the 'many called'. This speaks of those 'fewer chosen to come out of the many called' into the "smooth" words that are sold, being marketable, worldly acceptable, that 'go along to get along', for a worldly return of attention, a following, and money that comes with that. Our Father finds, never losing, never failing, calling us. We don't 'find' anything on our own. "Of myself, i can do nothing". Can't they hear? No, no they cannot, as the parables were spoken and written "So that they would not hear and understand, lest they be saved and healed" Can they hear and understand this? Of course not. They despise the words of God in Christ. They hate our Father's Loving Truth as those who "Believed on him" yelling "crucify him, crucify him".
If the pastor tells the people that they can not leave a church without his permission like he owns them then it is time to seek a new church and pastor. Plus there may be other things that may cause you to be unhappy in a church, if you are not happy and fulfilled in your faith at a certain church why continue going there ?
This so true. Once attended a church where the Pastor would say "if I dont release you to go, then you are out there on your own". One problem with that is in most large churches, the pastor dont know you exist, except for tithe checks.
I do not go to Church and I love the LORD JESUS with all my heart. I do read the WORD every day and have a good prayer life. I speak to some Church goers and many are not serious about their walk. THE LORD MUST BE FIRST IN OUR LIVES. Church must not be first. ONLY JESUS.
Amen ... thats right we need to love JESUS CHRIST more than we would love a church.. Hey if u have a good prayer life thats more than the church goers. They fast but have zero results... that should tell them something... God is not pleased with there fast!! God said if u fast he will reward u openly. they need to doit God way..
The New Testament was written to churches, community is important, pray and ask God to direct you to a Bible believing church. God is into relationships!
Isn't it interesting that churches are supposed to be the embodiment of love, concern and long-suffering, yet millions of people struggle and "hate" going to church per Charisma magazine. Seems church isn't so loving after all.
For one you can’t leave the church when you are the church . It should be worded like this, When do you leave the congregation you praise and hear the word of God at ?
The Church of Christ is not a place you have to feel comfortable with. People leave church because some of them don't like to be told how to live a life according to what God said . Therefore there is 2 kinds of people who have a problem with the church. 1- people whom don't like to hear the true Gospel. 2- people who know that the preacher is not the telling the truth about the Gospel .
I haven’t been able to teach Sunday school since March. I was asking God what to do at home but didn’t tell my friend. We went to a funeral visitation for her pawpaw. She just happened to say if I came there they would give me a class teaching kids. Do you think it’s a sign to coms there?
If you’ve never felt the Holy Spirit moving or the don’t teach the Holy Spirit Baptism or the pastor won’t talk to individuals or when you feel controlled. And when you aren’t learning.
what if the church i go to is extremely strict and only focuses on rules but not enough teaching on getting to know God? I know God loves me but i have never felt his love yet. I grew up in a church where the preachings are mainly focused on rules and behaving according to the bible. I agree we need to lead holy lives as christians but that is the only thing this church focuses on and sometimes along comes anger, criticism and judgement from others when we mess up. In this situation would it be better for me to find another church? my husband does not want anything to do with God because of our church. He is tired of hearing that everything is a sin. I grew up feeling condemned whenever i would sin or commit a mistake because of this church. However, i am afraid of leaving for some reason. I have heard that people that leave my church usually end up with horrible luck because God wanted them there and thats from the people around me. Someone close to me told me that they believe God is going to make changes in that church and that i need to stay there because i will be a part of that change. But idk if that is from God or not.
My new church has Baptist roots and doesn’t believe the Holy Spirit sign gifts are for today! I am wondering if this is a good reason to leave my church
I gave my life heart and soul to a churches always long committed hours of my life I will never get back the last one 10 years of my life and things are worst now I don't only have my sorrow I have also have to figure out how to make up for lost time please GOD and church are not synonymous
Another TV talk show without discussing the practical reasons should or should not leave a church. Why can't you guys take this question seriously? For e.g maybe a woman or a man began to like each other whom both of them have their own family..... is this the time to leave a church?? Or their is no pastor in that church for a long time, and its all invited speakers or it is only member share their thoughts on Sunday. Or there is no core group that can encourage one another? Or they are not growing? etc etc . There are alot of good and bad reasons to leave a church.
When theres man-upulation. As soon as the holy spirit leaves lol, when the pastor forgets your name lol, when sinners dont convert any longer, when prayer stops . And last but not least when the church becomes devil friendly.
We are founder members of a ministry. My spouse feels she cannot continue supporting the ministry hence in a tough position to make a choice. Should we leave?
the church is people connecting with people is important. It’s not looking for a permanent church and being comfortable no!. It’s about being open to a community of people.
