Frank Turk of … and his ministers a flame of fire recently wrote a series of posts regarding the issue of leaving the local church. The series is in response to John MacArthur’s post: When Should People Leave Their Church? which begins…
Leaving a church is not something that should be done lightly. Too many people abandon churches for petty reasons. Disagreements over simple matters of preference are never a good reason to withdraw from a sound, Bible-believing church. Christians are commanded to respect, honor, and obey those whom God has placed in positions of leadership in the church (Heb. 13:7,17). However, there are times when it becomes necessary to leave a church for the sake of one’s own conscience, or out of a duty to obey God rather than men.
It’s the However part that gets Frank rolling and I think it would benefit all of you to read the MacArthur post, then read Frank’s entire series (including comments) before you consider leaving a local church. It has convicted me and I think it will do the same for you. Some scripture you should read in regards to this issue are listed below:
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Heb 13:7 ? to honor leaders
Gal 1:7-9 ? that those who turn the Gospel on its head be accursed
Rom 16:17 ? to avoid those who cause division and teach false doctrine
1 Cor 5:1-7, 9-11 ? that the church should expel those who are unrepentant in sin
2 Thes 3:6 ? again, to avoid those who are idle and teach false doctrine
2 Tim 3:5 ? again, to avoid those who are idle and teach false doctrine
Without further ado, Not done lightly: parts (1), (2), (2-A), (2-B), (3), (3-A), (4)
