Community is so important. After being at a church for almost 2 years the pastor has probably only spoken 4 words to my husband and I. We did join a small group of married folks our age and they were very clique like and it was disheartening because the student pastor and his wife were the ones leading it and they allowed the cliques to continue. Even when we brought it up as a concern we were just told "yall need to find your people". Today is day one at a new church we are trying out. Pray that we find community and encouragement.
You need to find your people!!?? Mate! That was a private group of friends, posing as a church group! I had the same thing with a ladies bible study. Suddenly they didnt know when their next meeting was. Until i eventually stopped asking. I had done nothing wrong. No one accused me of anything. I complained to the minister's wife and she took their side, without even explaining what it was! She defended them lying to me and shutting me out, but did not tell me why! So how could i fix it? What could i apologise for? All they achieved was to lose my trust in any integrity they may have had. Was that worth it? Was God impressed? I am over the ...... Fill in the blank. of small minded cliques.
How were you serving the church, and in what areas were you using your talents and abilities? Were you not allowed to start your own small groups? Respectfully, people who do serve the church manage to build amazing relationships. Become active.
@@Nochill764 you are very wrong here. Not everybody who cannot establish amazing relationships is the problem. There are very definitely Church cliques, and bad churches. They may preach the truth but live a totally different lifestyle and yes that can happen at a church. Churches have started there have been unhealthy churches. To the original poster I would say it's time to move on. Find a church that truly does love others and is not just a community club which of the church is as you described that's exactly what they've become. There is a term used in a book called family chapels. What happens is when people are in a church for a long time they tend to take ownership of the church, and they have their will as the driving force not God's will.
My church is a clique church and lots of favoritism. I bring ideas and they ignore me. I have been a member for over 25 years. I don't want to say much on social media. I am on my 9th Pastor, which makes me uncomfortable. The Pastors are interim Pastors. I pray I could have a conversation with my Pastor, Please keep me in prayer. Thank you,
Had to leave my last church because the pastor had embarrassed me more than once. This hits worse because I am on the spectrum and it was done in a very harsh way that felt really targeted. I moved to a new church and I'm getting along great with everyone and the leaders are super kind just because we all love the Lord so much and we all just want to chat away about him. They actually have a worship service instead of mainly taking coffee breaks and singing the same overly upbeat music. If you feel like your current church is getting too lukewarm or the environment is not good, don't always blame yourself or even think you're just a defective Christian. Get your fire burning again with the right church! Also please no replies about me having a demon inside me just because I'm on the spectrum, I have taken this to God and he has taken me through understanding why I am this way. He has blessed me supernaturally with wonderful talents, I just have a few quirks. God doesn't hate or ignore people on the spectrum, in fact it really does allow me to be way more close to him because of it.
I am glad You Found a Good, Healthy and Biblical Church that will help You on Your Walk. I have Yet to Find One for Me (looking at Reformed (4 or 5 Point "Calvinist") Low Anglican however) . I am on the Autism Spectrum as well. Do take Care Sister. Love, Blessings and Peace :)
@@raquelwilson9190 and @spicy gal. It means She has Autism. Like Myself. It should also be noted, that, although I note that "The Chosen" has become very Controversial in Evangelical Circles lately due to the Involvement of a Known Cult in its Production :( , its evangelical Scriptwriter may have Possibly hit on a Truth by Portraying Saint Matthew as being Autistic, if we look at Saint Matthew's Gospel, it is *very* Logical, being ordered into 5 Distinct "Blocks" to Reflect the 5 Books of Moses (the Torah) , shows intense Memory for Details and for Parables, but also has very limited Social Nuance, it is, to put it plainly, as Subtle as a Sledgehammer, it does strike Me, Personally, as Possibly being the product of the Guidance of the Holy Ghost being interpreted by an Autistic Mind, Even Got Questions Points out that it is Plausible that Saint Matthew may have been Autistic. Christ, indeed, most certainly does not ignore People on the spectrum, as He may well have had a Disciple on it! It is Plausible according to Got Questions. To back Up Our Sisters Request on No "Demon" Comments: It is a Sad Fact that Many People, Especially in Pentecostal /New Age Circles, believe that those with Disabilities are Demon Possessed as they are a Punishment for Sin, this however, as Revealed in Saint John Chapter 9, is a *Lie of the Pharisees* . The Gospel according to Saint John Chapter 9 Verse 34 - King James Version: "They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out" It is also Revealed in Saint John Chapter 9, that those with Disabilities are actually Created for God's Glory, so His Good Works can be made manifest through us. The Gospel according to Saint John Chapter 9 Verses 1 to 3 - King James Version: "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." So any Church that teaches that Disabilities are Demonic Possession, or are a Punishment for Sin is *Not* a Healthy Church as they are teaching *unbiblically* and needs to be Left as Fast as Possible , our Sister did the Right thing there! I hope that Helps You Both , love Blessings and Peace.
When "leadership" gets joy out of belittling and embarrassing you and hiding behind the pulpit to do so, that is a key indicator that it's time to jet.
That's toxic preaching. If the pastor is using the pulpit to verbally target you. Many times in this situation they won't confront you privately about a particular sin they believe you committed in love (to restore you to fellowship). Unfortunately this is happening more and more in the church today. This also can lead to serious gossiping which can destroy a brother or sister in Christ's testimony.
There may come a time when you need to leave a church because you've outgrown that church. The church of my youth was the one where I heard the Lord's call to go into the ministry. However, It wasn't the church I would stay at when I began to get my BA in Religion. I eventually changed churches because I had outgrown the church of my youth.. Not every church is at the same level and has the same purpose. Some churches are evangelistic and catered to fostering the young in christ. Others are better suited towards aiding the family unit. Some churches are best suited for spiritual growth and maturity. So when you reach a new stage in your spiritual growth, you may find the need to change churches.
I have my own 4 Signs when to leave: -One time is fine, but if your Pastor gets gets debunked by Atheist-UA-camrs multiple times, its time to leave asap. -If your Pastor is part of a Hategroup, for example Christianity, a tyrannical group that amantes LGBT-Hate and even just hate-in-General in WAVES, then its time to leave. -Same thing for Science-Denial. Same what i just said. HEY, LITTLE QUESTION: What Groups do you think are the Main-Sourcs today that emanate and support and endorse and spread Science-Denial? Right, its Christianity. -Herbs Selling? Leave!
Are we suppose go to church to receive? The main reason is to serve and give. Leaving the church for that reason is a sign of expectation of receiving not being met. When it comes to church; it's not about me; it's not about you; it's all about Him. That is not a good reason to leave the church; it will give you an excuse to see that in every church; also if you're at a higher maturity than perhaps you're still there to feed His sheep; to whom much is given much is required. Most of all it's not biblical. The difference is in this video the reasons to leave he gives biblical reasons.
This is what i’ve been feeling lately. That i’ve outgrown the church a bit but then I feel bad cause i’m like “am I just being arrogant?” I have been to another church and it’s def. giving me more of what i’d like in terms of spiritual maturity and truth.
@@OjukwuIsaac Sorry, but I just now saw your comment. Receiving is also a part of going to church: receiving the blessings of fellowship, receiving instruction on the Word of God, receiving the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There does come a time when a Christian needs to move on because of outgrowing the church they've been attending. Jesus alludes to this when he returns to Nazareth, and the people reject his message because they only saw him as "The Carpenter's Son". Jesus tells his disciples, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own home." In other words, as you mature in the faith, you'll have to go somewhere that will allow you and help you grow and mature in Christ.
Appreciate how you not only give reasons why we should consider leaving but also ask questions to question our hearts/motives and keep us humble in the process.
@@willmallory9085 right now I’m just praying and want to be Obedient to whatever God wants me to do. There’s a long list of reasons why I want to go. Not sure where to begin. But, I also won’t leave until God confirms that it’s time. I haven’t gotten that answer yet. One of those is that my husband isn’t ready to go. And I don’t want our home to be divided in this area. So I keep praying and reading scripture. On Friday I’ll be starting a fast with a few other believers and will keep serving and tithing in the meantime.
We just recently left our church after being there for almost five years as my husband didn’t agree with the doctrine. As he started to notice different things the Lord was working on me as well that it was time to leave. It was a challenge but we are now in a church with proper doctrine.
The real doctrine is our saviour Christ he said the true worshippers will worship God and spirit and true continue to study your bible and good meditation the holy spirit will open your eyes . remenber u only have 1 saviour 1 pastor His name is Jesus Christ ...stay blessed help your husband with your spiritual knowledge...may the holy spirit continue to help you. all of them are the same❤
@@natashajeanbatistedarcisse8940 I have my own 4 Signs when to leave: -One time is fine, but if your Pastor gets gets debunked by Atheist-UA-camrs multiple times, its time to leave asap. -If your Pastor is part of a Hategroup, for example Christianity, a tyrannical group that amantes LGBT-Hate and even just hate-in-General in WAVES, then its time to leave. -Same thing for Science-Denial. Same what i just said. HEY, LITTLE QUESTION: What Groups do you think are the Main-Sourcs today that emanate and support and endorse and spread Science-Denial? Right, its Christianity. -Herbs Selling? Leave!
Stifled? Yes, very much. I go out to lead worship at conferences and other churches, but my own church seems profoundly uninterested in what I have to offer.😩
The hardest part is leaving a church and not wanting to ask everyone else there if they’ve experienced the same issues or see the same things. How do you find a balance between warning others but not wanting to partake in something that may come off as slander or gossip? At this point, I’m just placing my trust in God that He will show others as He sees fit. I just get concerned for the other sheep who may not notice what’s happening.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 I think you did the right thing, people that are seeking God with there hearts will be led by the Spirit in GOD'S time, not man's time.
This really is the hardest part. If its a leadership issue (which is where i find this the primary problem) then how does one do church discipline? That is where im with you on this one. especially if the others in the church, either wont talk about it, or believe it, and/or the leadership wont listen. and in my case, you find out later, others have similar grievances, after-the-fact... Its wierd.
I think it depends. If there is overt unbiblical teaching happening, or if you know of abuse happening, I think warning others is okay. I think it gets tricky when it’s more of a disagreement on doctrine or the church is run in a way you disagree with, but wouldn’t necessarily be considered anti biblical. I think it just comes down to how sure you are that people are being led astray.
I just left my church. People can see what's going on there but they'd rather make excuses and minimize things. I can't help them. I can only protect me.
Now that you've left your church, can I encourage you to pray specifically for God to lead your direction in finding a new church? I left a church about 3 years ago after suffering spiritual abuse. I was ready to give up on attending any church. I took my burdens to the Lord and prayed specifically. One of my prayers was to find loving christian female friends and a friend that played an unusual instrument that I was trying to learn. Long story short. God Iead me to a loving church filled with sincere loving people(I have plenty of sincere sisters in Christ) and the Pastors wife plays the very instrument I was learning. In fact my new church had EVERY detailed prayer request that I'd asked for. Only God can do that! 👏👏Please pray specifically without ceasing. God will answer your prayers. ❤
You left cause you were unhappy so if you are in are relationship and you feel unhappy you leave so how many relationships have you left lol feelings emotions are fickle no church is perfect just like no relationship is perfect think about it
@@jamesburroughs7248 When I asked God for change in my life he started removing people out of my life. The sad part about it, it be many Hypocrites in the church, it was hard making that Decision because I search so long for a church home, I was there for One year, But when I open up and started telling the church about how God show me visions and dreams that’s when things got nasty And people begun to be jealous and started to treat me bad. Yes I was unhappy for the way that I was treated I ask God to forgive those people and I move on because God told me to. I was brief when I made that first comment. This Video was just confirmation. Blessings to you.
This has encouraged me, I'm not having any problems with my church but it's helped me understand how my transgressions can cause division and perhaps cause one of the brethren to stumble if I don't correct it. Thanks Bro. Allen
"5/30/11 From The Lord, Our God and Savior The Word of The Lord Spoken to Timothy For The Lord’s Little Flock, and For All Those Who Have Ears to Hear Thus says The Lord: I have bestowed many gifts upon this generation, and lo, the small of My flock have received knowledge and revelation beyond compare. Yet I ask you, who has truly received? Who has been humbled by My words and given thanks? Who among all these scattered flocks has taken joy in My gifts? Beloved, who among this great multitude seeks out My will, to know it? And who, among all these so-called believers, takes pleasure in My Law, saying, “I delight to do Your will, O God, for Your Law is written in my heart”?[1] Yet My people remain foolish, and this little flock envious. For I tell you the truth: Unrighteous jealousy is the companion of fools. For those who envy also grab hold of jealousy, walking hand in hand with covetousness. Beloved, there is but One who sees, One who knows, only One who searches the hearts and minds - I AM HE. How is it then that My people sit in judgment, judging My Word and My will, resisting My ways as they look upon others with contempt? Shall you also seek to ascend above The Most High?! Shall you sit upon My throne?! For I tell you the truth, each time you sit in judgment and question My ways, you walk in satan’s aspirations; you follow in his footsteps![2] And when I bless another, why do you not take joy in it? And when I correct you, why do you resist and question My ways? Am I not The Lord? Do I not give to each according to their faith, according to that which I see in their heart? Why do you in your arrogance set a line for Me to follow, or think within yourselves there must be a better way? And how is it you continually compare yourselves amongst yourselves, knowing this is unwise?[3] Beloved, I have prepared a place for you! Therefore offer up thanksgiving, and cease from your complaints. Forgive and bless, let go and obey, love one another and wash each other’s feet. Take joy in all I do, especially in that which I bestow upon another. And when I feed you, eat from your own plate and give thanks. Little flock, it is the last hour, yet many of you have stepped backward. Let it be known to you: One who treads the path, going up and down, stepping on and off at their convenience, treads not the path, but is like one who treads water. By no means shall they be able to keep their head above water, nor shall their strength deliver them in the Day of Troubles. Therefore heed My words, and also do them; Be wise in your dealings with Me, Humble yourselves and remember... Blessed are those who run to Me, For they shall be blessed in My presence; Even more blessed are those who run to Me, Then obey My Word, for their blessing Is complete and they are at peace... Deliverance they shall surely know... Says The Lord." www.thevolumesoftruth.com/Delight_in_the_Ways_of_The_Lord
My suggestion is to get into a church with sound biblical expositional preaching/teaching and avoid any church that the pastor is a celebrity, does not practice church discipline and never addresses sin and the need for repentance.
My church has about 25 - 30 people on average. And it's been that way for the last 2 -4 years. 98% of them are over the age of 75. We've got Sunday morning service and midweek Bible study. But outside of that there is literally nothing. I have a huge heart for Souls and I think that every single church without exception should be teaching evangelism at least to some degree. But my pastors teaching and preaching seems to be singularly focused on strengthening the Believers that presently attend the church without any desire for Church growth or soul-winning. As if his one & only message/s seem to be variations of " just hold on folks, just a little longer and we'll move on to Glory or Jesus Will return"! I so desperately want a church that does some kind of corporate prayer for the community and lost and actually doing some kind of community Street evangelism. At least once a month. My church has none of this and I feel so dissatisfied or grieved more times than not whenever I leave church. I'm concerned that I'm being judging or critical but I honestly don't think that's what the issue is. So I've stopped going for the last month and have found that I am growing much more in the confines of my own home. I Testify of Jesus and Witness all the time at my work but I really long for a group of people from my church to do some kind of evangelism with or at least corporate prayer for the Lost and because my church does not seem to have any desire to incorporate these things in our church, I feel like I go to a dead church. There is no passion at all! I feel like I'm doing something wrong though because the people there are very loving and the pastor really does care about the people. Any advice for me? I live in a very small town and there are no other churches in my area I can attend that preach the Bible with the accuracy that this pastor teaches with. But even with that I find his messages are great and full of Biblical history and exegesis but nothing you can apply to your daily thinking and life in a practical way. Just lots of information! Yet I still feel very disconnected from this church and even my pastor. I once even asked him if he could do a little teaching or give some advice on Soul winning. This was during one of our Bible studies during the week. His response to my request was that was really not in his job description. He chuckled and and thought it was funny that an evangelist was asking a pastor to teach out do evangelize. And then he explained that as a pastor, his job is to teach equip and strengthen his flock. I can't tell you how sad and heavy I felt when I left Bible study that night. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't part of equipping the saints, teaching them how to win souls and or evangelize? So Maybe because of the age of everybody in the church his messages and teaching seem to be only focused on helping everyone to just hold on a little longer. Grip that steering wheel as tight as you can, keep the faith & hold on for dear life till Jesus returns! He seems to be afraid of the church getting too big or maybe he doesn't feel adequate or worthy enough to have a growing church. All I know is that he seems to have a very outspoken negative opinion about big churches. This makes me feel that as long as he seems to have a chip on his shoulder for big churches, our church will never grow. Anyway, he seems to be a lovely man but I feel like he and I are on two totally different pages and visions. Am I being arrogant? Am I being selfish? Am I being deceived? Should I just continue to go to this church even though I feel so unsatisfied and or unfulfilled? I know that church shouldn't always be about me and sometimes God wants us places for the sake of others but I won't dare think of myself more highly than I ought to. I am no savior to anyone. I just love Jesus and I want others to fall in love with him too. And when it's all said and done I think that should be the Church's number one responsibility. As my pastor says his job is to make disciples. But I'm pretty sure making disciples includes reaching the lost ? Doesn't it? I know I wrote a lot but I'm really desperate for some advice that might correct me if I am absolutely missing it or confirm what the Lord might be leading me to next.
