WARNING: Hot Topic Ahead!
About a year ago we had made a very hard decision to change churches.
We, my husband and I, have a deep connection to the Lutheran Church. My father is a Lutheran Pastor and I am a commissioned minister in the church. My husband grew up in the Lutheran Church and that is where we met. We have attended only Lutheran churches since we have been together.
The Church that we attended in our former state, Oregon, was home for us. We loved the people. My hubby was a part of the congregation for many years, and I worked there at one time. Of course, just like any church there are difference that arise on occasion but nothing that caused concern like not helping the poor, false teaching, stealing of funds, etc.
We moved to Arizona and had much difficulty finding a church connection. My hubby hadn’t been to a new church in a long time (just new Pastors), but I had. For several reasons we just had a hard time finding the spot we felt God wanted us. Of course part of this was moving to a completely different type of city (small to large), another was our financial difficulties and stress, and grieving our former church all added to this problem.
After we had attended a couple of churches (again not what we were envisioning) we settled on a church that was a little far from home and not exactly a huge connection but it seemed to work and we needed to be in a church home.
After several years of attending and active participation we had built friendships and built the connection we had longed for. Then, for reasons that I don’t feel right about going into, we came at a crossroads with new leadership and felt that we needed to change churches for the spiritual welfare of our family. Every Sunday was a discussion about the struggle of staying or leaving! It was agonizing.
We went and visited a few churches and most were not Lutheran (the shame of it all). The Lutheran church thrives in many areas, but for us Arizona (our part of the city) was not one of them. We wanted to be involved with a church that was very outward focused. One that would encourage music that would invite those who have never attended a church to come. A church that would not be difficult to bring a friend to as they wouldn’t be lost. ETC
We found a church that my husband fell in love with right away. It was a large (to us) Church of God. There is some differences of theology but nothing that we felt would prevent us from attending there. The Pastor was wonderful. He knew my hubby’s name right away and that met a lot to him and me. After a few months the Pastor came to let us know personally (even though we were very new to the congregation) that he would be leaving the church. We were shocked but we felt this is where God would have us so we stayed.
We went through the vacancy and recently called a new Pastor. The Pastor we called is very different, and to be honest I wasn’t sure about him coming. After just about a month I have been growing spiritually just as I have been doing with the previous Pastor. We really do know that God is doing wonderful things here and we are blessed to be apart of it.
I know many people have very strong feelings about changing churches. I just have to say that this change has allowed me to grow so much more than I would have imagined. Although I miss some of the traditional parts of the Lutheran Church service I have been challenged by the change of routine. I see my faith in a whole new perspective. My children are also growing. One Sunday, my oldest came out of a service and said, with welled up eyes, that was an emotional service. I said that is the Holy Spirit and we had a chance to talk about it.
Although we miss the Lutheran Church we feel that we are where God would have us. And you know I don’t think God really minds if we go to a different denomination or not. I think He just cares that we are there worshiping Him and serving. Are we doing His will or not.
It’s so funny how we get so settled on our own denomination. At this point, because I don’t attend a Lutheran Church, I don’t think I could work in one (as I previously have done) or be a missionary. This is the same for most denominations. I guess I wish that they would take an individuals spiritual growth into account rather than what denomination they have attended (or attend). As I have told many people, I don’t want my kids to feel they are Lutheran, Church of God, Baptist, Methodist. That is the place that they worship not their identity. There identity is children of THE MOST HIGH. We are Christians and not bound by the denomination in which we attend.
Of course, there is a purpose to domination’s, and I recognize that. There are consistency and theological issues, but I do think we need to challenge ourselves and what we are and Who’s we are. Although I don’t advocate changing churches and denominations, I do think it behooves (yes behooves) us to attend, every once in awhile, other churches so that we can go beyond tradition and let God move us in a way that we wouldn’t allow in our comfort zone.
Real World Martha's Weblog 
January 27, 2008 at 9:01 pm
We recently went through changing churches. It is a very emotional and difficult decision. But we are accountable for our children and if the church is not in GOD’s will, we must do what is right in HIS eyes. We have noticed that churches easily fall into complacency or into not wanting to rock the boat, therefore ignoring sin. If you are not content where you are, it could be that the HOLY SPIRIT is working on you. That’s how it was with us. Keep on growing in CHRIST. 🙂
January 27, 2008 at 9:10 pm
“We are Christians and not bound by the denomination in which we attend.” That sums it all up right there. God did not create denominations – man did. It’s really sad to me that we as Christians differ so greatly that we can’t be united in Christ. I know that parts of Scripture are interpreted differently in denominations but the division in the church is just sad.
I also think that God leads people to different churches for different purposes at times. I don’t think that staying in one church for a lifetime makes a person any better a Christian than attending many different churches over a lifetime. The point is to serve God and to fellowship with other believers. The specific building that we’re in isn’t what’s important.
Great post!!
March 3, 2010 at 9:08 pm
AMEN! I grew up in a Catholic church as a young girl. But my husband and I are members of a nondenominational church now. Believing that God is Superior, that he sent His Son into the world that we might live through him, believing in the Trinity and remaining in fellowship with others believers is whats important!
January 27, 2008 at 10:45 pm
“I think He just cares that we are there worshiping Him and serving. Are we doing His will or not.”
“That is the place that they worship not their identity.”
Amen and Amen! This is a great topic and well said. You hit it on the nail here!
Do you think God lead you through all that to this different denomination to recognize this?
