Leaving a Church The Right Way?

[Jermyn Davidson]

Is there really such a thing?

I mean, I imagine that there is a wrong way to leave a church, i.e. yelling and cursing as the ushers escort you out.

Seriously though, should a saint of God seek "permission" to leave a church? If so, how would that go?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Is there really such a thing?

I mean, I imagine that there is a wrong way to leave a church, i.e. yelling and cursing as the ushers escort you out.

Seriously though, should a saint of God seek "permission" to leave a church? If so, how would that go?

No.
Having said that, it IS good etiquette to tell those in power that your leaving, but you do not need permission.

Now I am sure there are some (many?) pastors who feel that "Obey them!" includes expecting a member to stay in a particular church even if they wish/need to leave for whatever reason.

[KWSS1976]

When we left ours we were nice about it I called the pastor and told him and explained why we are leaving and our views and told them it was not anyone at the church or anything like that, he was cool about it.

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Is there really such a thing?

I mean, I imagine that there is a wrong way to leave a church, i.e. yelling and cursing as the ushers escort you out.

Seriously though, should a saint of God seek "permission" to leave a church? If so, how would that go?

When we left the UPC church in California, we met with the pastor and told him that we were leaving that morning. We did not come there to seek his permission but to be respectful and inform him in person. He was not happy and said a couple of things that need not need to be said but he was hurt.

He told us that God told him in prayer that morning told him to just let us go.

We went straight to an Assembly of God church that was right down the street that I did not even know existed.

In the middle of service there was tongues and interpretation

" I have broken the chains and I have set your feet on a straight path and I am leading you out to freedom"

You don't think the Holy Ghost was in the house. We broke and wept in the presence of the Most High. The Spirit was so sweet and gentile.

God is good!

[RandyWayne]

Oh man, when anyone left OUR church back in the day they were officially shunned. We're talking, time set aside from the sermon to warn the congregation not to "fellowship" with "those people" and then examples were given about those who DID fellowship with those that were warned against it -and had unspeakable things happen to them.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Thanks guys.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Is there really such a thing?

I mean, I imagine that there is a wrong way to leave a church, i.e. yelling and cursing as the ushers escort you out.

Seriously though, should a saint of God seek "permission" to leave a church? If so, how would that go?

You thinking about leaving MW's already!?

[BeenThinkin]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Oh man, when anyone left OUR church back in the day they were officially shunned. We're talking, time set aside from the sermon to warn the congregation not to "fellowship" with "those people" and then examples were given about those who DID fellowship with those that were warned against it -and had unspeakable things happen to them.

Sounds like the place I went as a teenager!

I think the right thing to do is to be a gentleman, (lady), a Christian and a respectful person, and then leave. With some pastors you could never leave and be right, regardless. So do the things that make you right in your own heart, being honest with yourself and go on with your life.

If you know you did what's right that's what is important.

Just my thoughts.

Been Thinkin

[Arphaxad]

Tell them three times"I divorce you"

[Titus2woman]

I wrote a letter. I'd already been told by several close friends, including some in ministry postions, that we would not be 'allowed' to leave. Since that was not an option I did not crack open that door. The letter was polite but firm. Then we avoided phone calls and emails for a couple of months. Anyone who did the 'miss you at church' thing to me in public was quickly told that if they missed me we could go grab a cup of coffee any time. Anyone who posted on my FB that they missed me at church was given a quick private note with the same message... if they did it again I unfriended them. It all died down in about a year.

I think the best way to leave a church is to move out of town, out of state if you can, and drop a postcard from where ever you've gone.