Changing Churches

The local church is part of a worldwide body of Christ - established by Jesus on the truth of Jesus, on the Word who became flesh, and is called to be devoted to teaching and living out the Word. In Matthew 16, we can find these words:
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

So, we have a firm foundation upon which the Church is built: Jesus told Peter that His Father had revealed that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God.  So, the living God living through His people produces a Church that is vibrant, committed to the growth of its people internally and the growth of the Church externally. We can walk day by day with the realization that we are part of an incredible global force for the glory of God.

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We belong to the body of Christ, the Church of the Living God, and this passage in 1st Timothy chapter 3 provides a reminder:
14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly;
15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Jesus said in Matthew 16 that His Church would be built on the rock of recognition that He is the "Christ, the Son of the living God."  So, the Church, the body of Christ, of which He is the head, should reflect Him.  Local churches are vital parts of His Church, where we can connect with and worship Jesus in a special way, where we can be taught the truth, and where we can fellowship with like-minded believers.

A new Lifeway Research study examines the multiple reasons for which people change their church affiliation. The survey summary says that the organization "studied 1,001 U.S. adults who identify as Protestant or non-denominational, attend church worship services at least twice a month and have attended more than one church as an adult." It relates, "53% of U.S. regular churchgoers say they have attended more than one church as an adult. Among those who have switched congregations, 63% say they’ve regularly attended only two to three churches as an adult, while another 22% have attended four to five congregations."

Not surprisingly, the number one reason why people change churches is a change of location. The summary states: "Three in 5 church switchers (60%) say a residential move impacted their decision to leave their previous church and begin attending a new one."

There were several factors which all placed in the 25-30 percent range: "some things changed about the church they did not like," "the church was not fulfilling their needs or reasons for attending church," "they became disenchanted in some ways with the pastor," or "they became disenchanted with the church."

Lifeway Research Executive Director Scott McConnell is quoted as saying, “Almost half of church switchers are motivated by the need to get out of a church they are displeased with. But that doesn’t mean the change won’t impact them for the better,” adding, “While the biggest improvements reported by church switchers are things they receive, large numbers also report that personal spiritual growth, deeper relationships, increased involvement and service resulted from their church move.”

I would contend that there are positive and negative reasons for seeking out a new church home.  Obviously, location will be a big factor in that church decision, and the move to a new area can provide the opportunity and perhaps the challenge to be involved in a local body.

But, among other reasons, there is the element of the church itself changing.  That would apparently, based on the survey summary, mean that a pastoral change would perhaps be a catalyst for people seeking out new church homes.  

We just have to make sure that our reasons are Biblical and led by the Spirit.  If we find that we have become chronic complainers or do not feel at home in a particular church situation, the problem may lie more with the individual than with the church body.  We have to make sure that we don't allow a critical spirit to govern our church involvement.

We can also recognize that because the local church is comprised of human beings, there will be human elements, there may be conflict, or hurt - that may result in a perceived need for a fresh start.  

And, a church change may take place because of spiritual drift on the part of a pastor or congregation.  Has the commitment to truth waned; has spiritual atrophy set in?  If we are not careful, we can find that a natural decline will occur - each of us individually, as well as in our churches and ministries, must guard against this decline and make sure that we are committed to growing in Christ.  If complacency is there, it opens the door for the enemy to diminish the witness of a congregation.  

I think a helpful attitude can be to find the place where God wants to use us and to serve with all our might.  Rather than possess a "consumer mentality" that is centered solely on what the church can do for us, we can think about how God would use us.  But, that should ideally be balanced with a recognition of serving in a congregation in which we can grow spiritually, that is consistent with our own beliefs, that are consistent with Scripture.