January 28, 2008 at 9:03 am
schneisa – Thanks for coming by. It is such a tough decision to change churches. I press on knowing that we have done the best for our family and feel that we are in God’s will. Thanks for your great comment!
momlovesbeingathome- I am with you on the man made vs God made. I say if it’s not in the Bible then it’s up for debate! I am just sadden that a church would keep someone with a true love for the Lord from working there because they currently don’t attend that denomination. Amen on your comment! 🙂
Tam – Yes, I think your right that God has led us here to help us recognize this. I have always visited other churches and haven’t had denomination “issues” but I feel that I can see more division then I thought there was. I am sad that a denomination would not allow someone to work there based solely on that (denomination attendance).
You guys have a great day. Thanks for coming by!!!!!
January 28, 2008 at 3:02 pm
We are currently in this process of finding a new church. I never dreamed that it would take over a year, yet it has. I have at times become so frustrated that I wanted to give up and stay home! I can’t believe how many churches have completely lost focus and I don’t think they even notice.
I think that we (Christians in general) have made religion far too man centered, focusing on how we all differ instead of the One we are all bickering about! We’ve made God so stinking complicated that I can completely understand why so many are turned off by us.
I suppose it is the nature of man to think we’ve figured it all out and that our way is the right way…you know, all the stuff denominations are based on. The stark reality is that there is probably no denomination even close to figuring out who God is and what He wants, so why get caught up in whose less wrong than the next one??
Hope you don’t mind my two cents!
January 28, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I agree with your thoughts, too. We need to focus on Jesus – keeping the Main Thing the main thing!
I’m glad you found a church home where you are growing in and serving the Lord. That’s really what matters.
January 29, 2008 at 11:53 am
How interesting. I’m LDS so when you move you don’t choose a new congregation, they are geographically assigned. It is sometimes hard to find a “fit” with those in our area, or sometimes the congregation the next block over looks “better”. But I’ve found that one huge thing that has helped us “mesh” and bloom where we are planted is praying for our leaders.
My flute teacher when I was a teenager was Lutheran, and she was a great lady whom I still admire.
April 12, 2008 at 1:10 pm
This was so helpful for me to read that others struggled leaving their churches. I not only left my church, but took a private preschool business with me. It was very painful, I felt like I was betraying everyone. ON the other hand, my husband and I are now in a large non-denominational church and love it. We are growing spiritually together, feeling challenged and encouraged. The preschool is doing well. It has been over a year now, but being in a small town, I am haunted now and then with those negative feelings of leaving the Presbyterian church.
July 29, 2008 at 10:06 am
Greetings!
All of the posts have been very helpful. I have grown spiritually where I have attended for ten years, but that growth has stopped. I have prayed and know that the thirst I have for Christ cannot be fulfilled where I am. I feel there is a calling on my life, but if I stay where I am, I will never fulfill that purpose.
January 22, 2009 at 11:17 pm
I am in the process of looking for a new place of worship. It has not been easy. For the past 4 years, God used me and grew my ministry in song and music. Through committment to the church we introduced a media ministry and we were able to connect a group of awesome musicians to the church. However, I am believe my ministry has always been seasonal and the burden and passion is leading me into a new direction. God has released me from the music ministry and is opening doors for this new ministry which I am excited about. When shared with my pastor, it seemed as though he was looking for a reason as to why i would leave the church and want to start a new ministy which will essentially take me into the community where people need God and won’t or physically can’t come to the church. This surprises me because ultimately, we are the church! Each of us have a commandment to go out and share the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone! I think sometimes we forget that the church is to provide training, growth and a place to discover our ministries. Not so we can stay within the 4 walls forever but to go out! I guess perhaps because the fact that ministy calls for my time away from the church, in some people’s eyes, it can’t be of God. We press forward and are totally allowing God to order our steps as we trod new territory!!
October 15, 2009 at 9:03 am
I too am struggling with the thought of moving to another church. My present church (Baptist)is located a quite a distance from my home. As I am past 62 years in age, driving the distance is getting more and more challenging with each passing year. To make matters worse, bible study/cell group meetings are held at night and my eyesight are not what they used to be especially when it comes to driving at night.
I have no problems at all with the pastor or congregation except for the distance I have to travel.
There is a church located just a stone’s throw from my home. It’s a Salvation Army church and I am thinking of moving there although I am somewhat apprehensive about it. I just can’t get myself to do it as I do not know what to say to the pastor or the other members of the congregation.
I am praying for guidance from the Holy Spirit. Please pray for me……..
March 3, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I grew up in a Catholic church as a young girl. But my husband and I are members of a nondenominational church now. Believing that God is Superior, that he sent His Son into the world that we might live through him, believing in the Trinity and remaining in fellowship with others believers is whats important!
April 26, 2010 at 2:52 pm
I’m in a season where God has revealed to me it’s time to change churches. Last night was His confirmation, actually. It was amazing, and I felt great peace in my heart knowing it came from Him. He gave me His blessing to go forth and to just trust in Him. We’re still the body of Christ and just because we change churches doesn’t mean we cannot keep in touch with our brothers and sisters at our former home church. The ones who don’t reach back… well, you’ll find out who were really your friends, and who were just functional friends. The bottom line is, where can you grow with Christ the most and serve His people best?
It was a difficult decision for me, but I knew it was time to move on. I served there and gave it a lot of prayer and went into a one month commitment of whether I should stay or go… and in the end, the Lord revealed to me it was time to move on. Hallelujah… the Lord is good!
June 15, 2010 at 8:07 am
I realize that this post is fairly “old” but I was grateful to have found it! We are struggling with the consequences of our decision to leave the church we love. I really needed to hear from others who’ve experienced this. thanks.