@@anthonycastillo7859 there should be preaching about the need for repentance and about the judgment that is coming for the ungodly, but there absolutely needs to be a balance struck between that and God‘s grace and mercy.
@@melirentas i really like my church. However, the only option they gave me for participation is bring a greeter. I enjoy outreach ministry and music ministry. They mostly sing hymns and don't have an outreach ministry. It's a smaller church.
@@truthology4u Kind of. However, they said it would not be apart of the church. They said they don't mind us doing things outside of the church it just wouldn't be affiliated with them.
My sons are discouraged because of the negativity in the Church today and angry at me too when I leave to seek another Church. I try to tell them that scriptures do say in the last days there is a great falling away of the Church before Jesus will cone back. I don't intend to quit seeking a 'working Church' but if the word and Holy Spirit directs me to dust my feet, I will.
Stay out of BABYLON that is what our ALL MIGHTIEST TELLS US, so jesus is the head of churches and his reign is over. Cov is also church scriptures signed by fran christus.
Biblical illiteracy amongst God’s people is the reason why evil has flourished within every Christian church. To believe any church is exempt from evil entering its doors is ignorance capitalized by the devil. There will always be wolfs amongst God’s sheep inside every church who’s only purpose is to divide and conquer. It was the devil himself who quoted parts of scripture when he tempted Jesus and it was the full knowledge of scripture that Jesus used against the devil to make him leave. Scripture not only strengthens our relationship with God but also helps us to defeat the evil within this world and within his churches, regardless of title. Jesus along with his apostles gave us permission to hold people within the church accountable in order to protect his church and remove them if needed. If evil flourishes, the fault then doesn’t lie with the church but with people for failing to hold it accountable. --------------- The following is what I found within scripture that supports my statement. “Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.” Matthew 22:29 “Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself.” Ezekiel 3:10 “Your people are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right,’ but it is they who are not doing what’s right.” Ezekiel 33:17 “I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.” Acts of the Apostles 20:29 “These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:2-3 “It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 “in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus. Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.” 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 “Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5:6-9 “These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock, and I will stop them from feeding themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths; the sheep will no longer be their prey.” Ezekiel 34:9-10 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” Matthew 7:15 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.” Matthew 7:21-23 “For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4 “Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals.” 2 Peter 2:13 “It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.” 2 Peter 2:21 “But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.” Jude 1:17-19 “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” 1 John 4:1 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.” Proverbs 31:8 “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2 “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12 --------------- The apostle Paul also became an example on how we must hold each other accountable as followers of Christ. During his time, not only did he use scripture to prove God’s truth but even corrected Peter for his actions in front of everyone, proving that even those in high positions can make mistakes which can be corrected by others within the church. Anything less is simply an excuse and an invitation for the devil to flourish from within. “He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.” Acts of the Apostles 18:28 “But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”” Galatians 2:11-16 --------------- Jesus himself became angry that people, from lack of holding it’s leaders accountable (Pharisees/Priest) had allowed evil to flourish within God’s temple. It was him, Jesus who became the first example of what must be done in order to cleanse it. He didn’t wait for repentance, nor provide forgiveness but removed them first! “Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”” Matthew 21:12-13 “Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted,” Matthew 15:12-13 --------------- Anyone who accepts Jesus as our savior is indeed a Christian, responsible for protecting not only his church but his people as well. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 One must then ask themselves, who does it benefit more if I leave the church, God or the devil? “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.” Matthew 25:45
The Catholic Church as corrupt as it’s become, is still the closes church we have to Jesus. Failure to hold them accountable is what led Protestants to leave in the 15th century, meaning as Christians we All were UNITED as ONE church under the Catholic Church till that separation, that’s a historical and religious fact. Our responsibility as Christians is to come together in unity by holding those in power accountable. If the Catholic Church has failed it’s people is because it’s people have failed to do what God had instructed them to do. Can we still fix the Catholic Church? YES! But instead the majority of people will let the wolfs advise them to leave instead of accepting their responsibility to hold anyone accountable. People should return to the Catholic Church and hold it accountable as they unite once again.
@@Antonio.R.O.C. in regards to holding the Church responsible, well said! Every Church that I was led to dust my feet, therefore I have done. I will share a brief account of my most recent: After awhile of being in attendance, by and by, the pastor revealed more and more. He began to attack us from the pulpit and continually poll the congregation. My husband and I have been married for 30+ years. The pastor soon explained that he was justified for his position even though he had been divorced. He had 7 offspring, 2 sons from his present wife. He told the Church that his wife had a child before they were married. ... After we met with the pastor on several contentions... We dusted out feet. I'd love to hear a testimony from you on this matter. Be blessed.
@@kdawnd6262 As for leaders, pastors, elders, priest, whatever high position they hold must abide by the rules given to them within the Bible. Anyone who deviates from them must be taken out. It’s that simple. Just as Paul refuted the leaders of his time with scripture, we too must do the same. Some have been sent to cause division by the devil and others directly from God. Scripture helps us to know the difference and either we remove the wolf from within or allow ourselves to be rebuked and taught by those God sends. * “But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized!” 1 Corinthians 11:19 * “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11 My recommendations: First: Put God first, even above your own Family. * “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” Matthew 10:37 Second: Trust God above anyone else. * “This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5 Third: Read scripture * “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8 Fourth: Patiently allow the Holy Spirit to reveal his truth. * “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative-that is, the Holy Spirit-he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26 People tend to forget that Jesus himself caused division amongst the Jewish people, showing us that we would either stand firm by his words or allow the world to corrupt us but we would have to pick between them and worst, it would start within our own Family. * “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!” Matthew 10:34-36 I personally for many years refused to limit myself to a particular title within Christianity but as began to read scripture and dive deeper into Christianity history, my ignorance could no longer accept the worlds view. The Catholic Church is indeed the closes church we have to Jesus. All of Christianity was indeed united under the Catholic Church until the 16th century when the Protestants decided to break apart and removed certain books from the Bible, before then, those book were accepted. To disregard that historical and religious fact is to paved the way for what we have now… thousands of Christian religions who have deviated from scripture and it’s authority. The Catholic Church is not perfect but it’s the people at fault for not holding it accountable. That ignorance has now spread amongst all Christian churches as the devil continues to win by spreading us further apart. Our purpose as a church was never meant to be divided but united. * “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:11-16 I am not here to convert anyone, simply acknowledging the facts and what’s written within the Bible. Seek him above all else. “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30
My wife and left our last church after eight years because their direction changed to “seeker friendly” and we don’t support that approach. But with that said, we still speak with our former pastor and pray for him and his wife. Just the other day we visited them at their home. It was just time for us to move on from that church and we’re now in a church where we’re very comfortable. They are big on Bible doctrine and it’s shat we were looking for.
I get it. It's hard to leave when you've formed relationships. We're in that process. Our church said point-blank, "We're looking for millennials with children. That's our focus."
@@abeck7929 my understanding is that they start preaching less and less the heaven and hell issue or deep biblical issues, especially where Christians may have to walk the narrow road, music is one where you're not sure if it's praising God or not because it's ambiguous wording about love etc, they'll play secular music like Beyonce during breaks out after service, they'll have one million and one activities going on especially on church grounds but no evangelizing, it's a push to make church seem cool to unbelievers to attract them, you hear people saying "not like normal boring church at all, very cool", but unfortunately you can't stop when you attract them or they'll leave. The list isn't exhaustive or implies they're seeker churches, but if you see unbelievers praising how unlike "church" it is, it's a signal to question things. (Again not all the time, if you live in some prejudiced town where "believers" have mixed malice and hatred with the gospel etc of course when they see a godly church people will say good things about it).
I left a church almost 2 years ago because I identified with at least two of the signs that you have presented in this video. I was saved in that church and attended for over 20 years. I served in the helps ministry and participated prominently in the weekly church prayer meeting. My decision to leave was not a knee jerk reaction, but the end product of a growing sense of disillusionment. Leaving was painful and I bear no animosity towards the members of that church. However, I could no longer sit under the church leadership. I didn't think some of the preaching was the gospel and felt that there was an unhealthy aspect of manipulation and control. I often left the weekly service feeling angry and frustrated. The new church I attend is not perfect which I don't expect, as I am not a perfect person. I do think that level of integrity in my new church is higher than in the previous church and overall, for me it is more tolerable. The Holy Spirit has never placed it on my heart to go back.
@@connieo1332 Yes, it is extremely disappointing when you experience this. A church is supposed to be a refuge, but this may not be the case. This is why we have the Holy Spirit and the bible to sustain us and guide us in paths of righteousness and truth. It is more damaging to stay in a toxic environment than to leave and go elsewhere even though that is also painful. I pray 🙏 for inner strength for you to move forwards. God will never leave you or forsake you
We left a church recently after nearly 4 years for most of the reasons within this video. The sad thing is many people know how the leadership operate and yet continue to stay. As a family, we could not in good faith continue to compromise what we were seeing and what had happened to family members and others within the church. We haven't said really anything about why we left but needless to say, we have basically been ex-communicated by many.
My son is a Minister. I sent this video to my him whom I believe need to break away and start his own church. Where he has been and now this pastor is holding back what God called him to do.
I am being held back, I am. It is the most hurtful feeling. I love the Lord and speak his truth. They do not like my truth. I will be making a decision soon.
Awesome video. It’s very hard to decide to leave a church because it can feel like a bad breakup. Plus, kudos to Pastor Al for giving some biblical references to consider before deciding if it’s the right step.
I totally agree about what you said about leaving a church. I felt like I should leave a church I was attending. It was very hard because there were so many people there that I cared about. It certainly did hurt but, some things were just not right there. God bless
I tough it was just me. I felt God was telling me that its time to live a local towns chruch .One morning I was grocery shopping when I got done for some reason my car wouldn't turn which was stranged I never had this issue's . Next to Aldi theres a church next to Aldi. I went walking and something felt lije I had to attend that church. I tought to myself well wht not and service was straighting . I went inside that church and stay to listen sermons . It felt peaceful and strong holly spirit very kind pastor too. After service I went back to my car and out of no where my car started working just fine. I felt the Lord telling I must start attending there that is my hime church. The Lord is amazing ❤
Thanks for this video. I’ve actually been praying about leaving my current church for months. I won’t go into any details because I don’t wanna sound like I’m putting them down, but let’s just say that we’re not in a good place and we have been stagnating for a long time, and there’s no urgency for any change. This really hurts because I love my church and I grew so much in my current church, but I feel like I’m at the end of my rope. Please keep me in prayer as I weigh out my options, and keep my church in prayer as well.
Literally the one church I left a little over 2 years ago. It was hard to leave, but If I stayed longer and didn't listen to God, read the Bible and pray about pastoral voices to listen to, I would have stayed, wasted more time, and remained stuck spiritually, and I see that with people I knew there. Great people but the Lord was showing me a vision that superseded where I was in order to use me to grow elsewhere. It was needed.
@@abeekuadventures380 I’m so glad to hear that you stepped out in faith and obedience even when it was hard, and God has blessed you. Praise God! Right now I’m pretty much decided on what I’m gonna do, it’s just strategizing a plan on when and how to move forward.
reason 3 is the reason why me and husband want to leave our present church we are being blocked from expressing ourselves as if we are a threat or something
Thanks for the video allen .🙏❤️ Church is not about our own emotions but rather about fellowshipping with other brothers and sisters in Christ and serving THE ALMIGHTY TRIUNE SOVEREIGN GOD IN HEAVEN. By doing this together goes hand in hand what Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us all to do. Matthew 22:37-39 English Standard Version 37 And he said to him, (A)“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And (B)a second is like it: (C)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Great video Bro. Allen! This makes me think of something I heard, that your church may be only for a season. Sometimes, nothing is inherently bad about the people there, God just wants you somewhere else. All my prayers to those in this process of leaving a church. But I would encourage you to continue attending celebrations or city/region-wide Christian meetings during this period. This is a good way to maintain fellowship.
I left one church a few years ago because I didn’t feel very spiritually encouraged there. It had actually split my wife and kids though because they’re still very devoted to the church and don’t see the challenges or lack thereof I saw with it. As of now they go to one church and I go to another church where I feel so much happier and spiritually encouraged.
Such a timely topic. My family recently left our church after 15+ years and it has been one of the most difficult decisions we had to make but when the Lord speaks we must obey. Our prayer is that our relationships will remain in tact because we left the church but we're still part of the Body of Christ and that has been difficult for some to receive because they believe it is personal. Pastor Allen, you asked a question about different reasons to leave a church and I would like to learn a bit more on essentials vs non- essentials. You may have already discussed this in previous videos but a topic that I believe is important as we see so much division. Excellent topic! Thank you
Thank you for this Allen! I recently left my church of 13 years but couldn’t really articulate why. Just something didn’t seem right with the direction they we’re headed. After listening to this guidance I can see now there were at least 5 of these that were happening around me. Now on the search for another one. Sad face.
To everyone reading this, you will see the right hand of God in your home, business and health. God will restore everything the enemy has take from you. God will do something in your life which will change you forever. In Jesus name. Amen
Amen. God is doing that with me now after getting close to suicide due to abuse from my wife and daughters one of whom is a "pastor" at a Pentecostal church whose head pastor is also the President of the Pentecostal churches in Australia. Abusive, sick, false prophets.
What if God's plan for a person is not health and wealth? What if the plan is holiness and that requires things the world think are not good for us, but God knows they are. Check what Peter says about suffering...
God bless you, Allen for your simply stated, easily understood wisdom! I left a Pentecostal/Charismatic persuasion after being solidly entrenched for 32 years. No need to go into the many reasons, other than I KNEW the Holy Spirit was removing me out of a long time “comfort zone”. I am now in a Word preaching church--book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. God knew exactly what I needed to grow in my faith which had become stagnant due to trading worship for entertainment & preaching the solid Word for issue focused messages.
My church has about 25 - 30 people on average. And it's been that way for the last 2 -4 years. 98% of them are over the age of 75. We've got Sunday morning service and midweek Bible study. But outside of that there is literally nothing. I have a huge heart for Souls and I think that every single church without exception should be teaching evangelism at least to some degree. But my pastors teaching and preaching seems to be singularly focused on strengthening the Believers that presently attend the church without any desire for Church growth or soul-winning. As if his one & only message/s seem to be variations of " just hold on folks, just a little longer and we'll move on to Glory or Jesus Will return"! I so desperately want a church that does some kind of corporate prayer for the community and lost and actually doing some kind of community Street evangelism. At least once a month. My church has none of this and I feel so dissatisfied or grieved more times than not whenever I leave church. I'm concerned that I'm being judging or critical but I honestly don't think that's what the issue is. So I've stopped going for the last month and have found that I am growing much more in the confines of my own home. I Testify of Jesus and Witness all the time at my work but I really long for a group of people from my church to do some kind of evangelism with or at least corporate prayer for the Lost and because my church does not seem to have any desire to incorporate these things in our church, I feel like I go to a dead church. There is no passion at all! I feel like I'm doing something wrong though because the people there are very loving and the pastor really does care about the people. Any advice for me? I live in a very small town and there are no other churches in my area I can attend that preach the Bible with the accuracy that this pastor teaches with. But even with that I find his messages are great and full of Biblical history and exegesis but nothing you can apply to your daily thinking and life in a practical way. Just lots of information! Yet I still feel very disconnected from this church and even my pastor. I once even asked him if he could do a little teaching or give some advice on Soul winning. This was during one of our Bible studies during the week. His response to my request was that was really not in his job description. He chuckled and and thought it was funny that an evangelist was asking a pastor to teach out do evangelize. And then he explained that as a pastor, his job is to teach equip and strengthen his flock. I can't tell you how sad and heavy I felt when I left Bible study that night. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't part of equipping the saints, teaching them how to win souls and or evangelize? So Maybe because of the age of everybody in the church his messages and teaching seem to be only focused on helping everyone to just hold on a little longer. Grip that steering wheel as tight as you can, keep the faith & hold on for dear life till Jesus returns! He seems to be afraid of the church getting too big or maybe he doesn't feel adequate or worthy enough to have a growing church. All I know is that he seems to have a very outspoken negative opinion about big churches. This makes me feel that as long as he seems to have a chip on his shoulder for big churches, our church will never grow. Anyway, he seems to be a lovely man but I feel like he and I are on two totally different pages and visions. Am I being arrogant? Am I being selfish? Am I being deceived? Should I just continue to go to this church even though I feel so unsatisfied and or unfulfilled? I know that church shouldn't always be about me and sometimes God wants us places for the sake of others but I won't dare think of myself more highly than I ought to. I am no savior to anyone. I just love Jesus and I want others to fall in love with him too. And when it's all said and done I think that should be the Church's number one responsibility. As my pastor says his job is to make disciples. But I'm pretty sure making disciples includes reaching the lost ? Doesn't it? I know I wrote a lot but I'm really desperate for some advice that might correct me if I am absolutely missing it or confirm what the Lord might be leading me to next.
