When is it okay to leave a church?

One of the churches we left, and it is unfortunate, but they began to endorse Jerry Savelle, Kenneth Copeland, and Benny Hinn doctrines. I addressed the issue with the pastor, to no avail. Part of it was due to him wanting to reach motorcycle clubs. Copeland is linked to that. In came groups espousing this doctrine and preaching it from the pulpit.

In Sunday School, the teacher had many many many errors, and was leaning towards pentecostal theology. He told me we need to be more like them, but I stated to him, they (pentecostals) have not one thing I envy. He and the pastor and many others were and are on that road.

On a funnier note, at one time in Revelation, where he was unfortunately teaching (as he called it "Revelations") anyhow, he taught the ark found in heaven got there because Jesus took it with Him on His ascension.

Uh?

As I said, my wife is young in the faith, so I got us out of there. I'll tell you this, it wasn't fun, and there is no pride on my part either for leaving, and as I type this I am still heart-broken over all of it. It's a tragedy.

The church prior to this one? The pastor said in the pulpit he did not believe a certain passage of Scripture. Hey, if you don't believe it, then don't be a pastor. It's plain and simple. That comment took no consideration for anyone, on the part of visitors, and otherwise. Theres more, but that's in the past.

This is not rare, this departure from sound doctrine.

By the way, both of these churches are SBC.

:jesus:

 

When I first started into ministry, I had an old Pastor give me this advice:

"When God calls you to a church, plant your roots as if you will be there until the day you die; but if you wake up tomorrow morning and your suitcases are at the foot of your bed, you better pick them up and start walking."

 

Salty while I am currently a member of a SBC church and always have been on some type of Baptist role since my conversion I make no claim to any denomination other then the membership. You are correct that I could start some kind of movement for a church, but all that we would end up with is another church and there are plenty of them in this area. Also about using some mission board. Yes that too could be done, but if there was anyone who would lead biblically then they would already be here in some church as the turn over is relatively high, at least in the Baptist churches. This current church that I am at the Pastor has been there almost two years.

What really needs to happen is for the Lord to send someone who wants to really lead His people into ALL righteousness. Someone who is able to teach and not just stand and preach words, setting up a church that does not vote on policy, does not have women teaching men (and by men I mean no one over 12 years old and it sould be younger) and does not have deacons with policy authority, but does guard the church from false hood all the time accountable to other elders. There is much more but you get the idea. Just another church is not needed.

 

Wow. That is absolutely stunning.

What a shamefull congregation that is.

A very sad situation there.

 

I'm revealing my ignorance here, but is ordination or being an elder a pre-requisite for starting a church? On the surface, it would not seem so, but I'd like to know what the board thinks.

Do you think so?

 

I have left churches for the following reasons:

* I have moved.

* God told me to.

 

Well it is a big problem, but it is not just this church, but it is in every church (a radius of 30 miles), at least with the Baptists in this area. Beyond that range I do not know, but I suspect it is bad even further out from what I hear.

 

Ordination is man made not bible commanded.
That being said for there to be an organized church there would need to be someone who was biblically qualified to lead (a pastor/elder) to preach/teach.
Years ago when churches used circuit preacher and they only came around once every month or two men who were biblically qualified filled in and that could happen today in starting a church, but you still need someone who is biblically qualified to fill the pulpit in the sense of the office and have authority.

While I cannot meet the qualifications for an elder/pastor I have stood in and preached, but that was not holding any position or office and I would never do it on a regular bases.

 

I know this is old, but still true: Mr. Spurgeon was never ordained!

There was a woman who owned an old barn o some rural property near Napanee, Ontario. SHE started a Sunday School in that barn. It was then renovated by her to have rooms with chairs and tables. SHE engaged some helping teachers as the kids grew in numbers. It wasn't long before some adults started to come.

That barn grew to be a church. It even had a pastor eventually. Sadly, she never learned that "women must learn in silence...."

Cheers,

Jim

 

My church has had many families leave also, Some of them were horrible reasons. One was because the pastor through a marshmellow at a lady, and she got all mad and left with her two kids. We've also had a OLD lady leave because someone cut the pie (she made) all terrible. She blessed the offender out and left.:applause: 4 Families left 'cause the Music Minister they liked retired.

I personally only think someone should leave for these reasons:
1. Moving
2. (This is for pastors.) If you get 'fired'.
3. Doctrine errors.
4. After service is over. :thumbs:
5. Church "dies".
6. Pastor doesn't do anything he preaches. But no one else cares.
7. God (HONESTLY.) calls you somewhere else. raying:

 

When Should a Christian Leave a Church? by John Reisinger (context is authoritarian Reformed Baptist "elders").

 

This is great.

Also sad is that most here won't even entertain the thought...

 

Thanks, Dr. Bob. We are in agreement.

 

"THE MODEL HOME MISSIONARY. My Brethren, after all, the success of a work depends very little upon the system which is adopted in carrying it out—almost everything rests under God—not upon the man. There have been men who, with systems unwise and imperfect, have, nevertheless, accomplished noble results, while others with admirable organizations have done nothing, because they were not the right men. Who, then, is the fittest man to be a Missionary for Christ? Who is the woman that can best serve her God?" —Charles Spurgeon

 

I have wrestled for a long time over joining a church. I've prayed about it, and I have visited churches.

I don't know all I need to know about the Bible, and many can quote scripture that I would have to look up, but I do have some solid scriptural beliefs. I have others that are subject to correction if I am led to see my errors.

The church I joined preaches things that I don't see as true; things that are more tradition than they are scriptural. My wife, however, loves that church - so I joined. I also pray for this church. I pray for the leadership in this church and that it serves God's purpose.

I am still growing in Christ and I still enjoy fellowship with the members there. Would I be happier in another church? Maybe. Would I grow if I found a different church? Again, probably. Would I serve the Lord more? That is up to Him to tell me.

By the way, there are things people do and say that I don't really like at this church, but I pray for them all anyway. If God wants me to move on; I will.

 

By all means, discuss it with the pastor. Try to lay out your reasons in a matter-of-fact, calm manner. Try to control your emotions. It's not personal.

And tell your pastor that you are moving on because you do not wish to be a divisive factor in the church. He'll appreciate that, or he should.

Don't have this conversation until you have definitely decided to leave.