Faithful to the Church

     Over the years, like most of us, I have learned some very important lessons in life. In fact I would go so far as to say I have had life changing lessons. Many years ago, while I was in the first church that I regularly attended, I started to develop convictions that were contrary to the teachings and directions of that church. With much prayer my wife and I, who were both young in the faith, realized that it wasn't pleasing to God to stay in a church that we believed was compromising truth. So, we left that church (we'll call this church #1). There were some who disagreed with our decision and told us so. This is were we heard the now famous line, ”There is no such thing as a perfect church”. I must admit as a young believer I saw the merit in such a statement.

     Not too much later my wife and I found another church to call home (we'll call this church #2) . We were very pleased with it and learned a great many foundational truths there. We were there for a few years. It was at this time I felt “the call” to preach. So, I enrolled in Bible College. I also decided to temporarily leave church # 2, where we were so happy, in order to do a summer internship at another church in our neighborhood (church #3). However, after the summer was over, we decided to stay on to help the struggling pastor of church #3. The church we left (church #2) was supportive of the decision. Are you confused yet?

     After being in church #3 for a few years we started noticing some things that really bothered us. I was a deacon now and I saw more than ever what went on behind the scenes. I was very bothered by some ungodly behavior and compromise. At this point in my walk with Christ I had gained even more convictions and God was leading me down this road by teaching me through experience. Not experience alone mind you. But experiences that lead to dependence on God, which leads to deeper study of His Word. I knew we had to leave church #3. Only, with this church we were attacked. The pastor of the church was afraid that my leaving might send the wrong message to the congregation. But we were also confronted by another “faithful church member” who asked me a very telling question. This man asked me if I could show him from the Scripture why I am leaving the church. A scriptural reason to leave or else I shouldn't leave. He was being very hostile toward me. Needless to say, I felt I owed him no explanation at all.

     After leaving church # 3 we were very sad. Yet, we were always taught how important it was to be in church, so we started looking again. After visiting several churches we found a small church that caught our eye. The young pastor and his wife seemed to be sweet people who had a heart for God and strong biblical convictions. We waited six months or so then decided to join church # 4.

     We enjoyed church # 4 for quite some time. I taught Sunday School and preached fairly regularly. As time went on (time reveals many things) we began to notice the pride and hot temper of the pastor. I made the mistake of confronting the young pastor about these issues. He didn't take it well. I was attacked by the pastor and my name was slandered throughout the church, and to five local churches, as well as to the seminary which I was attending at the time.

     We were crushed. This young, and arrogant pastor was doing everything in his power to make my name mud. Needless to say we left church #4.

     This was one of the most difficult times of our lives. We were devastated and didn't know what to do. Very few people stood with us. There were few who understood our plight. Except, of course, for those whom God had chosen to take a similar road. Yes, we were shunned by some. But it was at this point in our lives that God transformed our thinking about church. He opened up our eyes and freed us from the unbiblical practices and teachings of most modern churches in America.

     Now, without opening a big can of worms, for there are many things that I have learned during this time. I only choose to discuss one issue in this article. Faithfulness to the church.

     While visiting a church I went up to the information desk to ask for a doctrinal statement and other information about the church. At the desk sat a dear little old woman to whom I made my request. She told me that they were out of doctrinal statements, but wanted to assure me that this church was a good church. She continued, “I have been here for 35 years”. I thanked her and walked away with but one thought, “So what?”. So what if she had been in that church for 35 years? That tells me nothing. If I have learned one thing over the many years, it is that many people are “faithful to the church”. Many exalt this as some great virtue. My argument in this article is that this is no virtue at all.

     I know plenty of people who have been Christians for as long as me or longer and have always been members of the same church. Is there anything wrong with this? No, not at all. As long as you aren't there for the wrong reason. Here are what I consider wrong reasons to stay:

• I was a charter member of this church. I'm not leaving for anything.

• All of my friends are here.

• My kids would be devastated if we had to leave.

• I will not be known as a “church hopper”.

• I can't do this to the pastor.

• What would that young Christian think if I left? He would be confused.

• What will my non-christian friends and family think?

• This is MY church! I'm not leaving.

• I'm waiting for this ungodly pastor to leave some day.

• My kid's go to school here.

• This church has the best programs for kids.

     Friends, God doesn't want you to be faithful to the church. He wants you to be faithful to Him. Sometimes these two things are in conflict with each other. I believe there are many people who spend their whole lives being faithful to the church, and have never been faithful to the Lord Himself. It's easier to do that. Commitment to the Lord is full of hard decisions.

     No doubt, for many of you, the verse that you have been bludgeoned with is popping in your head.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

     We should assemble but never at the cost of truth. This verse today has come to mean much more than it ever could have been intended to mean. This is not a command to be at the church every time the doors are open. As is taught in many churches. But to encourage believers to assemble and encourage each other in the Lord. You are not in violation of this verse if you stop going to a church that compromises truth. God is never pleased with compromise. It is true, “there is no such thing as a perfect church”. Oh, how many sins, and compromises are made with such reasoning. You can justify anything that goes on in a church with that line of thinking. If you are faithful to God, then none of the reasons given above will stop you from doing what is right.

     I recently read a biography of Aurthur W. Pink. Pink would be in many people's minds a church hopper. He spent much of his life going from church to church because he was a man of conviction. He would join a church until it made changes in the wrong direction. Or until the organizations for which it was affiliated with went wrong. Pink had many admirers but few close friends. His faithfulness was not in an organization, in a building, or in a pastor. Pink was faithful to the Lord.

     We must examine whether or not we are true to Christ or true to the wrong thing. I am certain that there is many a church member and many a pastor who will say, Lord, Lord, did we not bring doughnuts in your name, and in your name drove kids to Awana and gave lots of money to the building program? 

What do you think will be the Lord's answer?

     I conclude with this thought. There may come a time when you are faced with that tough decision on whether or not to leave the church you are in. Don't make any decision without much prayer. But when the time comes don't hesitate to do what is right. There are enough people who are stuck in churchianity. It's not always easy to do right. Some day you may even find yourself unable to find a good church. If that day comes will you settle or will you stand for Christ?