Just so we’re clear – I’m not telling you to stop going to church. I’m saying it may be time to stop going to THAT particular church.

So last time, we discussed the growth aspects of leaving a particular church. This time, let’s focus on the “people” aspect of church.

Let’s be honest. Sometimes, we aren’t that kind. And, it shows in the church. The reason we aren’t that kind or joyous or at peace or loving, forgiving, or patient, is because we are at church for the wrong reason. We do not allow the fruits of the Spirit to develop via the Holy Spirit because we are at church for our own selfish gain.

Perhaps we are there to be seen. We are there to network and to be able to toss out that we go to THAT church.

But again, what about Jesus? Yes, the choir stirs your soul. But are you living the words you are singing? Do you even desire to?

Two words for you: Stop pretending.

You hear it all the time, “I’m sold out for Jesus. I’m radical for Christ” – but only on Sunday with my church friends. Monday to Saturday…bars, booze, boys, and soul ties that we can’t break free from.

But actually, you can. And sometimes, it involves breaking up with people you fellowship with.

Where Does Jesus Fit in Your Church Attendance?

Of course, church involves fellowship and social interaction. But. What. About. Jesus? Your pride may say, “Of course, it’s about Jesus!” But that’s because we often like to believe the best about ourselves. We don’t see the things we do that block us from being like Christ or seeing Christ in others.

We ALL fall short. And, that’s what this is really about – seeking Christ in order to be more Christ-like.  Not just by the hymns and holy shouts at the House of Worship, but by our surrender to the Holy Spirit that dwells within.

And now, part 2 of the “Stop going to that church” self-exam. Remember, an F is not a failing grade – it’s an invitation to FIX IT, in the name of Jesus.

Stop going to that church…

…just because it’s popular.

Bragging rights are NOT of God. Miss Shirleen told y’all, “Be ye not puffed up” (about your fashions). But we can safely add your church home, your Pastor, or whatever. Do you want to name drop someone? Name drop Jesus. “Yeah, I know Him. That’s my right-hand Man!” (See what I did there?)

Note: It is okay to worship at a popular church. If the Word and teachings are Biblically sound, word gets out. But, members of some of the most popular churches are going to burn in the fires of hell because they wanted to be part of the “in” crowd, but never sought Jesus.

…just because you’ve been going there your whole life.

If your Spirit has been yearning for a new place to worship, but you won’t leave because your auntie, mama, and daddy go there, you may be missing what God has designed for you. Mama and Daddy will be fine if you leave. Auntie will, too. And, even if they aren’t…Go!

…that’s extra cliquish.

Jesus was inclusive. And, if your church culture keeps you from serving someone who doesn’t meet the criteria of cute-Christian-exclusive-coolness, you aren’t being like Jesus.

It’s not just about going out into the community, feeding the homeless, and going back home. It’s feeding your sisters and brothers who sit right next to you in the pews, who dress differently than you, or are a different color than you. Sometimes feeding is not physical food, but spiritual food – a kind word, an encouragement, and invitation. You can’t sit with us doesn’t work unless it’s Satan asking to be let in.

…just because the choir is bomb.

Lucifer was the director of music. He knows which things stir the soul. He knows music lulls you into feeling like you are closer to Jesus. But when the music stops, your feelings can go any which way. Don’t let that be your deciding factor. Let that be a perk of worshipping in Spirit and in Truth.

The Holy Spirit will let you know where to worship. He will send the invitation. It may come from the friend who’s always inviting you. It may come by a strong desire to walk into a particular church. Sometimes, it will come from your feeling of peace or from a discomfort that comes from being stretched. But you will know.

So, what’s the play call?

Move with the glory cloud – not with the glory crowd.

When God moved, Moses moved. The cloud covered them. The cloud provided light at night and shelter in the day. Your crowd of friends at your favorite church won’t do that. But the Holy Spirit will lead you to who will.

Peace.

Before I begin…

Let us not be gold medal Olympians in jumping to the wrong conclusion.

I am not telling anyone not to go to church.

I AM saying that where you worship could be a barrier that stops you from having a relationship with God. That is all.

