Before You Quit Your Church
Church hurt is real. I've seen it, I've felt it, I've walked families through it. And sometimes leaving a church IS the right thing to do. But most of the time, people leave for the wrong reasons.
So, before you leave the people, you said you loved. Before you walk out on the pastor who's cared for you and your family, ask yourself these 3 hard questions.
Number 1: Am I leaving because there was sin in the church's leadership, or because the preaching stepped on my toes and offended me?
Number 2: Am I leaving because of a genuine doctrinal error, or because I heard something preached that I've already decided I will not believe, even if it's in the Bible?
Number 3: Am I leaving because God is leading me, or because I am leading myself because I'm upset?
Ultimately, many people who church-hop aren't searching for the "perfect church". They already know a perfect church doesn't exist. They know every church has problems because every church has people.
A reason for church-hopping might be a desire to avoid commitment. Yet another reason to avoid settling down. Another reason not to get close to anyone.
Look, sometimes people do need to leave. If the Bible isn't being preached. If sin is being tolerated or celebrated. If Christ isn't central. Go. Find a church that loves God's Word more than it loves being liked.
But if you're leaving because the pastor's not funny enough, or the music's not culturally relevant enough, or someone hurt your feelings? Stay. Work through it. Learn what it means to prefer one another (Romans 12:10), forbear one another in love (Ephesians 4:2), and love one another with a pure heart fervently (1 Peter 1:22).
The church isn't a restaurant where you sample until you find your favorite. It's a family. And families don't work if everyone leaves when things get uncomfortable.
I know there are exceptions. I know some people must leave for legitimate, biblical reasons. So, I'm not talking to or about you. But some people have a new complaint every week. Some have been "visiting" churches for years because they just can't commit or submit to anyone.
You know the catchphrase: If you find the perfect church? Don't join it. You'll ruin it. But look, it might be time to stop shopping and start serving because the perfect church doesn't need you. The imperfect one does.