My church has about 25 - 30 people on average. And it's been that way for the last 2 -4 years. 98% of them are over the age of 75. We've got Sunday morning service and midweek Bible study. But outside of that there is literally nothing. I have a huge heart for Souls and I think that every single church without exception should be teaching evangelism at least to some degree. But my pastors teaching and preaching seems to be singularly focused on strengthening the Believers that presently attend the church without any desire for Church growth or soul-winning. As if his one & only message/s seem to be variations of " just hold on folks, just a little longer and we'll move on to Glory or Jesus Will return"! I so desperately want a church that does some kind of corporate prayer for the community and lost and actually doing some kind of community Street evangelism. At least once a month. My church has none of this and I feel so dissatisfied or grieved more times than not whenever I leave church. I'm concerned that I'm being judging or critical but I honestly don't think that's what the issue is. So I've stopped going for the last month and have found that I am growing much more in the confines of my own home. I Testify of Jesus and Witness all the time at my work but I really long for a group of people from my church to do some kind of evangelism with or at least corporate prayer for the Lost and because my church does not seem to have any desire to incorporate these things in our church, I feel like I go to a dead church. There is no passion at all! I feel like I'm doing something wrong though because the people there are very loving and the pastor really does care about the people. Any advice for me? I live in a very small town and there are no other churches in my area I can attend that preach the Bible with the accuracy that this pastor teaches with. But even with that I find his messages are great and full of Biblical history and exegesis but nothing you can apply to your daily thinking and life in a practical way. Just lots of information! Yet I still feel very disconnected from this church and even my pastor. I once even asked him if he could do a little teaching or give some advice on Soul winning. This was during one of our Bible studies during the week. His response to my request was that was really not in his job description. He chuckled and and thought it was funny that an evangelist was asking a pastor to teach out do evangelize. And then he explained that as a pastor, his job is to teach equip and strengthen his flock. I can't tell you how sad and heavy I felt when I left Bible study that night. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't part of equipping the saints, teaching them how to win souls and or evangelize? So Maybe because of the age of everybody in the church his messages and teaching seem to be only focused on helping everyone to just hold on a little longer. Grip that steering wheel as tight as you can, keep the faith & hold on for dear life till Jesus returns! He seems to be afraid of the church getting too big or maybe he doesn't feel adequate or worthy enough to have a growing church. All I know is that he seems to have a very outspoken negative opinion about big churches. This makes me feel that as long as he seems to have a chip on his shoulder for big churches, our church will never grow. Anyway, he seems to be a lovely man but I feel like he and I are on two totally different pages and visions. Am I being arrogant? Am I being selfish? Am I being deceived? Should I just continue to go to this church even though I feel so unsatisfied and or unfulfilled? I know that church shouldn't always be about me and sometimes God wants us places for the sake of others but I won't dare think of myself more highly than I ought to. I am no savior to anyone. I just love Jesus and I want others to fall in love with him too. And when it's all said and done I think that should be the Church's number one responsibility. As my pastor says his job is to make disciples. But I'm pretty sure making disciples includes reaching the lost ? Doesn't it? I know I wrote a lot but I'm really desperate for some advice that might correct me if I am absolutely missing it or confirm what the Lord might be leading me to next.
I had to leave a church because the Pastor noticed how much influence I was having on the congregation as a worship leader. Instead of seeing me as a brother in Christ, he saw me as a threat. He did a lot of things to attack me and my family personally and was manipulating scriptures to fit his agenda and make us feel uncomfortable. Looking back today as a more mature Christian I'm not sure if I made the right move to leave the Church since I've learned that God sometimes put us in difficult situations to build Christ-like character in us. Romans 8:28 comes to mind. At the end of the day because of these difficult experiences, I have become stronger in my faith and more dependent on his word. Look at the Church as an academy where we come together to Praise and Worship the living God but also where we also get to practice how to love the brethren. Love You all God bless.
Very thoughtful video. I've been struggling and praying about this for about a year now and there's still questions I'm looking for answers for. Stepping away from a leadership position was initially difficult at first, but it's actually been very freeing. I've also cut back on participating in certain activities. Before I stepped away I was finding so many things hindering my path it was a struggle and started having an effect on my health and attitude. That has all but disappeared. I'm trying to be patient and observe to see whether I will stay at this church I've attended for over a decade. Covid practices and a new pastor have really brought to light where some people's hearts are and mine doesn't necessarily align with theirs. I'm not alone either. There are many parts to the body of Christ, but I'm just not sure I'm where I'm best suited now.
I am currently watching church TV and looking for a good spirit filled, Bible believing church in my area. Please pray for me in my time of need Thank you and God bless 🙌
I have been contemplating this issue for quite awhile but there is very little subject that Christians both online and in person covers and maybe out of fear of consequences. Thanks Alan for being brave enough to cover this and you did it well.
I find this interesting that you talked about this topic but really appreciate it that you did. We left and it was all for Spiritual reasons. But it was not easy, cause we were a part of it for a decade and a half. I learned a lot and you talked about it all in the video. Lack of community was not a problem.... We have to be led by the Holy Spirit ❤️❤️
We have recently left a church. Nothing against the teaching . It was the covid policy saying that my 5 children weren't welcome due to social distance. We explain to the pastor and he understood our reasons. All he said was it was head stewards choice. However we left on Good terms. We have joined another church were my children are welcome to go. And are happy to go again. As a father my children spiritual journey is very important. Thanks God bless
Great topic. I am at Hillsong NYC and spritually I left the church for obvious reasons. I am checking out a few churches online. I love this church that just left the hillsong brand and I agreed his reason why. I loved his preaching and teaching. He is not perfect but do have the guts to preach the right thing.
Thank you bro for the timely message. It's very informative. I strongly feel that the holy spirit talked to me this morning through you. Your advices are on point. It's my prayer that the holy spirit will lead me to a Church that will take me to the next level. God bless you.
On point #3 one thing to also consider. Sometimes God wants us to serve first before moving to bigger things. If we go into a church with the attitude of servitude, God will promote you. If we go into a church just expecting the church leadership to allow us to do whatever we want to do without showing them that you are willing to serve the church even in the smallest ways, we will likely be disappointed.
1 Timothy 3 affirms this, by stating that overseers must not be new converts because they can become conceited, and that deacons must be tested first, and then be permitted to serve.
Sorry but this is just not always true. YES God will promote you but at times he might say go forth to another gathering of believers. Some might serve in a church for years and they'll turn around and promote family members. Not saying that's never the will of God but I don't believe it always is.
I stopped going to the building and start having church where two or three are gathered , and people think I’m crazy !😆 because I chose to live the way the disciples did back in the day . I’ve been in all sorts of churches and half of them is just a show, it’s hard to find the right one but I’m ok where God has me and my immediate family of brothers and sisters in Christ.
U did the right thing.Because Jesus said the true worshippers will worship God and spirit and true.our leader is Christ .the will understand one day. .stay blessed
@@natashajeanbatistedarcisse8940 yep and I’m not doing anything wrong to hurt anyone I believe God has everyone on different journeys and a church building is not where I’m called to be , right now it’s more focused on outreach , bringing church outside the four walls.
@@natashajeanbatistedarcisse8940 as long as you are growing and is being lead by the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel to all nations , who cares what a church say or anyone say, I’ve never felt more better in my life since Ive not attended church a building and it’s been great because it’s all about what your retaining and reading the word for yourself . I chose a different path doesn’t mean that I’m against . I just think that going there would be way different when it’s a smaller setting of two or three or maybe even 15 folks. Just my opinion
the Bible says where 2 or more are gathered as you stated. a lot of society has conditioned the Church to where you go on sunday as opposed to being the Church. Being the Church also means we go into environments like our workplaces, etc where we will encounter to don't know Jesus. But if we stay comfortable in our christian bubbles, we get too comfortable.
Pray God lifts the scales from the lukewarm and lost eyes, opens their ears and soften their hearts, pray for your brothers and sisters in the Lord in Jesus name
Hello Mr Allen Parr my name is Justin Hoyt and I have been watching your videos since 2020 and want to say Praise be to God that He allows you to get these videos out here for all of us and I know I have been blessed by watching your videos (explaining certain situations that we as people deal with each day in life) it has been great help that God has brought me here to listen and understand things He needs me to learn. Praise be to God and thank you Mr Allen Parr for being bold and doing God's will sir God Bless!!
Thank you for this video - it has helped me find clarity in making a decision. I have been struggling with this issue since our former Pastor retired. I have major misgivings about the direction the new Pastor is taking the church.
We left a small church a long time ago after pouring 15 years of serving in small groups, leadership, and worship team. The church never grew to any extent and the pastor kept changing directions trying so hard to keep up with current movements. Over the years people would come and go way too frequently. We just couldn't hang on to quality people. We recently heard the church has dwindled to a very small group of people and barely surviving. Sad.
At least your pastor tried! I was in one where as good as he is, don't think he's taken much sabbatical. He has been the lead pastor since 2004 until today. His messages have gotten more stale .
Thank you as always Bro. Allen for giving us good things to think about! I feel the Lord pulling me away from the church where I’ve grown up. I’d appreciate your prayers. It will be a painful decision, yet exciting bc I believe He’s doing something new! One going away tip I’d give is to make sure you inform someone in leadership you can trust that you’re leaving. Of course, if the issue is with leadership, you may not have that opportunity. However, if the Lord is just sending you...please speak to your leadership, ESPECIALLY if you are involved in ministries. God bless you all!
I am experiencing the same pain when it comes to leaving my church and I’ve been attending since I was 3 days old. I was emotional all week, but God assured me I am doing the right thing. I haven’t officially left yet due to an obligation to an office within the church that I have to finish fulfilling my oath to God. I don’t attend on Sundays, but I do watch sermons, I read my Bible and I pray. God has not left me and I know He’s going to be with me every step of the way. As a matter of fact, God is orchestrating every movement and giving me instructions on what I should do. I pray if anyone is going through a similar situation find peace and never disconnect from God.
I just told my leader that I made the decision to leave. This was very tough as I was trying to be careful with what I said, knowing that they wouldn't understand. Or that they would take offense. Thank God there's different platforms to help with our development.
I come from a oneness apostolic pentecostal church and I was on the praise team and still felt like I wasn't really needed. Lots of legalistic rules and I'm having to unlearn some things and re evaluate myself. It's been eye opening
I myself left a Pentecostal church because after really studying the Bible God opened my eyes and showed me the truth about what speaking in tongues is about and it is way off from what we have been taught! Tongues simply means languages and they were used to spread the gospel in Acts, but it’s not evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. It just happened that they received it and spoke in languages of other nations they did not know but there were always people there to understand what they were saying. Paul talks a lot about the gift of tongues in Corinthians and it’s not babbling like people do today. God is not the author of confusion. Just thought I would share that incase you haven’t learned that yet. There’s so much more. I am having to relearn so much too!
What do you do when you're so happy to see your pastor out in public and you go to greet him and he acts distant and not as warm as he does when hes on that stage? Almost as if you were bugging him or you're not up to par for him personally. All you were doing is trying to say Hi and thank you and that is the truth and it's happened more than once and since before lock Downs in 2020 I stopped attending my own church.
This video has been very helpful as my husband and I have been navigating a move to another local church. I love the focus on accountability for the individual(s) considering leaving a community. Our actions have far-reaching consequences, so it is very important to seek God in prayer and- as Allen exhorts- to "check your motives!". We have finally made the difficult decision to move due to differences in church vision and theology. This has been especially difficult because (1) we have great community within this local body, (2) our church leaders are excellent and certainly are not abusing power, and (3) both sheep and shepherds are accountable to one another and are encouraging one another to live holy lives. Again- one of the most painful decisions I've had to make to date. Thank you for this video!
I never thought I'd get to a place where I'd think of leaving a church. Never. But this has come up to me like never before. I'm examining myself to see if perhaps I'm the problem, because I was never like this, as this thought of leaving this current church I'm in makes me feel I'm being rebellious. I left another church I'm coming of which I served there for 8 years because I changed location due to work. Now the current church that I'm in is the one I want to leave. Ever since I started attending there I was never free and I was always at odds with the pastor. We don't see eye to eye. I really don't like this feeling, because I'm a person who love peace.
I am really struggling myself in this way too. I am on the worship team and I went to the leader (who is new to our church) and just shared how some things she did upset me and and that I had a comment on some of the songs she was choosing. I even made it clear that I was not trying to tell her what to do, just giving my two cents because we are a team and we should be talking about our concerns and ideas. Well, the conversation went really sour really quick. Instead of hearing my heart, she went into a full power trip and told me I was rebellious and made very clear that SHE was the boss and we were going to do what she wanted period. I very much felt like I went to her looking for us to work together to find the best way forward, and she just came at me like she just was not interested in anything I said. She just wanted it clear that she was on a plane I would never reach and that was that. I am very hurt over the whole ordeal. I've decided that I can't serve with a leader who has so much pride in their heart. It was like nothing I've ever encountered before, and I've seen some church drama in my lifetime. I'm now feeling like I will never be able to have real conversations with these people because it's not allowed, and will not be heard. Any conversation hereafter just seems like I'll be scolded for having a problem with "authority" and I have never had any issue being compliant. This is literally the first time I've ever spoken up and I did it privately, as we are supposed to do. If I can't go to my leader and have a real conversation with them, then why are any of us even there? I don't want to go, but I just can't get over how arrogant and unwilling this person was to hear anything I was expressing. She didn't seem to care how her actions affect others. I have an issue with that. The whole interactions was just off the charts unreal to me.
@@crysmarie6684 sorry for what happened to you there in your church. I think you should speak with the pastor of your church and let him/her know about what happened. Surely there'll be a solution to resolve that problem and they will surely rebuke the worship team leader for what she did. Pray about it by taking it to the Lord and then to your pastor.
@@Dino-ns9jx That is why we’re leaving…it was the Pastor’s wife. I met with them to discuss my feelings/concerns. I feel like I was attacked instead of heard and I was very misunderstood. I tried to explain my heart and even apologized again and again for how awkward the whole conversation was and tried to be clear that I wasn’t trying to hurt feelings or tell anyone what to do. I was just trying to express my own hurt and hoping to work with them towards a solution. It didn’t turn into a productive conversation. I left feeling like I would not be allowed to have feelings or ideas ever again. I feel like it was made clear that there will be no friendship here. They are superior and it is inappropriate to talk to her about her decisions at all because she straight up isn’t interested in being “challenged.” It was a challenge to her “authority” that I had dared to make a suggestion and speak to her about something she did that hurt several people. She was unwilling to give even an ounce of understanding or reflection about what I shared with her. When someone like this doesn’t care they hurt people, I have a problem with that. We are on a “team” and being as such we should be able to talk to each other. She disagrees. I don’t know how to continue serving with her. I don’t feel like I can. We are a little too different for me on issues I feel are important.
@@crysmarie6684 I hear you. That's why I advise you to speak to God and ask Him what to do in this situation. Perhaps He's training you. I haven't left my church yet as I'm waiting on the LORD
Hi bro Allen, my wife and I recently left a church we had been at for 21 years. Our gift was music, she played piano and I played drums. I won’t go into details but the music Director stated playing video music to sing along with vs. us playing music. We met with both pastor and music director explaining we are called to music ministry and with due respect can not stay to support the video ministry. We left in good spirits and have found a church where we can use our gifts.
This is a good video on this issue. Because a lot of churches can be biblical, honest, and have a lot of good traits while also being toxic. I liked that he went beyond the blatantly obvious signs.
Thank you God for this video. Please make your perfect will for my family known. Please lead our feet into a new place where we can grow and help others
Thank you brother ,my daughter is looking for a different church to fellowship at I would share this with her Blessings to you and your family, and be fruitful in the ministry God has placed in your care
This is really good information. I think I have watched it several times because everytime I consider leaving my church I always look for valid reasons as to why I should leave. I have had several of these things happen at the church I currently attend. I think the main reason I haven't left is because I want to leave the right way and not because I disagree with so much that goes on.
