Desiree Rutter
Recently, a good friend that lives in the same small town that we do called to let me know she was really burned out at her church and she really couldn’t bear much more. She wasn’t growing. In fact, she was parched. Serving had become a duty and not a pleasure. The list went on and on of why she could not worship there anymore.
I, being a pastor’s wife, am sure she was looking to me for some godly counsel. Well, I really did not have any to offer. I did not want her to come to our church unless the Lord Himself rained down fire from heaven calling them to move there. I instructed her and her husband just to continue to pray together and surely God would direct their path (Proverbs 3: 5-6). Her husband and she realized that they had to make a decision. They were not growing in their walk with the Lord.
Changing churches is such a hard thing to do. Many lives are impacted . . . not just your families. There is often guilt of positions that will be left unfilled, lives untouched, not to mention hurt when people don’t understand why you would want to leave. There will be people on both sides tugging for your time, energy and even money sometimes. Darn sin!
According to a study done by Lifeway Research Group in 2007, 28 percent of churchgoers who choose to leave their previous church did so because the “church was not helping me to develop spiritually.” And 20 percent of respondents left because they “did not feel engaged or involved in meaningful church work.”
We have the opportunity to meet together each week and we should not neglect meeting together. Scripture in Hebrews 10:25 reminds us of the privileges of worshipping together that we have since Christ has returned to Heaven. So no matter how discouraged you get, keep going SOMEWHERE!
It might be a good time to look at other denominations or styles of worship. This can actually be a really healthy transition if you seek the Lord’s will. It can be a time of reflection and refreshment and you never know it may be just enough to lead you back to your former church with fresh eyes and a fresh heart.
Try to plant your feet, as quickly as possible, for the most growth potential. Keep your eyes focused on the big picture. Believe it or not, this is not about you. It is about where God will get the most glory. Should I stay or should I go? Leave it up to Him and listen, listen, listen to the one who holds the answers.
Written by Desiree Rutter a.k.a Clappy Shoes
Excellent post! I am going through this same situation myself right now. Thanks so much for the advice.
Amen on that prayer part! Patience helps.
We first asked for release from our last church in 2002. The pastor asked us to wait. We did. Then in about 2005 I again began asking for release, this time from the Lord. He gave it in 2007, with our pastor’s blessing.
We spent months trudging from church to church with our five children. It seemed we’d never find a home in which to rest. But the whole time, I prayed, “Lord, please put us where YOU want us.”
He finally put us in our new home church. We’ve been there a year and a half, and we’re thriving like never before. I’ve found blessings here I didn’t think possible this side of heaven. Though it took over five years, I’m so glad we waited upon the Lord, for He has blessed accordingly.