Changing Churches

Again, not so much a sermon this time, as just my need to use this white screen as a sounding board...

For the past month, my family has started having serious discussions regarding switching churches. Before writing this post, I had intended on making it a sermon, and therefore was conducting some research on this topic - i.e. what is the best, most "proper" way to switch, what should one consider before switching, etc. I was amazed at how many articles and forums I found saying that you shouldn't change churches - it is self-interest that dictates these changes which is wrong, and it unfair to the other church, and many other reasons why one should not make the change.

I was actually quite surprised by this. In my mind, the reasons for a switch - not just in my case, but in many cases, aren't bad reasons. They pertain to the spiritual health of the individual. Now granted, this doesn't mean there aren't the occassional "bad" reason - i.e. the soon to be new church has hotter chicks in the congregation, or has a sexy pastor, or has a late service which won't interfere with my Saturday night drinking. But consider the following reasons (note: these do not necessarily all apply to me... I'm just tossing out possibly good reasons for leaving a church)...

Reason 1: Minor issues with the pastor
The pastor of the current church does not "feed" you enough. He isn't available, or just doesn't make sense enough to do any good for you. His beliefs are substantially different than yours, or perhaps he just makes you feel ill at ease. There is a strained relationship there which, despite attempts to fix it, prohibit your spiritual growth.

Reason 2: Minor issues with the congregation
There is a substantial difference in beliefs and values between you and the rest of the congregation. You feel uncomfortable around them. They speak ill of you, or others, and often make you feel as if you're an outsider. There is a strained relationship there which makes it difficult to even muster up any desire to attend church.

Reason 3: Major (or slightly less minor) issues with the pastor
The pastor has either physically or emotionally abused you in some way. Perhaps he actually struck out at you, or made advances towards you. Perhaps he insulted you, criticized you in a way that had little to do with guiding you and more to do with forcing his own will upon you. Or maybe you've seen him act this way towards others.

Reason 4: Major (or slightly less minor) issues with members of the congregation
If there is something within the congregation whom has abused you either physically, emotionally, or both - this can make it very difficult to find the desire to attend church. This abuse can come in any way as described in reason 3 - and it is substantial enough to hinder your spiritual growth and your feeling of fellowship. Or again, maybe you have witnessed these actions between other members of the congregation - such that it causes fear in your heart and makes it difficult to come to church and concentrate on worship or fellowship.

Reason 5: Strong desire for spiritual growth
You want to grow spiritually. You feel a need to grow spiritually. You're ready for this growth. But, maybe for one of the above reasons - or maybe because of something else - you truly do not feel you can get this growth at your current church.

Reason 6: The current church was never truly "your" church
Maybe you had a church you truly felt comfortable with, but you had to move to another state. You started going to a church because it was close by, or was the same denomination as your prior church. But, you never truly allowed it to be yours. You never felt like you fit in, and therefore never fully embraced the congregation or pastor or views of the church.

I could probably come up with a few more, but I'll stop for now. But, I am curious - are these not understandable reasons for switching to a new church? Should not the purpose of your chosen church be to have one which feeds you spiritually, and one in which you feel a fellowship with the people? Should it not be a church where there is a degree of trust or respect between you and the pastor, and you and the rest of the congregation?

Should it not be a place where you feel comfortable to learn and grow and worship?

Is Church Necessary for Salvation?

I grew up being taught that if you don't attend church at least semi-regularly, you won't be saved. Even now, the mentality of many people I know claims that I, and my family, will be going to hell because of our lack of church attendance. In fact, in a normal given year I attend church approximately three times - Christmas service, Easter service, and usually one random one (maybe it's a mother's day, or confirmation Sunday, or whatever). 

But, is church attendance really that important? 

I have asked a few pastors this question, and usually get the same response - yes. If you are Christian, and want to be saved, you must attend church. In fact, some seem to place so much importance on this weekly event, that it negates everything else one does throughout the week. This is one of my issues with the Church. Its participants will often leave the church, pleased with their salvation, and head off to the cafe to talk about how horrible other people are... how they won't be saved... how these non-attenders are on a fast track to hell.

Is this really how the game of Christianity is played? Two hours of worship a week, and we can spend the rest of the week being two-faced, back-stabbing, hypocritical people doing the work of Satan? If that's the rules to the game, I don't want to play. 

One pastor actually gave me an answer to the question of the necessity of church that made sense. He essentially said that no, church isn't necessary, but some form of fellowship is. This can be a bible study group, a church, or any form of community with a shared spiritual desire and belief.

So what does the Bible say regarding this topic? There is one verse I particularly like: 

Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

1 Timothy seems to have the closest reference to attending a church, but even with these verses, it does not specify that it is to be a church: 

1 Timothy 4:13 - Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

1 Timothy 2:8 - I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 

 

A few neighborhood children, including two of my own, have created their own Bible camp. They gather once or twice a week to read scripture, pray, and discuss and teach each other what they feel the scripture means. By the verses above, they have met the requirements even though they may or may not attend church on a regular basis. 

We must not fool ourselves into believing that Church is a requirement, and definitely should be cautious that we are not making this a sole requirement for salvation. We need to worship God in all we do and everywhere we are. We should act as Christians Monday through Saturday as much or more-so as we do on Sundays. Attending Church is not a necessity, provided we are surrounding ourselves with Christians, and doing our best at being good Christians. The reason for the Church is that it is meant to be a place where Christians with similar beliefs can gather... but when the church is not that fellowship, then find a fellowship that works for you whether it be a Church, or a group of friends you can have bible study/conversations with, etc.