Meaningful relationships? What meaningful relationships? I've been going to this church for over 10 years. Number of friends I have...zero. Nobody has ever cared about me, or cared to help me or counsel me, despite all my cries for help. I thought a church was supposed to HELP. 😪
I understand how you feel. I've had struggles finding a congregation I can relate to and where I feel cared for. For me, I believe it's simply that I'm in the wrong community (city). With some thought, I believe you can figure out the source of your trouble.
1. Moving home and your church is now too far away [or] finding a new church that seems ok, but isn't close enough to feel comfortably like a church home because they serve a local community that you aren't part of, where you live. The latter is fine if there is no where closer that is suitable, otherwise not. Best to serve your local community church if all other boxes are ticked. 2. New Pastor introducing new theology into the church that wasn't there before. 3. Community isn't alive in Christ. Most members are just Sunday habitual attendees and not committed to bible study and theological advancement, serving, fellowshipping, mutual support. Or they treat church like a social group and barely discuss anything church related, or pay lip service to it to authenticate a secular group gathering comprising of worldly chit chat and little else. 4. Community body composition doesn't resemble the make up of the local community as well as it could do - so you feel uncomfortable / out of place / ill fitting. 5. Legalism. Controlling leaders who try to run your life in an unbiblical way, are intrusive into your private affairs. 6. Churches that are always tapping you for money and making you feel guilty if you aren't contributing enough, even when you have a good reason. E.g., lost a job, retired on state pension, etc.
Introducing new theology is one i see often since weeks or months ago and is just bad! My knowledge of the bible is shunned after studying over 35 years as if its now obsolete to the people who are not being good doctrine. I am hushed if i try to share knowledge harmlessly where i am. They want it so my knowledge is replaced with their off kilter doctrinal ideas AND THEY want the sheep to stay babies.
This was amazing!!! Biblically sound.. just wonderful. Thank you. It's my last Sunday at church this weekend and it's because of abuse of power after I reported being sexually harassed and touched multiple times by one of the leaders in the church. Since then, I've been shunned and ignored by my pastor and violations of code of conduct have no consequences
There is a fundamental problem with how many churches are run that encourages unapproachable leadership and program driven, corporate business-like operations rather than a simple body of believers. This also makes it very hard to be under the authority of the leadership.
Please pray for me work wise. Pray over my current job and whether I should quit. Pray over a replacement job that also allows me attendant and serve at my church on Sunday Mornings
Thank you brother Paul this has really helped me I pray that God blessings may continue to be with you and that you may help others as well I'm truly grateful that I found this message praise God
Most swept under the rug in so called family-churches; seen it for what it is and left so that I could grow. Not a bad experience for me, leadership was still in growing stages. Doing well now (as a whole).
A common problem in today's churches is the seeker sensitive approach, their methods of trying to attract the world have gone too far to the point of turning the church into a night club, that's one example 😀
Thanks so much for this video. I served at a church for many years until the minister retired. I sunk a 3 years into a new one before becoming a member and then left due to poor treatment. Between mourning my old church and the trauma of the new, I am really having trouble finding something new. I am not jaded. Just do not want to go through all that again.
This is an on time message. I left the church I attended for 20 something years, because I wasn't in agreement of what was being taught and preached. At the beginning the word of GOD was being preached, but during the area of Trump, division came, and it seemed like Trump was being preached more than the word of GOD.
Because you're one of Jesus shippe your heard his voice that's the reason you're out....remember the real shippers doesn't go to church the holy spirit lead them .stay blessed
Sometimes when it comes to the cliques and the way people treat others differently in the church. You can see right through those people. Whether that means reaching out to the pastor with a question about the word, and just having your message Left on read and not replied to years later but see them everyday in the church, And that is what prevents me from going to the church that my parents attend these days. Is anyone else going through these things? Like someone is jealous of them in the church. Especially the younger people when you share your anointing and testimony in their lives, and then they're behavior towards you changes. Etc Can someone encourage me from their point of view and experiences regarding this?
Wouldn't be surprised if I get this at my church. I feel like that's everywhere sadly. There are all kinds of people in the Church. What I've learned to do when I have conversations with people is to observe them first and then see who I want to connect with and who I don't want to connect with. We can love everyone, but we don't have to be friends with everyone. That's impossible and also dependant on my walk with God.
I recently left the church of England and found a family based church. I didn't like the route the CofE was going with regards to the family. It saddened me but I'd rather put my time and energy into a church that relates to my beliefs.
On your last point here...you mention not saying anything about your previous church or pastor. I think this holds if it isn't a serious issue. But. If staying quiet means that other people will fall into difficulty at a dangerous church then you should probably not stay quiet about it. I hear Alan speak with truth and love about concerns he has over false teachers to educate and expose bad or corrupt teaching. So I think it is sometimes right not to be silent.
One Church, one body in Christ. If we are truly going to church (the building) to have a personal relationship with God, the Pastor is teaching sound doctrine from the Bible, your spirit is being filled with " living water", and you're being obedient unto God the best way you know how, then ultimately God will tell you when to leave. But if your motives are to uplift self then you always find fault in a church. Before you make a decision to leave a church consult with God first, HE will give an answer on rather to leave or not. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. SEEK GOD SINCERELY WITH YOUR HEART
Thank you for this video Pastor Allen! Right on time. We have had some concerns about a primary doctrinal error. We love our church community so this is hurtful to think this may be where God is leading us. I keep thinking I can brush it off but I feel I am not being true to the truth of Gods Word for the sake of comfort. We are continuing to pray for the Lord's wisdom and guidance. Thank you!
I'm also in the same boat too. It's a very hard decision. My issue would be considered a secondary issue. But to me it's a primary issue. Who decides whether it's a primary or secondary issue if in one's mind the reason is clearly unbiblical? Much prayers needed. God bless U Brother Parr & bless every commentator here too.
I know Heb 10:25 tells us we should be part of a church, but Catholic or Protestant? then which denomination? I enjoy a personal relationship with the Divine through Jesus and I'm constantly empowered by the Holy Spirit. Some years ago I asked the Holy Spirit to help me discern what I should do in the Service of the Divine and I was sent the Guidelines of Problacism, which I've now put on-line for everyone to see. Rather than go to any church on Sundays I walk in nature and always pick-up everyone else's litter they have dropped. It's my continual act of humility and gratitude, but I know many Christians feel that this simple act is 'beneath' them.
I was a member of my church since 2006 but I was the musician since 1995 I left in June of 2021 I felt I was not growing I just felt stuck the church through our the years has lost so many people so before I left I been praying and telling God that that I wanted to be in a place where I can truly be taught the word and I wanted to be in a place that was not too big so I found a church I connected with them on Easter of this year I learned so many things especially about baptism and baptism in the holy spirit I'm attempting Bible study I really love this place the place I left don't get me wrong I don't knock denomination but I was an AME and they really were only about collecting money and not about souls I was tired of it
At a church I was at, some time ago, I, and other musicians, experienced our gifts being taken advantage of. The demands of the music ministry were unreasonably overwhelming. Also, I saw youth engaged in illegal activity (selling bootleg CDs). Not only did the parents condone it, but the pastor knew about it, and I did not see an end to the activity. And speaking of the pastor, he became a bishop. While I still love and respect him, individually, I have serious issues with the whole bishop phenomena, as an institution.
Thats usually how it starts. People in ministry in my experience in denominational Churches were more interested in how I could serve, but not actually take the time to get to know me. Its why the statistics for pastors are crazy high in a lot of areas. one of them being that over 80% of them don't have close friends. Not to judge them, but there is a lot of hurt that many have displayed on others that really cause people to struggle with their faith. So its like "Come as you are" becomes more of a slogan but isn't really demonstrated, or like in the one church I attended, their messages were great but if you needed any kind of care like in one case i was told to 'contact my small group' when I specifically wanted a pastor to pray for me. When serving, I've placed boundaries and taken time to observe because in some cases, its almost better to use your giftings outside the Church if people in Church ministry don't even want to take the time to get to know you.
I have felt for sometime that it is time to leave after being at a church on and off for about 30 years ( started at a young age). What the church once was is no longer. I dont see healing, miracles, prophecy, tongues or interpretation, no deliverance. Just a 3 to 4 hour service of praise and worship, basic messages and teachings of the bible and so forth. Now a new pastor has been appointed and even more question marks if the decision was really confirmed by God. Please pray for me as ive outgrown this church and feel irritated when I attend. It should not be that way. The congregation is alot less now and mainly consist of elderly people (alot has passed away already) we dont have a youth anymore
We moved on. There were many indications but the most important was the church got so big (2000+) you had to make appointment with the minister's secretary to speak to him about doctrine. You could not just walk up to the guy after the service or in the parking lot. He was like a SUPER STAR. We left after 30 years of going there.
I was scrolling looking for a particular vid and came across yours. I am glad I took time to listen and witness your divinely and seamless laid out description and guidance for understanding and knowing your place relevance and purpose at the church you attend wether you should remain and continue or move on. Your council is great vitamins for proper spiritual growth attainment God bless you were taught well!!
I think that being born again and filled with the Spirit and then abiding in His will and letting the Holy Spirit tell you when to leave is what we must do. Lean not in your own understanding…..sometimes God has us stay and pray.
that, but there are times where he has people leave too. I know friends and families that have stayed at Churches, but I also know others that have left too. Its all dependent on what the Holy spirit reveals to a person.
Great video. I've been praying about leaving the church I've attended for more than 4 years now, for most of the reasons mentioned. Thanks for confirming. I think its time to go.
Tnk you for this msg I had doubts if i was wrong aboit the reason s for leaving my cousins church. I felt bad but you just made my day😆😃tnk you JESUS i knew i was right! AMEN ❤️ now i can let go of this feeling! A💙 M 💙 E 💙 N
I have been struggling lately with the church I attend. They choose to sing Hillsong and Bethel often and it really makes my stomach turn. The preaching is typically solid and it is a very God centered message as a standard. My issue is that the songs we sing are from those churches whose doctrine is not just bad but wrong and heretical. I find myself praying instead of singing more often than not.
Something I learned from apologetics is truth is truth no matter who speaks it. Let me ask you, if Hillsong or Bethel sang Rock of Ages or Old Rugged Cross would you refuse to sing them again? While I agree many of their doctrines are heresy, not all of the music contains that. Some are glorifying God. If you are in a good sound church, your worship leaders should already be discerning which songs contain false doctrines. But if you question it, review in for yourself and bring your concerns to your leadership. They may be unaware. Allen has also done some excellent reviews on the content of worship songs in some of his other videos!!
@@nikki-odette2190 Yeah I get that they sing songs that aren't theirs. I suppose you could say it is the principle of the matter. Songs like Reckless Love just really are hard for me to listen to. Certainly can't sing it.
@@nikki-odette2190 That;s the attitude of most pastors and elders. If the words are OK, the song is OK. I disagree.They pay royalties to these mega-dens of Satan and this supports the outreaches they do, to lure in the lost and lead them to Hell. Should we partake in that - however inadvertently - and claim to still be worshipping God? It is almost impossible to find a church that doesn't play this music. I mentioned it to my new Elders when I recently joined when just after a peach about false teachers and wolves they played a Bethel song. They haven't agreed to a policy change, but they do play it very infrequently. I'm not sure if that was down to my alert or whether it wasn't played much anyway. I have heard five Bethel and Hillsong tunes in eight weeks of attendance. Oddly enough these tunes are favourites of mine - but that is hardly the point!
@@nikki-odette2190 sorry BUT i just CANNOT consume my Salad AFTER realizing that a "FLY" is in it:( You would NOT partake of a BROWNIE- if there was a little bit of POOP in it, Right?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
I’ve been thinking about this too pray for me it’s very difficult it’s like a breakup that you don’t want to do but you got think about your well being and how you feel spiritually.
My wife and I are at odds over this issue. I feel the need to leave my church (it's a Pentecostal type church) because I believe they are missapplying the spiritual gifts/speaking in tounges etc. My wife actually agrees with me on doctrine, but has grown up in this church and has close bonds with the pastor and other members. We now have 3 kids that I want to raise in a doctrine sound church. We are at odds on how to move forward. It's a frustrating subject for us right now 😥.
Does your wife respect that you have been chosen by God as the head of the household according to Scripture? And obviously, in NO WAY, does that mean to lord that over her or not take into account her feelings on the matter and respect her. But if your reasons are sound, and wanting correct doctrine for your children sounds wise and reflects what the Bible teaches, you may have to step forward and lead your family in this matter. Again, not in any kind of way that would dishonor God or hurt your wife/relationship or the church you've been attending. Pray about it, see what JESUS wants you to do and then follow Him. Peace of Christ.
Just a thought, but in case you have not seen the American Gospel: Christ Alone film, I would encourage you to watch it with your wife, might help her gain some discernment and understand where you are coming from.
If you know that speaking in tongues is not of God today, then you are dangerously putting your family in danger. Besides, Matthew 24:15, 1stPeter 4:17 and 2ndThesalonions 2-1-12 tells we ought not be there if you are saved.
Yea my personal advice is definitely to move on from there. I grew up in a pentecostal church, i had much walked away from the God and the church when i was 17 . And when i came back to church after coming to the knowledge and Truth of Jesus Christ 5 yrs later. I ignorantly proceeded to attend the same churches. And come find most these people don't understand scripture at all but rather twist it. And what ive seen a lot is name it claim it preaching. Beware the leaven of the pharisees as it is written. I just recently started to attend a presbyterian church, much more orderly. If the church is acting like the world, go to a different one. Church should be trying to be like heaven. Im just not with this whole "letting the spirit have its way" stuff. We serve a God of order. I believe in baptism of the Holy Ghost but these pentacostal churches be completely out of line and even uneducated about Holy Spirit they claim to speak of. We must understand the person of the Holy Spirit and His role. Hes not just some magic ghost going around possessing people to speak tongues or a short word through someone, which is what i grew up thinking.
@@zakkraines1296 The verses I gave you are for all corporate churches across the board across this planet. There is one true church that consist of all true belivers scattered around the globe individually. Please read the verses.
I've been thinking of leaving my church since childhood. Our pastor is a prosperity gospel preacher; I'm not able to use my gift in the church because of many rules such as sowing at least 5 choir uniforms per year. It's kinda costly. Their is not a sought of freedom in worship. Please remember me in your prayers concerning this matter 🙏🏽!
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Community is so important. After being at a church for almost 2 years the pastor has probably only spoken 4 words to my husband and I. We did join a small group of married folks our age and they were very clique like and it was disheartening because the student pastor and his wife were the ones leading it and they allowed the cliques to continue. Even when we brought it up as a concern we were just told "yall need to find your people". Today is day one at a new church we are trying out. Pray that we find community and encouragement.
You need to find your people!!?? Mate! That was a private group of friends, posing as a church group! I had the same thing with a ladies bible study. Suddenly they didnt know when their next meeting was. Until i eventually stopped asking.
I had done nothing wrong. No one accused me of anything. I complained to the minister's wife and she took their side, without even explaining what it was! She defended them lying to me and shutting me out, but did not tell me why! So how could i fix it? What could i apologise for?
All they achieved was to lose my trust in any integrity they may have had. Was that worth it? Was God impressed?
I am over the ...... Fill in the blank. of small minded cliques.
Amen
How were you serving the church, and in what areas were you using your talents and abilities? Were you not allowed to start your own small groups? Respectfully, people who do serve the church manage to build amazing relationships. Become active.
@@Nochill764 you are very wrong here. Not everybody who cannot establish amazing relationships is the problem. There are very definitely Church cliques, and bad churches. They may preach the truth but live a totally different lifestyle and yes that can happen at a church. Churches have started there have been unhealthy churches.
To the original poster I would say it's time to move on. Find a church that truly does love others and is not just a community club which of the church is as you described that's exactly what they've become.
There is a term used in a book called family chapels. What happens is when people are in a church for a long time they tend to take ownership of the church, and they have their will as the driving force not God's will.
My church is a clique church and lots of favoritism. I bring ideas and they ignore me. I have been a member for over 25 years. I don't want to say much on social media. I am on my 9th Pastor, which makes me uncomfortable. The Pastors are interim Pastors. I pray I could have a conversation with my Pastor, Please keep me in prayer. Thank you,
Had to leave my last church because the pastor had embarrassed me more than once. This hits worse because I am on the spectrum and it was done in a very harsh way that felt really targeted. I moved to a new church and I'm getting along great with everyone and the leaders are super kind just because we all love the Lord so much and we all just want to chat away about him. They actually have a worship service instead of mainly taking coffee breaks and singing the same overly upbeat music. If you feel like your current church is getting too lukewarm or the environment is not good, don't always blame yourself or even think you're just a defective Christian. Get your fire burning again with the right church!
Also please no replies about me having a demon inside me just because I'm on the spectrum, I have taken this to God and he has taken me through understanding why I am this way. He has blessed me supernaturally with wonderful talents, I just have a few quirks. God doesn't hate or ignore people on the spectrum, in fact it really does allow me to be way more close to him because of it.
