Guest post submitted by MissReality
I've been attending my current church for nearly two years now, and although I did start off feeling good being able to understand the church sermon and the environment, after two years, my views have changed.
The sermon feels dry, I can't blend in with the people, and although I serve in the ministry, I know something deep within is missing.
This wouldn't be the the first time I've changed churches since arriving in Australia. I left the first church because it was too far and I left from the second church because my partner couldn't understand the sermon at all.
I've had two different responses in regard to my changing churches. One was that it was okay to switch churches, the other was that it wasn't. I was told that if I had an issue with the church, I should stay put and try to solve it instead of changing churches, because that would mean I am trying to run away from problems.
I visited another church and felt at ease there because I wasn't being pressured to serve in the ministry as it was a big church with lots of manpower. I spoke to one of the members in that church and she mentioned that although her children would like to serve in the ministry, there was no opportunity to do so.
I recall that in some churches, the people serving in the ministry for that session can another session where they do not serve, but instead just concentrate on being served and on listening to the sermon. My current church is very small, so there is only one service. I am torn in deciding whether to switch church or not, because I want to be in a church that gives me the opportunity to serve but not to the point where I feel overburdened and stressed out.
What would you do? Have you ever switched churches, and how did it go?
Comments (20)
It's not like switching churches is a big deal or anything. (Protip: It's not.)
I've switched churches 5 times since I've become a Christian (that was 12 years ago) In each church I became involved with ministry and for one reason or another knew God was calling me to move in a different direction.
I dont' think there's anything wrong with switching it up as long as you've spent some serious time with God and feel it's what He wants.
I think sometimes He calls us to ride out the drought where we are, and sometimes He calls us to move because He's used us how He wanted and it's time for a new direction.
switching churches is not a big deal. you are free to go to any church you want too. heck, if you wanted to your could church hop every sunday and go to a different one each time.
Why should you stay and try to fix a problem? It's not necessarily a problems... it's just that you're needs are not being met spiritually at that church... but other's might be, so why try to change it? Why not just try to find a church that meets your spiritual needs?
I don't get why some christians make such a big deal about church. It's just church. It's really not that important. YOUR RELATIONSHIP with God is what is important.
... just another reason why I am turned off to "church".
i had a similar experience when i studied in australia - couldn't find a church that "felt" right for 1.5 years. i got involved with 3 groups, but what i felt was my real church was the couple of Christ followers with whom I met up every other week. as long as you have some form of accountability/sharing on a regular basis with people you trust and/or look up to spiritually, then consistency in sunday worship seems less important.
For me, church membership is very important. Joining a church is not something to be taken lightly, and neither is leaving one. I joined a church 4 years ago through profession of faith and baptism. I loved it there and enjoyed it very much. My husband was in the military at the time and when he returned from deployment, I had to leave the church to go back to where we were stationed. I did not move my membership, because I knew we were coming back after a year.
When we returned, my husband moved his membership and we got involved, serving in different ministries where we could. Unfortunately, the longer we were there, the more we started to see the true colors of those who "ran" the church. I use that in quotes because to be honest, it wasn't the Lord. There were certain people/families who thought it was "their" church and sadly, the pastor curved situations their way, even if it was clearly wrong to do so.
We talked with our pastor many times, but it was like talking to a brick wall. We did end up leaving, and I don't regret it AT ALL. It was still a hard and serious thing to do. We knew the Lord was telling us to go for a while, we just didn't know the right moment. When the time came, there was no doubt or question in our minds that it was time.
The Lord led us to another church and we didn't join right away. We believe joining a church is to be taken just as seriously as leaving one. When you leave a church, it should be because the Lord has led you to do it. Joining should be the same. It's easy to find something new and just jump right in, excited and willing to serve. You gotta be careful with that too or before you know it, you're a one man or woman show and you're feeling burdened instead of joyful.
We have been at our church for about 7 months now and it has truly been a calling and blessing of God. We are involved, we serve the Lord with our brothers and sisters who are truly our family, and though our church is still made up of sinners who are saved by grace, it's still all about the Lord. When you come out of one situation, you are careful (hopefully) about the next one. God has shown us that even while there are bad situations and people who don't glorify Him in some churches, there are others that are just what we need to serve and worship Him.
Your situation could be completely different from what we went through, but the Lord will use yours in the same way. He wants to glorify Himself in everything. I believe if you seek His guidance and listen to that tugging that tells you something is right, wrong, fulfilled, or missing - He will guide you to right where you need to be.
Church hopping is one thing - seeking the Lord on a path He is leading is another! God bless - and happy traveling with the Lord!
I'm not saying you do this, but many times people switch churches because they're not hearing what they want to hear. Many times God calls you to be at a church for a reason.
I left my church a long time ago, and the first sermon I heard was about staying home and being where you are needed and where God calls you to be. Bad sign for me at the time. Turned out to be a series of sermons based around the same topic and I happened to go for the first, second, third, and final one. It really opened my eyes to the idea that you're at a church because God wants you to be there because He trying to speak to you through certain people.