(Kinda) Quick Story

Before I moved to the Midwest, I attended a megachurch in Brooklyn, NY. The pastor was well known and I enjoyed going because I learned and grew with each teaching. One Resurrection Sunday, I took my niece with me to service. (She loved to go with me because we would get pizza at Target afterward. She quit me on the Sunday after I told her we weren’t getting pizza every week.) Anyway, that day as we finished worship and got quiet, I heard the Lord tell me to leave the church. I was flabbergasted. THIS WAS MY HOME CHURCH! I had finally committed and was attending regularly!

But, I left.

This was troubling for many reasons. I had no church home. So I sat and I prayed daily. I watched live streams and YouTube videos of your pastor’s favorite pastors.  Maybe two months later, a group of people rang my doorbell. I wasn’t going to open. Initially, I thought they were Jehovah’s Witnesses. But they had on jeans and t-shirts – not the norm for my part of Brooklyn where JW’s wore long skirts and suits even in the summer heat.

So, I opened the door.

The leader of the group, the guy, tells me that there’s this church 4 blocks from my house and he tells me some other stuff about it, which the woman cosigns. They hand me a card. Then the guy said, “You don’t remember me, do you?” I didn’t. He identified himself.

Well. Let’s just say HE KNEW ME WHEN I WAS IN MY LOW DOWN DIRTY SIN! Ha! I should have been mortified, but I found it hilarious! Look at who God would use to tell me about a new church! I went for a few weeks, but my stint at that church was short-lived because it was difficult for me to adjust to the lack of anonymity that I was used to. So I left. Surely there was a happy medium.

Where Does God Want to Plant You?

The night before my birthday, I begged God to go to church. I really wanted to praise and worship and thank Him for a new year – in His house.

My nephew who has autism and a limited vocabulary looked at me and said the name of the church. I hugged and kissed that boy and the next day, I took my niece, and we had a great service. We even won a t-shirt and had pizza! It was one of my favorite birthdays to date.

God had clearly weaned me off of my dependence on my Pastor and taught me to seek His face and direction by the Holy Spirit! I didn’t know it at the time, but I see it now.

When I arrived in the Midwest, I went to the first mini-mega church I could find. I had my anonymity and could gradually get acclimated.

You know what God did right after that 8AM service? He sent me on a journey to a little church in the countryside where there are fewer people than at that church near my house in NY. When I sat in the pew on the first visit, I heard the Lord say, “This is your church.” Surprisingly, I had no qualms.  And, in the months that have passed, I see God is using me for His purposes. I couldn’t be happier.

What was the point of this? To help you see why YOU may need to stop going to THAT church…

Which Church?  THAT church…

• Where you KNOW God has told you to leave.
  • Your gift or ministry may be the answer to a prayer – somewhere else.
  • The call on your life may need to be developed in a new space.
  • OR, you may be the Jonah of the Body, causing unrest in your disobedience to leave.
• Where you are not encouraged or given tools to learn the Word of God.
  • Your Pastor can’t be the only one who knows the Word. You may end up worshipping him and drinking the Kool-Aid! You’ve got to learn the Word so you KNOW the truth!
• Where you feel comfortable in your sin.
  • Yes, we are all sinners. But, as Team Jesus, sin should make us UNCOMFORTABLE so as to push us to seek God for the change. If your church preaches forgiveness (which is beautiful, thank You Jesus), but not repentance, you may want to question where it is they desire for you to spend eternity.
• Where you “mentally leave the building” each week.
  • This is a side effect of going to the wrong church. Sometimes, you aren’t alert because you cannot receive the Word of God from the messenger. Go. Now.

Your home church is supposed to help you grow – not just teach you how to shout and show out. When you don’t grow, you often wonder why you’re still in the same condition you were in last year and the year before that.

For example, your money problems keep mounting because of how you handle money, not because there is a shortage. And, not necessarily because you sow or don’t sow. But, if your church just tells you to come to the front for a financial prayer and doesn’t offer financial counsel, or tell you that you have to surrender your heart and ask for wisdom, you gon’ be mad like you played your last $50 in the lottery and didn’t even get the Powerball.

Get your church right – get your relationship with Jesus right.

Until part two,

Selah.