What does being on the spectrum mean my dear?
I am glad You Found a Good, Healthy and Biblical Church that will help You on Your Walk. I have Yet to Find One for Me (looking at Reformed (4 or 5 Point "Calvinist") Low Anglican however) . I am on the Autism Spectrum as well. Do take Care Sister. Love, Blessings and Peace :)
@@raquelwilson9190 and @spicy gal.
It means She has Autism. Like Myself.
It should also be noted, that, although I note that "The Chosen" has become very Controversial in Evangelical Circles lately due to the Involvement of a Known Cult in its Production :( , its evangelical Scriptwriter may have Possibly hit on a Truth by Portraying Saint Matthew as being Autistic, if we look at Saint Matthew's Gospel, it is *very* Logical, being ordered into 5 Distinct "Blocks" to Reflect the 5 Books of Moses (the Torah) , shows intense Memory for Details and for Parables, but also has very limited Social Nuance, it is, to put it plainly, as Subtle as a Sledgehammer, it does strike Me, Personally, as Possibly being the product of the Guidance of the Holy Ghost being interpreted by an Autistic Mind, Even Got Questions Points out that it is Plausible that Saint Matthew may have been Autistic.
Christ, indeed, most certainly does not ignore People on the spectrum, as He may well have had a Disciple on it! It is Plausible according to Got Questions.
To back Up Our Sisters Request on No "Demon" Comments:
It is a Sad Fact that Many People, Especially in Pentecostal /New Age Circles, believe that those with Disabilities are Demon Possessed as they are a Punishment for Sin, this however, as Revealed in Saint John Chapter 9, is a *Lie of the Pharisees* .
The Gospel according to Saint John Chapter 9 Verse 34 - King James Version: "They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out"
It is also Revealed in Saint John Chapter 9, that those with Disabilities are actually Created for God's Glory, so His Good Works can be made manifest through us.
The Gospel according to Saint John Chapter 9 Verses 1 to 3 - King James Version: "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
So any Church that teaches that Disabilities are Demonic Possession, or are a Punishment for Sin is *Not* a Healthy Church as they are teaching *unbiblically* and needs to be Left as Fast as Possible , our Sister did the Right thing there!
I hope that Helps You Both , love Blessings and Peace.
By spectrum do you mean asd? I have aspergers.
@@WaynoGur yeah
When "leadership" gets joy out of belittling and embarrassing you and hiding behind the pulpit to do so, that is a key indicator that it's time to jet.
Gaslighting leadership seems to be the norm in a toxic environment.
@@LetthemtalkhesI agree
That's toxic preaching. If the pastor is using the pulpit to verbally target you. Many times in this situation they won't confront you privately about a particular sin they believe you committed in love (to restore you to fellowship). Unfortunately this is happening more and more in the church today. This also can lead to serious gossiping which can destroy a brother or sister in Christ's testimony.
There may come a time when you need to leave a church because you've outgrown that church. The church of my youth was the one where I heard the Lord's call to go into the ministry. However, It wasn't the church I would stay at when I began to get my BA in Religion. I eventually changed churches because I had outgrown the church of my youth.. Not every church is at the same level and has the same purpose. Some churches are evangelistic and catered to fostering the young in christ. Others are better suited towards aiding the family unit. Some churches are best suited for spiritual growth and maturity. So when you reach a new stage in your spiritual growth, you may find the need to change churches.
I have my own 4 Signs when to leave:
-One time is fine, but if your Pastor gets gets debunked
by Atheist-UA-camrs multiple times, its time to leave asap.
-If your Pastor is part of a Hategroup, for example Christianity,
a tyrannical group that amantes LGBT-Hate and even just hate-in-General
in WAVES, then its time to leave.
-Same thing for Science-Denial. Same what i just said.
HEY, LITTLE QUESTION: What Groups do you think are the Main-Sourcs today that emanate and support and endorse and spread Science-Denial? Right, its Christianity.
-Herbs Selling? Leave!
I agree
Are we suppose go to church to receive? The main reason is to serve and give. Leaving the church for that reason is a sign of expectation of receiving not being met. When it comes to church; it's not about me; it's not about you; it's all about Him. That is not a good reason to leave the church; it will give you an excuse to see that in every church; also if you're at a higher maturity than perhaps you're still there to feed His sheep; to whom much is given much is required. Most of all it's not biblical. The difference is in this video the reasons to leave he gives biblical reasons.
This is what i’ve been feeling lately. That i’ve outgrown the church a bit but then I feel bad cause i’m like “am I just being arrogant?” I have been to another church and it’s def. giving me more of what i’d like in terms of spiritual maturity and truth.
@@OjukwuIsaac Sorry, but I just now saw your comment. Receiving is also a part of going to church: receiving the blessings of fellowship, receiving instruction on the Word of God, receiving the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There does come a time when a Christian needs to move on because of outgrowing the church they've been attending. Jesus alludes to this when he returns to Nazareth, and the people reject his message because they only saw him as "The Carpenter's Son". Jesus tells his disciples, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own home." In other words, as you mature in the faith, you'll have to go somewhere that will allow you and help you grow and mature in Christ.
Appreciate how you not only give reasons why we should consider leaving but also ask questions to question our hearts/motives and keep us humble in the process.
💯
@@yongBane True
I’ve been thinking about leaving my current church. Please pray for me.
Same here. It’s so tough. It feels like a break up. I’ll be praying.
if you dont mind sharing...what are the reasons? Where will you go to next?
Me too, In some points I feel disappointed 😔 But I love these people. It’s hard
@@willmallory9085 right now I’m just praying and want to be Obedient to whatever God wants me to do. There’s a long list of reasons why I want to go. Not sure where to begin. But, I also won’t leave until God confirms that it’s time. I haven’t gotten that answer yet. One of those is that my husband isn’t ready to go. And I don’t want our home to be divided in this area. So I keep praying and reading scripture. On Friday I’ll be starting a fast with a few other believers and will keep serving and tithing in the meantime.
🙏
We just recently left our church after being there for almost five years as my husband didn’t agree with the doctrine. As he started to notice different things the Lord was working on me as well that it was time to leave. It was a challenge but we are now in a church with proper doctrine.
The real doctrine is our saviour Christ he said the true worshippers will worship God and spirit and true continue to study your bible and good meditation the holy spirit will open your eyes . remenber u only have 1 saviour 1 pastor His name is Jesus Christ ...stay blessed help your husband with your spiritual knowledge...may the holy spirit continue to help you. all of them are the same❤
@@natashajeanbatistedarcisse8940 I have my own 4 Signs when to leave:
-One time is fine, but if your Pastor gets gets debunked
by Atheist-UA-camrs multiple times, its time to leave asap.
-If your Pastor is part of a Hategroup, for example Christianity,
a tyrannical group that amantes LGBT-Hate and even just hate-in-General
in WAVES, then its time to leave.
-Same thing for Science-Denial. Same what i just said.
HEY, LITTLE QUESTION: What Groups do you think are the Main-Sourcs
today that emanate and support and endorse and spread
Science-Denial? Right, its Christianity.
-Herbs Selling? Leave!
Same here I cried and grieved me leaving my church but they started having people speak who were not of God. The Lord gave me the okay to leave
Stifled? Yes, very much. I go out to lead worship at conferences and other churches, but my own church seems profoundly uninterested in what I have to offer.😩
I literally feel EXACTLY the same way!
I feel you brother. Dealing with similar issues.
Pray about it and Trust God will make a way
Exactly!
We’re often despised amongst our own… sad but true
The hardest part is leaving a church and not wanting to ask everyone else there if they’ve experienced the same issues or see the same things. How do you find a balance between warning others but not wanting to partake in something that may come off as slander or gossip? At this point, I’m just placing my trust in God that He will show others as He sees fit. I just get concerned for the other sheep who may not notice what’s happening.
This is so hard. I tried that and lost all friends I had back there. It is better to leave quietly and move on.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20
I think you did the right thing, people that are seeking God with there hearts will be led by the Spirit in GOD'S time, not man's time.
This really is the hardest part.
If its a leadership issue (which is where i find this the primary problem) then how does one do church discipline? That is where im with you on this one.
especially if the others in the church, either wont talk about it, or believe it, and/or the leadership wont listen.
and in my case, you find out later, others have similar grievances, after-the-fact... Its wierd.
I think it depends. If there is overt unbiblical teaching happening, or if you know of abuse happening, I think warning others is okay. I think it gets tricky when it’s more of a disagreement on doctrine or the church is run in a way you disagree with, but wouldn’t necessarily be considered anti biblical. I think it just comes down to how sure you are that people are being led astray.
I just left my church. People can see what's going on there but they'd rather make excuses and minimize things. I can't help them. I can only protect me.
This really blessed me, I just left my church home because of unhappiness, I feel blessed by my decisions. Thank you for blessing me this morning.🙏🏽❤️
Now that you've left your church, can I encourage you to pray specifically for God to lead your direction in finding a new church? I left a church about 3 years ago after suffering spiritual abuse. I was ready to give up on attending any church. I took my burdens to the Lord and prayed specifically. One of my prayers was to find loving christian female friends and a friend that played an unusual instrument that I was trying to learn. Long story short. God Iead me to a loving church filled with sincere loving people(I have plenty of sincere sisters in Christ) and the Pastors wife plays the very instrument I was learning. In fact my new church had EVERY detailed prayer request that I'd asked for. Only God can do that! 👏👏Please pray specifically without ceasing. God will answer your prayers. ❤
You left your church based off of emotions?
@@josephb.konsdorf8264 I mean considering that people seem to be very emotional in the world, it’s not too hard to see that happening.
You left cause you were unhappy so if you are in are relationship and you feel unhappy you leave so how many relationships have you left lol feelings emotions are fickle no church is perfect just like no relationship is perfect think about it
@@jamesburroughs7248 When I asked God for change in my life he started removing people out of my life. The sad part about it, it be many Hypocrites in the church, it was hard making that Decision because I search so long for a church home, I was there for One year, But when I open up and started telling the church about how God show me visions and dreams that’s when things got nasty And people begun to be jealous and started to treat me bad. Yes I was unhappy for the way that I was treated I ask God to forgive those people and I move on because God told me to. I was brief when I made that first comment. This Video was just confirmation. Blessings to you.
This has encouraged me, I'm not having any problems with my church but it's helped me understand how my transgressions can cause division and perhaps cause one of the brethren to stumble if I don't correct it. Thanks Bro. Allen
Hi Stacey! Girl how many times does God have to tell you this is not good for you before you give it up completely?! Lol
"5/30/11 From The Lord, Our God and Savior
The Word of The Lord Spoken to Timothy
For The Lord’s Little Flock, and For All Those Who Have Ears to Hear
Thus says The Lord: I have bestowed many gifts upon this generation, and lo, the small of My flock have received knowledge and revelation beyond compare. Yet I ask you, who has truly received? Who has been humbled by My words and given thanks? Who among all these scattered flocks has taken joy in My gifts? Beloved, who among this great multitude seeks out My will, to know it? And who, among all these so-called believers, takes pleasure in My Law, saying, “I delight to do Your will, O God, for Your Law is written in my heart”?[1]
Yet My people remain foolish, and this little flock envious. For I tell you the truth: Unrighteous jealousy is the companion of fools. For those who envy also grab hold of jealousy, walking hand in hand with covetousness. Beloved, there is but One who sees, One who knows, only One who searches the hearts and minds - I AM HE. How is it then that My people sit in judgment, judging My Word and My will, resisting My ways as they look upon others with contempt? Shall you also seek to ascend above The Most High?! Shall you sit upon My throne?! For I tell you the truth, each time you sit in judgment and question My ways, you walk in satan’s aspirations; you follow in his footsteps![2]
And when I bless another, why do you not take joy in it? And when I correct you, why do you resist and question My ways? Am I not The Lord? Do I not give to each according to their faith, according to that which I see in their heart? Why do you in your arrogance set a line for Me to follow, or think within yourselves there must be a better way? And how is it you continually compare yourselves amongst yourselves, knowing this is unwise?[3] Beloved, I have prepared a place for you! Therefore offer up thanksgiving, and cease from your complaints. Forgive and bless, let go and obey, love one another and wash each other’s feet. Take joy in all I do, especially in that which I bestow upon another. And when I feed you, eat from your own plate and give thanks.
Little flock, it is the last hour, yet many of you have stepped backward. Let it be known to you: One who treads the path, going up and down, stepping on and off at their convenience, treads not the path, but is like one who treads water. By no means shall they be able to keep their head above water, nor shall their strength deliver them in the Day of Troubles.
Therefore heed My words, and also do them;
Be wise in your dealings with Me,
Humble yourselves and remember...
Blessed are those who run to Me,
For they shall be blessed in My presence;
Even more blessed are those who run to Me,
Then obey My Word, for their blessing
Is complete and they are at peace...
Deliverance they shall surely know...
Says The Lord."
www.thevolumesoftruth.com/Delight_in_the_Ways_of_The_Lord
Very great tips. Thanks for sharing. I left a church years ago because the pastor made a move on me. I ran away quickly!!!
Good for you 👍
Probably did the same to someone else and we don't know what happened
😮
My suggestion is to get into a church with sound biblical expositional preaching/teaching and avoid any church that the pastor is a celebrity, does not practice church discipline and never addresses sin and the need for repentance.
Amen
My church has all that, but it's pure Hell fire and no love for us sinners, I feel like we get beat up every sunday?
Agreed just leaving one now! Thank lord..
✝️🙏🙏🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️
My church has about 25 - 30 people on average. And it's been that way for the last 2 -4 years. 98% of them are over the age of 75. We've got Sunday morning service and midweek Bible study. But outside of that there is literally nothing. I have a huge heart for Souls and I think that every single church without exception should be teaching evangelism at least to some degree. But my pastors teaching and preaching seems to be singularly focused on strengthening the Believers that presently attend the church without any desire for Church growth or soul-winning. As if his one & only message/s seem to be variations of " just hold on folks, just a little longer and we'll move on to Glory or Jesus Will return"! I so desperately want a church that does some kind of corporate prayer for the community and lost and actually doing some kind of community Street evangelism. At least once a month. My church has none of this and I feel so dissatisfied or grieved more times than not whenever I leave church. I'm concerned that I'm being judging or critical but I honestly don't think that's what the issue is. So I've stopped going for the last month and have found that I am growing much more in the confines of my own home. I Testify of Jesus and Witness all the time at my work but I really long for a group of people from my church to do some kind of evangelism with or at least corporate prayer for the Lost and because my church does not seem to have any desire to incorporate these things in our church, I feel like I go to a dead church. There is no passion at all! I feel like I'm doing something wrong though because the people there are very loving and the pastor really does care about the people.
Any advice for me?
I live in a very small town and there are no other churches in my area I can attend that preach the Bible with the accuracy that this pastor teaches with. But even with that I find his messages are great and full of Biblical history and exegesis but nothing you can apply to your daily thinking and life in a practical way. Just lots of information! Yet I still feel very disconnected from this church and even my pastor. I once even asked him if he could do a little teaching or give some advice on Soul winning. This was during one of our Bible studies during the week. His response to my request was that was really not in his job description. He chuckled and and thought it was funny that an evangelist was asking a pastor to teach out do evangelize. And then he explained that as a pastor, his job is to teach equip and strengthen his flock. I can't tell you how sad and heavy I felt when I left Bible study that night. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't part of equipping the saints, teaching them how to win souls and or evangelize?
So Maybe because of the age of everybody in the church his messages and teaching seem to be only focused on helping everyone to just hold on a little longer. Grip that steering wheel as tight as you can, keep the faith & hold on for dear life till Jesus returns!
He seems to be afraid of the church getting too big or maybe he doesn't feel adequate or worthy enough to have a growing church. All I know is that he seems to have a very outspoken negative opinion about big churches. This makes me feel that as long as he seems to have a chip on his shoulder for big churches, our church will never grow. Anyway, he seems to be a lovely man but I feel like he and I are on two totally different pages and visions. Am I being arrogant? Am I being selfish? Am I being deceived? Should I just continue to go to this church even though I feel so unsatisfied and or unfulfilled? I know that church shouldn't always be about me and sometimes God wants us places for the sake of others but I won't dare think of myself more highly than I ought to. I am no savior to anyone. I just love Jesus and I want others to fall in love with him too. And when it's all said and done I think that should be the Church's number one responsibility. As my pastor says his job is to make disciples. But I'm pretty sure making disciples includes reaching the lost ? Doesn't it?
I know I wrote a lot but I'm really desperate for some advice that might correct me if I am absolutely missing it or confirm what the Lord might be leading me to next.
@@anthonycastillo7859 there should be preaching about the need for repentance and about the judgment that is coming for the ungodly, but there absolutely needs to be a balance struck between that and God‘s grace and mercy.
Wow... I literally just read proverbs 18 this morning! This topic has been on my heart about not being able to use my gifts at church.
