Why you need to leave your church...

Got ya! This article is not really encouraging people, but to list the reasons why you should never leave your church. It seems that no matter how much you say your committed to your church, there are moments that you think of leaving to go to another church. Switching churches should be an infrequent activity, as our responsibility as followers of Christ to to build and support the local church. Surely, from both a biblical perspective and a practical perspective it is impossible to achieve any level of effectiveness if we're changing churches every few years. If you do find yourself at a crossroads of switching churches, or feel God is leading you elsewhere be sure to answer these important questions.

1. Am I upset or offended by anything?

Even if it is time for you to go, if there is someone who has offended you in the church, deal and make that right, before you even think of leaving the church. Being offended is the most common reason of leaving the church, and the worst way to leave. If you don't deal with things in your current church, where you know forgiveness has been achieved in its fullest form in your position, you will find your problems will follow you to a new church.

2. You disagree with leadership

Beyond a MAJOR change from biblical morals, having a different opinion from leadership is normal and is also no reason to leave a church. It is easy to submit and honor when you agree, but the real test of your honor is if you can submit through difference of opinion.

3. The church doesn't have the right programs for you or your family.

Remember, how the church exists to reach and save the lost. Let it be about that for your family and not whether there is an incredible youth or children's program. Teach your kids to be leaders in their on right and to focus on reaching their own friends and not whether the church has something to offer them.

That's it, if you pass these three tests you should be prepared to move in. Except that it seems that this rules a lot of people out. In fact, maybe a better way to think of your church is like a family. You would think long and hard about leaving your family, right?