I need advice. My wife and family and I have been going to a particular church for over 15 years. I know the church is God ordained. The pastor preaches truth. Throughout the years, the church was getting smaller and smaller. For a while now, the leadership and members have been gossiping, lying, criticizing, and assuming excessively. They dont talk to us anymore on purpose. My wife always feels discouraged and alone, knowing they think the worst of her. I go for the word, but should I keep attending to that church? Or should I find a new???
I am seriously considering changing churches because there is no opportunity to grow. I have a disability, and it feels like I'm excluded from a lot of things and I know how God wants me to serve but there's barely an opportunity to do so. How do I handle being called a 'backslidder' for simply changing churches?
Do you have an opportunity may be to help with the youth or could you help with worship or something? I'm the drummer for our worship band and I'm a double amputee. When I'm not playing it because me and another drummer switch months, I teach Sunday school for first and second graders. I think sometimes myself being in a wheelchair I have to make it known I want to help. I think sometimes people are scared to ask just in case they hurt my feelings if I can't or something. I really hope you can get this figured out. I'll be praying for you to find your niche in the church
Interesting that this turned into a conversation about what Pastors don't like about congregants. "Hoppers" "Those looking to get" "Those leaving angry"...These are reasons Pastors want you to leave. If pastors are predatory, think the congregation is there for them...it's time to leave, angry or not. If a church has Cult-like attributes like no accountability in decisions and money...it's time to leave. Also, no transparency nor allow spirit-filled believers to express their concerns, treating them as "attacks of Satan"... it's time to leave unapologetically...LEAVE.
Or if there not treating you right constantly hurting you. No one should stay in abuse.God is not the author of confusion.That's why I left mine.God wants your heart not the building.
What if you are spiritually involved. You and your family are involved in everything down to a member being a youth pastor, but they just don't agree anymore with the vision and/or the way the vision is being fed to the congregation? You've spoke to the pastors and a couple years later hear you are again? Is it so wrong to want to look for another church where you agree and you fully intend on diving into the ministry, but without being considered a "jumper"?
I left an assembly where the pastor/teacher pretty much adhered to what the fundamentals of the old Dallas Theological Seminary under Lewis Sperry Chafer for nearly 40 years with a few minor modifications. After that period when the pastor began to affirm a partial preterist view of prophesy I stayed and heard him out. Then the pastor began to toy with the fundamentals of the eternal punishment of the unbelieving who die without Christ. First he began to say God was mean to burn the lost people in eternal Hell and began to teach the annihilation of the consciousness of the wicked. Then after about 6 months of teaching that doctrine he began to teach the universal salvation of all mankind in an annihilation or soul sleep/recreation scheme, thereby affirming that there existed a form of post mortem salvation but that believers get the jump on the unbelievers. He still at that point affirmed the Trinity, the deity of Christ the blood atonement etc including not merely people on earth but the redemption of Satan and fallen angels as well as the recreation of all animals and plant life that ever lived on earth. I eventually left that assembly just because there was too much flipping flopping juggling spinning doctrinal bull$|-|!+ going on there. The name of that assembly begins with a t and ends with an i. It is a good name gone bad to me. None the less that pastor teacher's teachings strengthened me for many years. However later when I left t-I I went back to another CMA assembly which I attended for a number of years before I began to go to t-I. Though doctrine is a great and necessary foundation for a pastoral ministry it has one great flaw. It does not allow you to look at the world around you or to bring to the prayer meetings any issue that is conspiratorial environmental or governmental right in your face. If mass murder, false flag wars, state sponsored terror, genocide, hit men in high places, an honest discussion of modern day Israel and its dealings with other countries, the Jesuits, the Masons Shriners, the military establishment, suppressed technology, suppressed medicine, medical technology and cures, UFO's, the Nephilim and modern day evidence of such, Hollow or flat earth, egocentricity secret military bases, HAARP & chemtrails & weather manipulation & weaponization, NASA frauds, free energy & field propulsion, the destruction of our human freedoms and liberties and injustices, patsy people and nations taking the blame for crimes & acts of terror they did not do and the ones that did getting off Scott free. etc. if discussion and prayer concerning these issues is suppressed or is not understood by the assembly then the fundamentals though necessary have little or no connection to the modern day world around us. This is the problem with most 501c3 churches. The pastor steers the assembly away from any controversial matter going on around them. In one way this is a good thing that the assembly learn the Bible and proper doctrine. In another way this is VERY DANGEROUS in that it ignores the ministry of the WATCHMAN.
When They are not Following Our Lord Yeshua Jesus, by Following Scripture and God's Spirit! This is Why We Must Turn More to are Lord Yeshua Jesus in Prayer and Studying our Bibles, to be Sound in His Word,