What do you mean? I'm kinda in the same boat.
@@melirentas i really like my church. However, the only option they gave me for participation is bring a greeter. I enjoy outreach ministry and music ministry. They mostly sing hymns and don't have an outreach ministry. It's a smaller church.
@@CHRISTIAN-LADY can you start an outreach ministry there??
@@truthology4u Kind of. However, they said it would not be apart of the church. They said they don't mind us doing things outside of the church it just wouldn't be affiliated with them.
@@CHRISTIAN-LADY go for it... if it's a good Church, try and help it grow.
My sons are discouraged because of the negativity in the Church today and angry at me too when I leave to seek another Church. I try to tell them that scriptures do say in the last days there is a great falling away of the Church before Jesus will cone back. I don't intend to quit seeking a 'working Church' but if the word and Holy Spirit directs me to dust my feet, I will.
Stay out of BABYLON that is what our ALL MIGHTIEST TELLS US, so jesus is the head of churches and his reign is over. Cov is also church scriptures signed by fran christus.
Biblical illiteracy amongst God’s people is the reason why evil has flourished within every Christian church. To believe any church is exempt from evil entering its doors is ignorance capitalized by the devil. There will always be wolfs amongst God’s sheep inside every church who’s only purpose is to divide and conquer.
It was the devil himself who quoted parts of scripture when he tempted Jesus and it was the full knowledge of scripture that Jesus used against the devil to make him leave. Scripture not only strengthens our relationship with God but also helps us to defeat the evil within this world and within his churches, regardless of title.
Jesus along with his apostles gave us permission to hold people within the church accountable in order to protect his church and remove them if needed.
If evil flourishes, the fault then doesn’t lie with the church but with people for failing to hold it accountable.
---------------
The following is what I found within scripture that supports my statement.
“Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.”
Matthew 22:29
“Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself.”
Ezekiel 3:10
“Your people are saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right,’ but it is they who are not doing what’s right.” Ezekiel 33:17
“I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.”
Acts of the Apostles 20:29
“These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.”
Luke 10:2-3
“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
“in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus. Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.”
1 Corinthians 5:4-5
“Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5:6-9
“These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock, and I will stop them from feeding themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths; the sheep will no longer be their prey.”
Ezekiel 34:9-10
“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” Matthew 7:15
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.” Matthew 7:21-23
“For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.”
2 Peter 2:4
“Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals.” 2 Peter 2:13
“It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.”
2 Peter 2:21
“But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.” Jude 1:17-19
“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.”
1 John 4:1
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.”
Proverbs 31:8
“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”
2 Timothy 4:2
“Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12
---------------
The apostle Paul also became an example on how we must hold each other accountable as followers of Christ. During his time, not only did he use scripture to prove God’s truth but even corrected Peter for his actions in front of everyone, proving that even those in high positions can make mistakes which can be corrected by others within the church. Anything less is simply an excuse and an invitation for the devil to flourish from within.
“He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.”
Acts of the Apostles 18:28
“But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.””
Galatians 2:11-16
---------------
Jesus himself became angry that
people, from lack of holding it’s leaders accountable (Pharisees/Priest) had allowed evil to flourish within God’s temple. It was him, Jesus who became the first example of what must be done in order to cleanse it. He didn’t wait for repentance, nor provide forgiveness but removed them first!
“Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!””
Matthew 21:12-13
“Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted,”
Matthew 15:12-13
---------------
Anyone who accepts Jesus as our savior is indeed a Christian, responsible for protecting not only his church but his people as well.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
One must then ask themselves, who does it benefit more if I leave the church, God or the devil?
“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.” Matthew 25:45
The Catholic Church as corrupt as it’s become, is still the closes church we have to Jesus. Failure to hold them accountable is what led Protestants to leave in the 15th century, meaning as Christians we All were UNITED as ONE church under the Catholic Church till that separation, that’s a historical and religious fact.
Our responsibility as Christians is to come together in unity by holding those in power accountable. If the Catholic Church has failed it’s people is because it’s people have failed to do what God had instructed them to do.
Can we still fix the Catholic Church? YES! But instead the majority of people will let the wolfs advise them to leave instead of accepting their responsibility to hold anyone accountable. People should return to the Catholic Church and hold it accountable as they unite once again.
@@Antonio.R.O.C. in regards to holding the Church responsible, well said! Every Church that I was led to dust my feet, therefore I have done. I will share a brief account of my most recent:
After awhile of being in attendance, by and by, the pastor revealed more and more. He began to attack us from the pulpit and continually poll the congregation. My husband and I have been married for 30+ years. The pastor soon explained that he was justified for his position even though he had been divorced. He had 7 offspring, 2 sons from his present wife. He told the Church that his wife had a child before they were married. ... After we met with the pastor on several contentions... We dusted out feet. I'd love to hear a testimony from you on this matter. Be blessed.
@@kdawnd6262 As for leaders, pastors, elders, priest, whatever high position they hold must abide by the rules given to them within the Bible. Anyone who deviates from them must be taken out. It’s that simple. Just as Paul refuted the leaders of his time with scripture, we too must do the same.
Some have been sent to cause division by the devil and others directly from God. Scripture helps us to know the difference and either we remove the wolf from within or allow ourselves to be rebuked and taught by those God sends.
* “But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized!” 1 Corinthians 11:19
* “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11
My recommendations:
First: Put God first, even above your own Family.
* “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.” Matthew 10:37
Second: Trust God above anyone else.
* “This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:5
Third: Read scripture
* “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8
Fourth: Patiently allow the Holy Spirit to reveal his truth.
* “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative-that is, the Holy Spirit-he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26
People tend to forget that Jesus himself caused division amongst the Jewish people, showing us that we would either stand firm by his words or allow the world to corrupt us but we would have to pick between them and worst, it would start within our own Family.
* “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!” Matthew 10:34-36
I personally for many years refused to limit myself to a particular title within Christianity but as began to read scripture and dive deeper into Christianity history, my ignorance could no longer accept the worlds view.
The Catholic Church is indeed the closes church we have to Jesus. All of Christianity was indeed united under the Catholic Church until the 16th century when the Protestants decided to break apart and removed certain books from the Bible, before then, those book were accepted. To disregard that historical and religious fact is to paved the way for what we have now… thousands of Christian religions who have deviated from scripture and it’s authority.
The Catholic Church is not perfect but it’s the people at fault for not holding it accountable. That ignorance has now spread amongst all Christian churches as the devil continues to win by spreading us further apart. Our purpose as a church was never meant to be divided but united.
* “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:11-16
I am not here to convert anyone, simply acknowledging the facts and what’s written within the Bible. Seek him above all else.
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30
My wife and left our last church after eight years because their direction changed to “seeker friendly” and we don’t support that approach. But with that said, we still speak with our former pastor and pray for him and his wife. Just the other day we visited them at their home. It was just time for us to move on from that church and we’re now in a church where we’re very comfortable. They are big on Bible doctrine and it’s shat we were looking for.
I get it. It's hard to leave when you've formed relationships. We're in that process. Our church said point-blank, "We're looking for millennials with children. That's our focus."
What is Seeker Friendly?
Do you mind explaining " seeker friendly"?
Is that in England or another country
@@abeck7929 my understanding is that they start preaching less and less the heaven and hell issue or deep biblical issues, especially where Christians may have to walk the narrow road, music is one where you're not sure if it's praising God or not because it's ambiguous wording about love etc, they'll play secular music like Beyonce during breaks out after service, they'll have one million and one activities going on especially on church grounds but no evangelizing, it's a push to make church seem cool to unbelievers to attract them, you hear people saying "not like normal boring church at all, very cool", but unfortunately you can't stop when you attract them or they'll leave. The list isn't exhaustive or implies they're seeker churches, but if you see unbelievers praising how unlike "church" it is, it's a signal to question things. (Again not all the time, if you live in some prejudiced town where "believers" have mixed malice and hatred with the gospel etc of course when they see a godly church people will say good things about it).
I left a church almost 2 years ago because I identified with at least two of the signs that you have presented in this video. I was saved in that church and attended for over 20 years. I served in the helps ministry and participated prominently in the weekly church prayer meeting. My decision to leave was not a knee jerk reaction, but the end product of a growing sense of disillusionment. Leaving was painful and I bear no animosity towards the members of that church. However, I could no longer sit under the church leadership. I didn't think some of the preaching was the gospel and felt that there was an unhealthy aspect of manipulation and control. I often left the weekly service feeling angry and frustrated. The new church I attend is not perfect which I don't expect, as I am not a perfect person. I do think that level of integrity in my new church is higher than in the previous church and overall, for me it is more tolerable. The Holy Spirit has never placed it on my heart to go back.
@@connieo1332 Yes, it is extremely disappointing when you experience this. A church is supposed to be a refuge, but this may not be the case. This is why we have the Holy Spirit and the bible to sustain us and guide us in paths of righteousness and truth. It is more damaging to stay in a toxic environment than to leave and go elsewhere even though that is also painful. I pray 🙏 for inner strength for you to move forwards. God will never leave you or forsake you
We left a church recently after nearly 4 years for most of the reasons within this video. The sad thing is many people know how the leadership operate and yet continue to stay. As a family, we could not in good faith continue to compromise what we were seeing and what had happened to family members and others within the church. We haven't said really anything about why we left but needless to say, we have basically been ex-communicated by many.
My son is a Minister. I sent this video to my him whom I believe need to break away and start his own church. Where he has been and now this pastor is holding back what God called him to do.
I am being held back, I am. It is the most hurtful feeling. I love the Lord and speak his truth. They do not like my truth. I will be making a decision soon.
Awesome video. It’s very hard to decide to leave a church because it can feel like a bad breakup. Plus, kudos to Pastor Al for giving some biblical references to consider before deciding if it’s the right step.
I totally agree about what you said about leaving a church. I felt like I should leave a church I was attending. It was very hard because there were so many people there that I cared about. It certainly did hurt but, some things were just not right there. God bless
You divorce the devol, when this fact hits you YOU RUN OUT OF THE CHURCHES they are schools institutions and GOVERNMENTS
I'm a Squirrel girl to. LOVE them lol rescued 3 babies a few years ago.
I tough it was just me. I felt God was telling me that its time to live a local towns chruch .One morning I was grocery shopping when I got done for some reason my car wouldn't turn which was stranged I never had this issue's . Next to Aldi theres a church next to Aldi. I went walking and something felt lije I had to attend that church. I tought to myself well wht not and service was straighting . I went inside that church and stay to listen sermons . It felt peaceful and strong holly spirit very kind pastor too. After service I went back to my car and out of no where my car started working just fine. I felt the Lord telling I must start attending there that is my hime church. The Lord is amazing ❤
Oh yes He is amazing ❤
I sooo needed this message! I've been in prayer about this very matter now for at least two months. Your message was confirmation.
Thanks for this video. I’ve actually been praying about leaving my current church for months. I won’t go into any details because I don’t wanna sound like I’m putting them down, but let’s just say that we’re not in a good place and we have been stagnating for a long time, and there’s no urgency for any change. This really hurts because I love my church and I grew so much in my current church, but I feel like I’m at the end of my rope.
Please keep me in prayer as I weigh out my options, and keep my church in prayer as well.
I feel the same way right now. Glad I'm not alone. Prayers
Literally the one church I left a little over 2 years ago. It was hard to leave, but If I stayed longer and didn't listen to God, read the Bible and pray about pastoral voices to listen to, I would have stayed, wasted more time, and remained stuck spiritually, and I see that with people I knew there. Great people but the Lord was showing me a vision that superseded where I was in order to use me to grow elsewhere. It was needed.
@@abeekuadventures380 I’m so glad to hear that you stepped out in faith and obedience even when it was hard, and God has blessed you. Praise God! Right now I’m pretty much decided on what I’m gonna do, it’s just strategizing a plan on when and how to move forward.
@@christaciotola6025 Praying for you too!
I feel the same for my church. No sense of urgency from leadership..... I feel unchallenged and stale...
reason 3 is the reason why me and husband want to leave our present church we are being blocked from expressing ourselves as if we are a threat or something
Same!
Thanks for the video allen .🙏❤️
Church is not about our own emotions but rather about fellowshipping with other brothers and sisters in Christ and serving THE ALMIGHTY TRIUNE SOVEREIGN GOD IN HEAVEN.
By doing this together goes hand in hand what Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us all to do.
Matthew 22:37-39
English Standard Version
37 And he said to him, (A)“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And (B)a second is like it: (C)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Great video Bro. Allen! This makes me think of something I heard, that your church may be only for a season. Sometimes, nothing is inherently bad about the people there, God just wants you somewhere else.
All my prayers to those in this process of leaving a church. But I would encourage you to continue attending celebrations or city/region-wide Christian meetings during this period. This is a good way to maintain fellowship.
I left one church a few years ago because I didn’t feel very spiritually encouraged there. It had actually split my wife and kids though because they’re still very devoted to the church and don’t see the challenges or lack thereof I saw with it. As of now they go to one church and I go to another church where I feel so much happier and spiritually encouraged.
Such a timely topic. My family recently left our church after 15+ years and it has been one of the most difficult decisions we had to make but when the Lord speaks we must obey.
Our prayer is that our relationships will remain in tact because we left the church but we're still part of the Body of Christ and that has been difficult for some to receive because they believe it is personal.
Pastor Allen, you asked a question about different reasons to leave a church and I would like to learn a bit more on essentials vs non- essentials. You may have already discussed this in previous videos but a topic that I believe is important as we see so much division.
Excellent topic! Thank you
Thank you for this Allen! I recently left my church of 13 years but couldn’t really articulate why. Just something didn’t seem right with the direction they we’re headed. After listening to this guidance I can see now there were at least 5 of these that were happening around me.
Now on the search for another one. Sad face.
To everyone reading this, you will see the right hand of God in your home, business and health. God will restore everything the enemy has take from you. God will do something in your life which will change you forever. In Jesus name. Amen
You’re assuming everyone here is right with God and 100% faultless?
Amen
It's obvious you are not watching Alan (this channel)...
Amen. God is doing that with me now after getting close to suicide due to abuse from my wife and daughters one of whom is a "pastor" at a Pentecostal church whose head pastor is also the President of the Pentecostal churches in Australia. Abusive, sick, false prophets.
What if God's plan for a person is not health and wealth? What if the plan is holiness and that requires things the world think are not good for us, but God knows they are. Check what Peter says about suffering...
God bless you, Allen for your simply stated, easily understood wisdom! I left a Pentecostal/Charismatic persuasion after being solidly entrenched for 32 years. No need to go into the many reasons, other than I KNEW the Holy Spirit was removing me out of a long time “comfort zone”. I am now in a Word preaching church--book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. God knew exactly what I needed to grow in my faith which had become stagnant due to trading worship for entertainment & preaching the solid Word for issue focused messages.
I understand completely
My church has about 25 - 30 people on average. And it's been that way for the last 2 -4 years. 98% of them are over the age of 75. We've got Sunday morning service and midweek Bible study. But outside of that there is literally nothing. I have a huge heart for Souls and I think that every single church without exception should be teaching evangelism at least to some degree. But my pastors teaching and preaching seems to be singularly focused on strengthening the Believers that presently attend the church without any desire for Church growth or soul-winning. As if his one & only message/s seem to be variations of " just hold on folks, just a little longer and we'll move on to Glory or Jesus Will return"! I so desperately want a church that does some kind of corporate prayer for the community and lost and actually doing some kind of community Street evangelism. At least once a month. My church has none of this and I feel so dissatisfied or grieved more times than not whenever I leave church. I'm concerned that I'm being judging or critical but I honestly don't think that's what the issue is. So I've stopped going for the last month and have found that I am growing much more in the confines of my own home. I Testify of Jesus and Witness all the time at my work but I really long for a group of people from my church to do some kind of evangelism with or at least corporate prayer for the Lost and because my church does not seem to have any desire to incorporate these things in our church, I feel like I go to a dead church. There is no passion at all! I feel like I'm doing something wrong though because the people there are very loving and the pastor really does care about the people.
Any advice for me?
I live in a very small town and there are no other churches in my area I can attend that preach the Bible with the accuracy that this pastor teaches with. But even with that I find his messages are great and full of Biblical history and exegesis but nothing you can apply to your daily thinking and life in a practical way. Just lots of information! Yet I still feel very disconnected from this church and even my pastor. I once even asked him if he could do a little teaching or give some advice on Soul winning. This was during one of our Bible studies during the week. His response to my request was that was really not in his job description. He chuckled and and thought it was funny that an evangelist was asking a pastor to teach out do evangelize. And then he explained that as a pastor, his job is to teach equip and strengthen his flock. I can't tell you how sad and heavy I felt when I left Bible study that night. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't part of equipping the saints, teaching them how to win souls and or evangelize?
