A DEFENSE FOR LEAVING CHURCH

For the past few days I have been sympathetic with people who act upon their expressed need to leave the church, no longer to attend any church. I qualified that these are people who are leaving to explore their relationship with the LORD away from the organized, institutional church. Factoring into their decision there may be mitigating conditions such as frustration with worship forms, music styles, teaching, congregational size, mission and vision. These are individuals who have been faithful, involved, productive members but who are now hungering for holiness, serenity, more of God, solitude. I have been advocating that pastors and church members who witness such departures be considerate and understanding.

You wouldn't expect such believers to remain would you? Perhaps they have a history of active service and financial support in the church and their departure will be modestly noticed. Would you be upset with them? Would they receive your blessing as they move on? This may have been a tortuous decision for them but the right one. Their own worship will need to find another venue.

One of the motivations presented by those who leave, is their felt inability to worship in the public services at church any longer. But where are they going to go?

A quick online survey of local church advertisements for my area indicates that all congregations that describe themselves as evangelical, present contemporary worship music by a band. One congregation meeting in a school informs seekers that the church provides earplugs to anyone who asks, because their music is loud. Well suppose that a worshipper's soul at present is in need of something different, calmer, and meditative. Among other options are Anglican, one sectarian congregation requiring women to wear long dresses, one Scottish Presbyterian Church that requires women in hats and men in suits & ties, and an orthodox congregation where everyone stands. There are no chairs.

After examining the options, this worshipper decides to worship privately. That becomes fulfilling and meaningful. In time perhaps he meets others like himself and there is agreement to benefit mutually from meeting in one of their homes. They read scripture, talk about it, apply it to life situations about which they become increasingly transparent, and they pray. They grow in their obedience, receptivity to God's Spirit, commitment to one another and easy engagement with non-religious neighbours. They become satisfied that this is also church. The question is then, is Jesus Christ satisfied that this is church? I believe he is satisfied.