Freedom Fighters

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT LEAVING A CHURCH ...

"[God's} intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Ephesians 3:10-11

You might think this is an odd Freedom Fighter to write on a Sunday morning when the body is gathering today for corporate worship. I am a local-church man. Love the church, believe in the church, and encourage our people to support their local church BEFORE considering a gift to America's KESWICK. But I am amazed at how many people are "church-shopping" and have told me in recent days, several this week, that they are either bailing out on the church or leaving theirs.

I just completed a great read by Pastor Mark Dever entitled: "WHAT IS A HEALTHY CHURCH? Unfortunately, too many believers today look at church as "What's in it for me?" If you are contemplating a change in churches, let me suggest you consider Mark Dever's recommendations:

BEFORE you decide to leave:

1. Pray.

2. Let your current pastor know about your thinking BEFORE you move to another church or make your decision to relocate. Ask for his counsel.

3. Weigh your motives. Is your desire because of sinful, personal conflict or disappointment? If it's because of doctrinal reasons, are these doctrinal issues significant?

4. Do everything within your power to reconcile any broken relationships.

5. Be sure to consider all the 'evidences of grace' you've seen in the church's life - places were God's work is evident. If you cannot see any evidences of God's grace, you might want to examine your own heart once more. (Matthew 7:3-5)

6. Be humble. Recognize you don't have all the facts and assess people and circumstances charitably (give them the benefit of the doubt).

IF YOU GO:

1. Don't divide the body.

2. Take the utmost care not to sow discontent even among your closest friends. Remember, you don't want anything to hinder their growth in grace in this church. Deny any desire to gossip (sometimes referred to as 'venting' or 'saying how you feel').

3. Pray for and bless the congregation and its leadership. Look for ways to do this practically.

4. If there has been a hurt, then forgive - even as you have been forgiven.

Don't neglect church today! And in fact - make it a point today to encourage your Pastor! He needs it!

Great Quote: "The early church put it this way: in essentials, unity; in non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity!"