So Maybe because of the age of everybody in the church his messages and teaching seem to be only focused on helping everyone to just hold on a little longer. Grip that steering wheel as tight as you can, keep the faith & hold on for dear life till Jesus returns!
He seems to be afraid of the church getting too big or maybe he doesn't feel adequate or worthy enough to have a growing church. All I know is that he seems to have a very outspoken negative opinion about big churches. This makes me feel that as long as he seems to have a chip on his shoulder for big churches, our church will never grow. Anyway, he seems to be a lovely man but I feel like he and I are on two totally different pages and visions. Am I being arrogant? Am I being selfish? Am I being deceived? Should I just continue to go to this church even though I feel so unsatisfied and or unfulfilled? I know that church shouldn't always be about me and sometimes God wants us places for the sake of others but I won't dare think of myself more highly than I ought to. I am no savior to anyone. I just love Jesus and I want others to fall in love with him too. And when it's all said and done I think that should be the Church's number one responsibility. As my pastor says his job is to make disciples. But I'm pretty sure making disciples includes reaching the lost ? Doesn't it?
I know I wrote a lot but I'm really desperate for some advice that might correct me if I am absolutely missing it or confirm what the Lord might be leading me to next.
My church has about 25 - 30 people on average. And it's been that way for the last 2 -4 years. 98% of them are over the age of 75. We've got Sunday morning service and midweek Bible study. But outside of that there is literally nothing. I have a huge heart for Souls and I think that every single church without exception should be teaching evangelism at least to some degree. But my pastors teaching and preaching seems to be singularly focused on strengthening the Believers that presently attend the church without any desire for Church growth or soul-winning. As if his one & only message/s seem to be variations of " just hold on folks, just a little longer and we'll move on to Glory or Jesus Will return"! I so desperately want a church that does some kind of corporate prayer for the community and lost and actually doing some kind of community Street evangelism. At least once a month. My church has none of this and I feel so dissatisfied or grieved more times than not whenever I leave church. I'm concerned that I'm being judging or critical but I honestly don't think that's what the issue is. So I've stopped going for the last month and have found that I am growing much more in the confines of my own home. I Testify of Jesus and Witness all the time at my work but I really long for a group of people from my church to do some kind of evangelism with or at least corporate prayer for the Lost and because my church does not seem to have any desire to incorporate these things in our church, I feel like I go to a dead church. There is no passion at all! I feel like I'm doing something wrong though because the people there are very loving and the pastor really does care about the people.
Any advice for me?
I live in a very small town and there are no other churches in my area I can attend that preach the Bible with the accuracy that this pastor teaches with. But even with that I find his messages are great and full of Biblical history and exegesis but nothing you can apply to your daily thinking and life in a practical way. Just lots of information! Yet I still feel very disconnected from this church and even my pastor. I once even asked him if he could do a little teaching or give some advice on Soul winning. This was during one of our Bible studies during the week. His response to my request was that was really not in his job description. He chuckled and and thought it was funny that an evangelist was asking a pastor to teach out do evangelize. And then he explained that as a pastor, his job is to teach equip and strengthen his flock. I can't tell you how sad and heavy I felt when I left Bible study that night. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't part of equipping the saints, teaching them how to win souls and or evangelize?
So Maybe because of the age of everybody in the church his messages and teaching seem to be only focused on helping everyone to just hold on a little longer. Grip that steering wheel as tight as you can, keep the faith & hold on for dear life till Jesus returns!
He seems to be afraid of the church getting too big or maybe he doesn't feel adequate or worthy enough to have a growing church. All I know is that he seems to have a very outspoken negative opinion about big churches. This makes me feel that as long as he seems to have a chip on his shoulder for big churches, our church will never grow. Anyway, he seems to be a lovely man but I feel like he and I are on two totally different pages and visions. Am I being arrogant? Am I being selfish? Am I being deceived? Should I just continue to go to this church even though I feel so unsatisfied and or unfulfilled? I know that church shouldn't always be about me and sometimes God wants us places for the sake of others but I won't dare think of myself more highly than I ought to. I am no savior to anyone. I just love Jesus and I want others to fall in love with him too. And when it's all said and done I think that should be the Church's number one responsibility. As my pastor says his job is to make disciples. But I'm pretty sure making disciples includes reaching the lost ? Doesn't it?
I know I wrote a lot but I'm really desperate for some advice that might correct me if I am absolutely missing it or confirm what the Lord might be leading me to next.
I had to leave a church because the Pastor noticed how much influence I was having on the congregation as a worship leader. Instead of seeing me as a brother in Christ, he saw me as a threat. He did a lot of things to attack me and my family personally and was manipulating scriptures to fit his agenda and make us feel uncomfortable. Looking back today as a more mature Christian I'm not sure if I made the right move to leave the Church since I've learned that God sometimes put us in difficult situations to build Christ-like character in us. Romans 8:28 comes to mind. At the end of the day because of these difficult experiences, I have become stronger in my faith and more dependent on his word. Look at the Church as an academy where we come together to Praise and Worship the living God but also where we also get to practice how to love the brethren. Love You all God bless.
I get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very thoughtful video. I've been struggling and praying about this for about a year now and there's still questions I'm looking for answers for. Stepping away from a leadership position was initially difficult at first, but it's actually been very freeing. I've also cut back on participating in certain activities. Before I stepped away I was finding so many things hindering my path it was a struggle and started having an effect on my health and attitude. That has all but disappeared. I'm trying to be patient and observe to see whether I will stay at this church I've attended for over a decade. Covid practices and a new pastor have really brought to light where some people's hearts are and mine doesn't necessarily align with theirs. I'm not alone either. There are many parts to the body of Christ, but I'm just not sure I'm where I'm best suited now.
I am currently watching church TV and looking for a good spirit filled, Bible believing church in my area. Please pray for me in my time of need Thank you and God bless 🙌
God have a mercy and help us to find a biblical spirit fill church
I have been contemplating this issue for quite awhile but there is very little subject that Christians both online and in person covers and maybe out of fear of consequences. Thanks Alan for being brave enough to cover this and you did it well.
I find this interesting that you talked about this topic but really appreciate it that you did.
We left and it was all for Spiritual reasons.
But it was not easy, cause we were a part of it for a decade and a half.
I learned a lot and you talked about it all in the video. Lack of community was not a problem....
We have to be led by the Holy Spirit ❤️❤️
We have recently left a church. Nothing against the teaching . It was the covid policy saying that my 5 children weren't welcome due to social distance. We explain to the pastor and he understood our reasons. All he said was it was head stewards choice. However we left on Good terms. We have joined another church were my children are welcome to go. And are happy to go again. As a father my children spiritual journey is very important. Thanks God bless
Great topic. I am at Hillsong NYC and spritually I left the church for obvious reasons. I am checking out a few churches online. I love this church that just left the hillsong brand and I agreed his reason why. I loved his preaching and teaching. He is not perfect but do have the guts to preach the right thing.
Thank you bro for the timely message. It's very informative. I strongly feel that the holy spirit talked to me this morning through you. Your advices are on point. It's my prayer that the holy spirit will lead me to a Church that will take me to the next level. God bless you.
On point #3 one thing to also consider. Sometimes God wants us to serve first before moving to bigger things. If we go into a church with the attitude of servitude, God will promote you. If we go into a church just expecting the church leadership to allow us to do whatever we want to do without showing them that you are willing to serve the church even in the smallest ways, we will likely be disappointed.
1 Timothy 3 affirms this, by stating that overseers must not be new converts because they can become conceited, and that deacons must be tested first, and then be permitted to serve.
Very real and truth said, He will lead you out of all churches out of Babylon
@@redsaucetriple9578 I have to admit I'm having a really hard time finding a good one
True. Its basically the idea of what can I do for the Church vs What can the Church do for me.
Sorry but this is just not always true. YES God will promote you but at times he might say go forth to another gathering of believers. Some might serve in a church for years and they'll turn around and promote family members. Not saying that's never the will of God but I don't believe it always is.
I stopped going to the building and start having church where two or three are gathered , and people think I’m crazy !😆 because I chose to live the way the disciples did back in the day . I’ve been in all sorts of churches and half of them is just a show, it’s hard to find the right one but I’m ok where God has me and my immediate family of brothers and sisters in Christ.
U did the right thing.Because Jesus said the true worshippers will worship God and spirit and true.our leader is Christ .the will understand one day. .stay blessed
@@natashajeanbatistedarcisse8940 yep and I’m not doing anything wrong to hurt anyone I believe God has everyone on different journeys and a church building is not where I’m called to be , right now it’s more focused on outreach , bringing church outside the four walls.
@@natashajeanbatistedarcisse8940 as long as you are growing and is being lead by the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel to all nations , who cares what a church say or anyone say, I’ve never felt more better in my life since Ive not attended church a building and it’s been great because it’s all about what your retaining and reading the word for yourself . I chose a different path doesn’t mean that I’m against . I just think that going there would be way different when it’s a smaller setting of two or three or maybe even 15 folks. Just my opinion
the Bible says where 2 or more are gathered as you stated. a lot of society has conditioned the Church to where you go on sunday as opposed to being the Church. Being the Church also means we go into environments like our workplaces, etc where we will encounter to don't know Jesus. But if we stay comfortable in our christian bubbles, we get too comfortable.
Pray God lifts the scales from the lukewarm and lost eyes, opens their ears and soften their hearts, pray for your brothers and sisters in the Lord in Jesus name
Hello Mr Allen Parr my name is Justin Hoyt and I have been watching your videos since 2020 and want to say Praise be to God that He allows you to get these videos out here for all of us and I know I have been blessed by watching your videos (explaining certain situations that we as people deal with each day in life) it has been great help that God has brought me here to listen and understand things He needs me to learn. Praise be to God and thank you Mr Allen Parr for being bold and doing God's will sir God Bless!!
Thank you for this video. My wife and I have pondered leaving our church for some of the reasons you mentioned. God bless you.
Thank you for this video - it has helped me find clarity in making a decision. I have been struggling with this issue since our former Pastor retired. I have major misgivings about the direction the new Pastor is taking the church.
We left a small church a long time ago after pouring 15 years of serving in small groups, leadership, and worship team. The church never grew to any extent and the pastor kept changing directions trying so hard to keep up with current movements. Over the years people would come and go way too frequently. We just couldn't hang on to quality people. We recently heard the church has dwindled to a very small group of people and barely surviving. Sad.
At least your pastor tried! I was in one where as good as he is, don't think he's taken much sabbatical. He has been the lead pastor since 2004 until today. His messages have gotten more stale .
Thank you as always Bro. Allen for giving us good things to think about! I feel the Lord pulling me away from the church where I’ve grown up. I’d appreciate your prayers. It will be a painful decision, yet exciting bc I believe He’s doing something new! One going away tip I’d give is to make sure you inform someone in leadership you can trust that you’re leaving. Of course, if the issue is with leadership, you may not have that opportunity. However, if the Lord is just sending you...please speak to your leadership, ESPECIALLY if you are involved in ministries. God bless you all!
I am experiencing the same pain when it comes to leaving my church and I’ve been attending since I was 3 days old. I was emotional all week, but God assured me I am doing the right thing. I haven’t officially left yet due to an obligation to an office within the church that I have to finish fulfilling my oath to God. I don’t attend on Sundays, but I do watch sermons, I read my Bible and I pray. God has not left me and I know He’s going to be with me every step of the way. As a matter of fact, God is orchestrating every movement and giving me instructions on what I should do. I pray if anyone is going through a similar situation find peace and never disconnect from God.
I just told my leader that I made the decision to leave. This was very tough as I was trying to be careful with what I said, knowing that they wouldn't understand. Or that they would take offense. Thank God there's different platforms to help with our development.
I come from a oneness apostolic pentecostal church and I was on the praise team and still felt like I wasn't really needed. Lots of legalistic rules and I'm having to unlearn some things and re evaluate myself. It's been eye opening
I myself left a Pentecostal church because after really studying the Bible God opened my eyes and showed me the truth about what speaking in tongues is about and it is way off from what we have been taught! Tongues simply means languages and they were used to spread the gospel in Acts, but it’s not evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. It just happened that they received it and spoke in languages of other nations they did not know but there were always people there to understand what they were saying. Paul talks a lot about the gift of tongues in Corinthians and it’s not babbling like people do today. God is not the author of confusion. Just thought I would share that incase you haven’t learned that yet. There’s so much more. I am having to relearn so much too!
I was saved at a pentecostal church and I had to leave after a few years due to the legalism so I get it.
Me too!
What do you do when you're so happy to see your pastor out in public and you go to greet him and he acts distant and not as warm as he does when hes on that stage? Almost as if you were bugging him or you're not up to par for him personally. All you were doing is trying to say Hi and thank you and that is the truth and it's happened more than once and since before lock Downs in 2020 I stopped attending my own church.
This video has been very helpful as my husband and I have been navigating a move to another local church. I love the focus on accountability for the individual(s) considering leaving a community. Our actions have far-reaching consequences, so it is very important to seek God in prayer and- as Allen exhorts- to "check your motives!". We have finally made the difficult decision to move due to differences in church vision and theology. This has been especially difficult because (1) we have great community within this local body, (2) our church leaders are excellent and certainly are not abusing power, and (3) both sheep and shepherds are accountable to one another and are encouraging one another to live holy lives. Again- one of the most painful decisions I've had to make to date. Thank you for this video!
I never thought I'd get to a place where I'd think of leaving a church. Never. But this has come up to me like never before.
I'm examining myself to see if perhaps I'm the problem, because I was never like this, as this thought of leaving this current church I'm in makes me feel I'm being rebellious.
I left another church I'm coming of which I served there for 8 years because I changed location due to work.
Now the current church that I'm in is the one I want to leave. Ever since I started attending there I was never free and I was always at odds with the pastor. We don't see eye to eye.
I really don't like this feeling, because I'm a person who love peace.
I am really struggling myself in this way too. I am on the worship team and I went to the leader (who is new to our church) and just shared how some things she did upset me and and that I had a comment on some of the songs she was choosing. I even made it clear that I was not trying to tell her what to do, just giving my two cents because we are a team and we should be talking about our concerns and ideas. Well, the conversation went really sour really quick. Instead of hearing my heart, she went into a full power trip and told me I was rebellious and made very clear that SHE was the boss and we were going to do what she wanted period. I very much felt like I went to her looking for us to work together to find the best way forward, and she just came at me like she just was not interested in anything I said. She just wanted it clear that she was on a plane I would never reach and that was that. I am very hurt over the whole ordeal. I've decided that I can't serve with a leader who has so much pride in their heart. It was like nothing I've ever encountered before, and I've seen some church drama in my lifetime. I'm now feeling like I will never be able to have real conversations with these people because it's not allowed, and will not be heard. Any conversation hereafter just seems like I'll be scolded for having a problem with "authority" and I have never had any issue being compliant. This is literally the first time I've ever spoken up and I did it privately, as we are supposed to do. If I can't go to my leader and have a real conversation with them, then why are any of us even there? I don't want to go, but I just can't get over how arrogant and unwilling this person was to hear anything I was expressing. She didn't seem to care how her actions affect others. I have an issue with that. The whole interactions was just off the charts unreal to me.
@@crysmarie6684 sorry for what happened to you there in your church. I think you should speak with the pastor of your church and let him/her know about what happened. Surely there'll be a solution to resolve that problem and they will surely rebuke the worship team leader for what she did. Pray about it by taking it to the Lord and then to your pastor.
@@Dino-ns9jx That is why we’re leaving…it was the Pastor’s wife. I met with them to discuss my feelings/concerns. I feel like I was attacked instead of heard and I was very misunderstood. I tried to explain my heart and even apologized again and again for how awkward the whole conversation was and tried to be clear that I wasn’t trying to hurt feelings or tell anyone what to do. I was just trying to express my own hurt and hoping to work with them towards a solution. It didn’t turn into a productive conversation. I left feeling like I would not be allowed to have feelings or ideas ever again. I feel like it was made clear that there will be no friendship here. They are superior and it is inappropriate to talk to her about her decisions at all because she straight up isn’t interested in being “challenged.” It was a challenge to her “authority” that I had dared to make a suggestion and speak to her about something she did that hurt several people. She was unwilling to give even an ounce of understanding or reflection about what I shared with her. When someone like this doesn’t care they hurt people, I have a problem with that. We are on a “team” and being as such we should be able to talk to each other. She disagrees. I don’t know how to continue serving with her. I don’t feel like I can. We are a little too different for me on issues I feel are important.
@@crysmarie6684 I hear you. That's why I advise you to speak to God and ask Him what to do in this situation. Perhaps He's training you. I haven't left my church yet as I'm waiting on the LORD
Hi bro Allen, my wife and I recently left a church we had been at for 21 years. Our gift was music, she played piano and I played drums. I won’t go into details but the music Director stated playing video music to sing along with vs. us playing music. We met with both pastor and music director explaining we are called to music ministry and with due respect can not stay to support the video ministry. We left in good spirits and have found a church where we can use our gifts.