If you do feel that God is truly drawing you to another church then by all means go. I ended up returning to my church after that fourth sermon. Distance and trouble understanding of course are legitimate, but I can't agree with mrsmarkwith because it feels like a very selfish train of thought. We were/are not created to only take care of ourselves. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me? Then take care of my sheep." That idea should be reflected upon ourselves as well.
It gets hard. I know this, but only you and God know where you belong and where you need to be. Make sure you listen to Him more than yourself though, because that's how you'll find where you belong.
@chiltons99@xanga - Amen lady!
Let your mind be your church! Problem solved.
that happened to me a lot when i was in undergrad. i did a lot of church hopping because at one point in time, it felt like there was just too much drama surrounding the house of the Lord, and it shouldnt be like that at all. but the transition can be as smooth as you make it, as long as you're getting what you need spiritually, then noone should have a problem with it
People have mentioned "getting what you need", making sure "your spiritual needs are met". That's NOT what church is all about. It's about service, first to God and second to fellow believers. It's about worship, it's about reaching out to unbelievers and meeting their needs as best you can. "Church" to me is family. I don't just walk away, I don't hop around to other families, and yes, it is hard work sometimes.
Ultimately, you have to follow what God is telling you to do. But, remember one thing, don't follow your heart. It is deceitful. Seek God. Really listen and watch for where HE wants you to be. Sometimes that is not where YOU want to be.
Here is the guidelines I use for choosing a Church. Since we as Christians believe the Bible to be God's inspired (God-breathed) Word, then I compare the church and what they teach to what I can read in the ultimate standard, the Bible. If they are giving flowery speeches and a bunch of rhetoric without scriptural basis, I don't want any part of them or it. If I hear the Bible being read and I am seeing what they believe in the Bible, then I am more comfortable with making that church my choice versus the "large" churches who want your presence and your "presents."
If you think of the church as a family then it really changes the way that you view "church". I think the most important thing is doctrine. Do you agree with what the church thinks? If the church believes in infant baptism and you believe in believers baptism it might not be a big deal now, until you have a baby. Then it becomes a big deal to you. It is important to think ahead with the doctrine issues.
Second can you submit yourself to the leadership of the church? These are people that you are saying you trust to run the church and provide input into your life. In a crisis are these the people you can trust and want coming into your life in a personal way. Is this who you would want preaching your funeral or the funeral of your child?
It is important to remember that the church is made up of sinners. We all mess up and do things wrong.
I am sure there are people in your church who would rather you step back from serving for a time instead of leaving your church.
I agree with sugartomyhoney@xanga
I haven't switched before. But I know people who have been checking out other churches and it's ok to move there once you find one you can call home. Afterall, God wants us to feel at home with other worshipers and such.
Its not bad to change churches. but b4 u become too sure that u will be entering such religion, be very very very sure u want to do it. Be sure that this is wat u want and that u will find happiness and joy of serving God. ANyways, remember ITS NOT THE RELIGION THAT U HAVE THAT WILL DETERMINE UR SALVATION, ITS THE FAITH THAT BURNS IN UR HEART EVERY SINGLE DAY. =)
[I wud be changing churches wen i turn 21]
Ditto @sugartomyhoney@xanga's comment. And remember I Corinthians 12:18: But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as HE chose.
I switched once when I was living back East (home). It was the best for me.
Since moving to the mid-west for school two years ago, I have attended three different churches. The first one was awesome, just too big. The second one started out great, but after a year, I pretty much knew nobody. I made as much of an effort as I could to go to things, but it was twenty minutes from where I lived and b/c I wasn't working I couldn't drive to everything. It just wasn't the right fit. There's other stuff, too, but I'm not getting into it.
I just randomly decided to check out this other small church one Sunday in January. I really love it. It's hecka small but real and honest.
The problem with switching Churches is that some people use guilt to stop the process, since they want "to buld the ministry" your God's servant and need to go where he tells you to an serve as directed by the holy spirit.some time Churches also take a long time to incorporate new comers into ministry, How you deal with that is a complete blog unto it's self.
If your running from God you may need to go back and fix what ever your running from Jonah ultimately had to go carry out God's instructions to him.
Since when did being the Body of Christ become about us as individuals? I won't deny some circumstances would force us to switch churches but 90 percent of the time we leave because "our" needs are being met. Think about it......Do we realize how selfish that sounds? Yikes, I bet the saints of old are cringing or just downright pissed at these thousands of Christians that are too concerned with themselves to be about furthering God's Kingdom and His Purpose. Father forgive us.
If God is calling you to change then change. But if you are wanting to change bc you don't like it, or things get hard and that is where God wants you then you shouldn't change. God may be trying to teach you something, or better yet someone else something. Church isn't about us, it's about furthing the kingdom! Each person has a role in any particular/individual church, in addition to our role in the body of Christ. Here is a hint though, God doesn't normally call us to leave a role untill he brings someone else to replace that role. When we are in God's will we aren't always going to be comfortable, having fun, or liking it. Persevere, endure, and pray!