Sign up with your email address to be the first to know about new products, VIP offers, blog features & more.

#29 A Few Great Reasons to Leave Your Church

Have you ever left your church for another church? Over 30+ years I’ve seen a lot of people come and go and then I’ve seen some of them come back again!

In this episode of Now is the Time I give you 7 great reasons to leave your church and 4 bad reasons to leave your church!

I also answer a listener question on fasting.

file000955225845

Listener question

Don asked: I don’t completely understand the purpose of fasting. When to fast, how to fast, for how long to fast given a particular situation, etc.

Check out this post I wrote about fasting: “What’s the Deal with Fasting?”

7 Great reasons to leave your church

  1. If they don’t teach the truth. Rom 16:17-18
  2. If they don’t practice the truth. 2 Tim 3:5, 2 John 1:9-10
  3. If the church is marked by complacency and idleness. 2 Thes 3:6
  4. If they refuse to obey clear instructions from God’s Word. 2 Thes 3:14
  5. If the leadership is characterized by divisive behavior. Tit 3:10
  6. If your church sends you to serve somewhere else.
  7. If you move out of the area.

4 Bad reasons to leave your church

  1. If you don’t like the music style.
  2. If you have a conflict with another member.
  3. Because another church has better programs.
  4. Because you think you can worship better on your own.

Links

You can easily download this podcast on your mobile device by subscribing on

iTunes

or

Stitcher

If you enjoy the podcast please leave a rating and review, this helps get the podcast out in front of others!

Question: What are some other good or bad reasons for leaving your church?

9 Responses
  • Bill (cycleguy)
    May 17, 2014

    I’m thinking “because of the pastor/preacher.” Reckon that can be both bad and good?

    • Caleb
      May 17, 2014

      Bill, I referred to the “church leadership” which certainly would include the pastor/teacher. What were you thinking of specifically concerning the pastor?

      • Bill (cycleguy)
        May 17, 2014

        I was thinking more of “i don’t like his personality” or “his preaching style” or “that he won’t bow down to me.” ‘Course with the latter I would hope (as the pastor) the would leave. 🙂

  • Ngina Otiende
    May 17, 2014

    Thanks Caleb 🙂 This thought has been on my mind for a while, esp this week – why people leave or stay – and it’s great to read this now. Thanks.

    • Caleb
      May 17, 2014

      Ngina, I hope the podcast is helpful for you. These issues can be difficult because there is often a lot of emotion attached to them.

  • Joseph Iregbu
    May 18, 2014

    Hi Caleb, thanks for this post. Some very important points. Could you clarify what you meant by “If your church sends you to serve somewhere else.” as a good reason to leave?

    • Caleb
      June 5, 2014

      Joseph sorry I missed this comment of yours. What I meant by that reason for leaving is that missionaries who are sent long term from their local church effectively leave their home church and that’s a good reason to leave!

  • Dan Erickson
    May 19, 2014

    What about your feelings about the pastor? I don;t think I’d leave for that reason, but some might. If they think he’s too boring, too liberal, too conservative, etc.

  • TCAvey
    May 20, 2014

    I think you covered it pretty well. I know when my family and I have left a church it was only because we heard God tell us to. It was hard to leave, we didn’t want to, but we trusted God more than voice of man.

    Sadly I’ve known far too many who have used some of your bad excuses to leave, but God can use even that to bring Him glory and mature His children.