This is a good video on this issue. Because a lot of churches can be biblical, honest, and have a lot of good traits while also being toxic. I liked that he went beyond the blatantly obvious signs.
Thank you God for this video. Please make your perfect will for my family known. Please lead our feet into a new place where we can grow and help others
Thanks for sharing 🙏🏾
Great points ✅
Prayers out for those going through this situation 🕊️
Thank you brother ,my daughter is looking for a different church to fellowship at I would share this with her
Blessings to you and your family, and be fruitful in the ministry God has placed in your care
This is really good information. I think I have watched it several times because everytime I consider leaving my church I always look for valid reasons as to why I should leave. I have had several of these things happen at the church I currently attend. I think the main reason I haven't left is because I want to leave the right way and not because I disagree with so much that goes on.
I totally hear you
Really good points!! Thanks, Allen
Meaningful relationships? What meaningful relationships? I've been going to this church for over 10 years. Number of friends I have...zero. Nobody has ever cared about me, or cared to help me or counsel me, despite all my cries for help. I thought a church was supposed to HELP. 😪
I understand how you feel. I've had struggles finding a congregation I can relate to and where I feel cared for. For me, I believe it's simply that I'm in the wrong community (city). With some thought, I believe you can figure out the source of your trouble.
So sorry 😞 😔 I hope you find another place
I have experienced the same ! so sorry this has been your experience Pray for God to lead you to where he wants you to be
Sound advice:) Blessings to you! Love the part of not saying anything negative and expectations for another church
1. Moving home and your church is now too far away [or] finding a new church that seems ok, but isn't close enough to feel comfortably like a church home because they serve a local community that you aren't part of, where you live. The latter is fine if there is no where closer that is suitable, otherwise not. Best to serve your local community church if all other boxes are ticked.
2. New Pastor introducing new theology into the church that wasn't there before.
3. Community isn't alive in Christ. Most members are just Sunday habitual attendees and not committed to bible study and theological advancement, serving, fellowshipping, mutual support. Or they treat church like a social group and barely discuss anything church related, or pay lip service to it to authenticate a secular group gathering comprising of worldly chit chat and little else.
4. Community body composition doesn't resemble the make up of the local community as well as it could do - so you feel uncomfortable / out of place / ill fitting.
5. Legalism. Controlling leaders who try to run your life in an unbiblical way, are intrusive into your private affairs.
6. Churches that are always tapping you for money and making you feel guilty if you aren't contributing enough, even when you have a good reason. E.g., lost a job, retired on state pension, etc.
Introducing new theology is one i see often since weeks or months ago and is just bad! My knowledge of the bible is shunned after studying over 35 years as if its now obsolete to the people who are not being good doctrine. I am hushed if i try to share knowledge harmlessly where i am. They want it so my knowledge is replaced with their off kilter doctrinal ideas AND THEY want the sheep to stay babies.
This was amazing!!! Biblically sound.. just wonderful. Thank you. It's my last Sunday at church this weekend and it's because of abuse of power after I reported being sexually harassed and touched multiple times by one of the leaders in the church. Since then, I've been shunned and ignored by my pastor and violations of code of conduct have no consequences
There is a fundamental problem with how many churches are run that encourages unapproachable leadership and program driven, corporate business-like operations rather than a simple body of believers. This also makes it very hard to be under the authority of the leadership.
Please pray for me work wise.
Pray over my current job and whether I should quit.
Pray over a replacement job that also allows me attendant and serve at my church on Sunday Mornings
Thank you brother Paul this has really helped me I pray that God blessings may continue to be with you and that you may help others as well I'm truly grateful that I found this message praise God
Most swept under the rug in so called family-churches; seen it for what it is and left so that I could grow. Not a bad experience for me, leadership was still in growing stages. Doing well now (as a whole).
A common problem in today's churches is the seeker sensitive approach, their methods of trying to attract the world have gone too far to the point of turning the church into a night club, that's one example 😀
Thanks so much for this video. I served at a church for many years until the minister retired. I sunk a 3 years into a new one before becoming a member and then left due to poor treatment. Between mourning my old church and the trauma of the new, I am really having trouble finding something new. I am not jaded. Just do not want to go through all that again.
This is an on time message. I left the church I attended for 20 something years, because I wasn't in agreement of what was being taught and preached. At the beginning the word of GOD was being preached, but during the area of Trump, division came, and it seemed like Trump was being preached more than the word of GOD.
Because you're one of Jesus shippe your heard his voice that's the reason you're out....remember the real shippers doesn't go to church the holy spirit lead them .stay blessed
Sometimes when it comes to the cliques and the way people treat others differently in the church. You can see right through those people. Whether that means reaching out to the pastor with a question about the word, and just having your message Left on read and not replied to years later but see them everyday in the church, And that is what prevents me from going to the church that my parents attend these days. Is anyone else going through these things? Like someone is jealous of them in the church. Especially the younger people when you share your anointing and testimony in their lives, and then they're behavior towards you changes. Etc Can someone encourage me from their point of view and experiences regarding this?
Wouldn't be surprised if I get this at my church. I feel like that's everywhere sadly.
There are all kinds of people in the Church. What I've learned to do when I have conversations with people is to observe them first and then see who I want to connect with and who I don't want to connect with. We can love everyone, but we don't have to be friends with everyone. That's impossible and also dependant on my walk with God.
I recently left the church of England and found a family based church. I didn't like the route the CofE was going with regards to the family. It saddened me but I'd rather put my time and energy into a church that relates to my beliefs.
Perfect video I prayed the other night about this very same thing and I believe this is the answer
On your last point here...you mention not saying anything about your previous church or pastor. I think this holds if it isn't a serious issue. But. If staying quiet means that other people will fall into difficulty at a dangerous church then you should probably not stay quiet about it. I hear Alan speak with truth and love about concerns he has over false teachers to educate and expose bad or corrupt teaching. So I think it is sometimes right not to be silent.
Thank you I left my old church because I didnt have close community and blessed with my new church I go to.
One Church, one body in Christ. If we are truly going to church (the building) to have a personal relationship with God, the Pastor is teaching sound doctrine from the Bible, your spirit is being filled with " living water", and you're being obedient unto God the best way you know how, then ultimately God will tell you when to leave. But if your motives are to uplift self then you always find fault in a church. Before you make a decision to leave a church consult with God first, HE will give an answer on rather to leave or not.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
SEEK GOD SINCERELY WITH YOUR HEART
I found my answer! Thank you for the lesson
Thank you for this video Pastor Allen! Right on time. We have had some concerns about a primary doctrinal error. We love our church community so this is hurtful to think this may be where God is leading us. I keep thinking I can brush it off but I feel I am not being true to the truth of Gods Word for the sake of comfort. We are continuing to pray for the Lord's wisdom and guidance. Thank you!
Im in the same boat,please pray for me
I'm also in the same boat too. It's a very hard decision. My issue would be considered a secondary issue. But to me it's a primary issue. Who decides whether it's a primary or secondary issue if in one's mind the reason is clearly unbiblical? Much prayers needed. God bless U Brother Parr & bless every commentator here too.
I just made the long and arduous decision to move to another church. I didn't even look for this, but it helped me confirm my decisions T_T thank you!
Thank you bro Allain for the insights....God bless more your ministry!
I know Heb 10:25 tells us we should be part of a church, but Catholic or Protestant? then which denomination? I enjoy a personal relationship with the Divine through Jesus and I'm constantly empowered by the Holy Spirit. Some years ago I asked the Holy Spirit to help me discern what I should do in the Service of the Divine and I was sent the Guidelines of Problacism, which I've now put on-line for everyone to see. Rather than go to any church on Sundays I walk in nature and always pick-up everyone else's litter they have dropped. It's my continual act of humility and gratitude, but I know many Christians feel that this simple act is 'beneath' them.
I was a member of my church since 2006 but I was the musician since 1995 I left in June of 2021 I felt I was not growing I just felt stuck the church through our the years has lost so many people so before I left I been praying and telling God that that I wanted to be in a place where I can truly be taught the word and I wanted to be in a place that was not too big so I found a church I connected with them on Easter of this year I learned so many things especially about baptism and baptism in the holy spirit I'm attempting Bible study I really love this place the place I left don't get me wrong I don't knock denomination but I was an AME and they really were only about collecting money and not about souls I was tired of it
I’ve been in the same place, being in a church that didn’t help me grow and I also felt stuck. It’s an awful experience..
Thanks for this EXCELLENT video that addresses specific issues clearly and succinctly.
At a church I was at, some time ago, I, and other musicians, experienced our gifts being taken advantage of. The demands of the music ministry were unreasonably overwhelming. Also, I saw youth engaged in illegal activity (selling bootleg CDs). Not only did the parents condone it, but the pastor knew about it, and I did not see an end to the activity. And speaking of the pastor, he became a bishop. While I still love and respect him, individually, I have serious issues with the whole bishop phenomena, as an institution.
Thats usually how it starts. People in ministry in my experience in denominational Churches were more interested in how I could serve, but not actually take the time to get to know me. Its why the statistics for pastors are crazy high in a lot of areas. one of them being that over 80% of them don't have close friends. Not to judge them, but there is a lot of hurt that many have displayed on others that really cause people to struggle with their faith. So its like "Come as you are" becomes more of a slogan but isn't really demonstrated, or like in the one church I attended, their messages were great but if you needed any kind of care like in one case i was told to 'contact my small group' when I specifically wanted a pastor to pray for me. When serving, I've placed boundaries and taken time to observe because in some cases, its almost better to use your giftings outside the Church if people in Church ministry don't even want to take the time to get to know you.
I have felt for sometime that it is time to leave after being at a church on and off for about 30 years ( started at a young age). What the church once was is no longer. I dont see healing, miracles, prophecy, tongues or interpretation, no deliverance. Just a 3 to 4 hour service of praise and worship, basic messages and teachings of the bible and so forth. Now a new pastor has been appointed and even more question marks if the decision was really confirmed by God. Please pray for me as ive outgrown this church and feel irritated when I attend. It should not be that way. The congregation is alot less now and mainly consist of elderly people (alot has passed away already) we dont have a youth anymore
@STG-88 it's a Pentecostal church. We believe in Jesus Christ and praying that the church will be restored again
This is funny coz am in the same situation...I was just reading while laughing.
We moved on. There were many indications but the most important was the church got so big (2000+) you had to make appointment with the minister's secretary to speak to him about doctrine. You could not just walk up to the guy after the service or in the parking lot. He was like a SUPER STAR. We left after 30 years of going there.
I feel the same, I approached my Pastor and requested to talk to him. He said he's schedule is tight and can only see me after Passover 😢
@@funinkosikheswa what a joke! That guy gets no money now!
@@VictorianMaid99 😢
Thank you I really needed to hear this.
God Loves You Remember That ❤️🙏🏾✝️
I was scrolling looking for a particular vid and came across yours. I am glad I took time to listen and witness your divinely and seamless laid out description and guidance for understanding and knowing your place relevance and purpose at the church you attend wether you should remain and continue or move on. Your council is great vitamins for proper spiritual growth attainment God bless you were taught well!!
I think that being born again and filled with the Spirit and then abiding in His will and letting the Holy Spirit tell you when to leave is what we must do. Lean not in your own understanding…..sometimes God has us stay and pray.
that, but there are times where he has people leave too. I know friends and families that have stayed at Churches, but I also know others that have left too. Its all dependent on what the Holy spirit reveals to a person.
Thank you for the meaning of di-vision. SO helpful.
Great video. I've been praying about leaving the church I've attended for more than 4 years now, for most of the reasons mentioned. Thanks for confirming. I think its time to go.
Tnk you for this msg
I had doubts if i was wrong aboit the reason s for leaving my cousins church. I felt bad but you just made my day😆😃tnk you JESUS i knew i was right! AMEN ❤️ now i can let go of this feeling! A💙 M 💙 E 💙 N
I have been struggling lately with the church I attend. They choose to sing Hillsong and Bethel often and it really makes my stomach turn. The preaching is typically solid and it is a very God centered message as a standard. My issue is that the songs we sing are from those churches whose doctrine is not just bad but wrong and heretical. I find myself praying instead of singing more often than not.
Something I learned from apologetics is truth is truth no matter who speaks it. Let me ask you, if Hillsong or Bethel sang Rock of Ages or Old Rugged Cross would you refuse to sing them again? While I agree many of their doctrines are heresy, not all of the music contains that. Some are glorifying God. If you are in a good sound church, your worship leaders should already be discerning which songs contain false doctrines. But if you question it, review in for yourself and bring your concerns to your leadership. They may be unaware. Allen has also done some excellent reviews on the content of worship songs in some of his other videos!!
@@nikki-odette2190 Yeah I get that they sing songs that aren't theirs. I suppose you could say it is the principle of the matter. Songs like Reckless Love just really are hard for me to listen to. Certainly can't sing it.
@@nikki-odette2190 That;s the attitude of most pastors and elders. If the words are OK, the song is OK. I disagree.They pay royalties to these mega-dens of Satan and this supports the outreaches they do, to lure in the lost and lead them to Hell. Should we partake in that - however inadvertently - and claim to still be worshipping God?
It is almost impossible to find a church that doesn't play this music. I mentioned it to my new Elders when I recently joined when just after a peach about false teachers and wolves they played a Bethel song. They haven't agreed to a policy change, but they do play it very infrequently. I'm not sure if that was down to my alert or whether it wasn't played much anyway. I have heard five Bethel and Hillsong tunes in eight weeks of attendance. Oddly enough these tunes are favourites of mine - but that is hardly the point!
@@nikki-odette2190 sorry BUT i just CANNOT consume my Salad
AFTER realizing that a "FLY" is in it:(
You would NOT partake of a BROWNIE-
if there was a little bit of POOP in it, Right?
Thank you brother Allen! I've left two time from different church, for the reason that you've explained! Again thank and God bless you!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
I’ve been thinking about this too pray for me it’s very difficult it’s like a breakup that you don’t want to do but you got think about your well being and how you feel spiritually.
These are good points Allen! Thank you for sharing! I’m going to pray on those points and see if God is calling me to leave or stay. Blessings 🙏🏾
Great video today on when to leave the church and how to leave the church Following this advice you cannot go wrong thank you for this video
My wife and I are at odds over this issue. I feel the need to leave my church (it's a Pentecostal type church) because I believe they are missapplying the spiritual gifts/speaking in tounges etc. My wife actually agrees with me on doctrine, but has grown up in this church and has close bonds with the pastor and other members. We now have 3 kids that I want to raise in a doctrine sound church. We are at odds on how to move forward. It's a frustrating subject for us right now 😥.
Does your wife respect that you have been chosen by God as the head of the household according to Scripture? And obviously, in NO WAY, does that mean to lord that over her or not take into account her feelings on the matter and respect her. But if your reasons are sound, and wanting correct doctrine for your children sounds wise and reflects what the Bible teaches, you may have to step forward and lead your family in this matter. Again, not in any kind of way that would dishonor God or hurt your wife/relationship or the church you've been attending. Pray about it, see what JESUS wants you to do and then follow Him. Peace of Christ.
Just a thought, but in case you have not seen the American Gospel: Christ Alone film, I would encourage you to watch it with your wife, might help her gain some discernment and understand where you are coming from.
If you know that speaking in tongues is not of God today, then you are dangerously putting your family in danger. Besides, Matthew 24:15, 1stPeter 4:17 and 2ndThesalonions 2-1-12 tells we ought not be there if you are saved.
Yea my personal advice is definitely to move on from there. I grew up in a pentecostal church, i had much walked away from the God and the church when i was 17 . And when i came back to church after coming to the knowledge and Truth of Jesus Christ 5 yrs later. I ignorantly proceeded to attend the same churches. And come find most these people don't understand scripture at all but rather twist it. And what ive seen a lot is name it claim it preaching. Beware the leaven of the pharisees as it is written. I just recently started to attend a presbyterian church, much more orderly. If the church is acting like the world, go to a different one. Church should be trying to be like heaven. Im just not with this whole "letting the spirit have its way" stuff. We serve a God of order. I believe in baptism of the Holy Ghost but these pentacostal churches be completely out of line and even uneducated about Holy Spirit they claim to speak of. We must understand the person of the Holy Spirit and His role. Hes not just some magic ghost going around possessing people to speak tongues or a short word through someone, which is what i grew up thinking.
@@zakkraines1296 The verses I gave you are for all corporate churches across the board across this planet. There is one true church that consist of all true belivers scattered around the globe individually. Please read the verses.
I've been thinking of leaving my church since childhood. Our pastor is a prosperity gospel preacher; I'm not able to use my gift in the church because of many rules such as sowing at least 5 choir uniforms per year. It's kinda costly. Their is not a sought of freedom in worship. Please remember me in your prayers concerning this matter 🙏🏽!