CHURCH HOPPING & SHOPPING

I remember hearing a story about Charles Stanley when he was asked, "What the number one reason people leave your church?' His response was raw and real. Stanley replied, "They say we are not deep enough." Wait, what?!?!?! Charles Stanley? The incredible Bible teacher, pastor, and author is not deep enough. That's crazy. But that makes me feel really good. If people can leave Charles Stanley's church back in the day, then they probably will leave your church and my church too.

NORMALIZE PEOPLE LEAVING.

People are going to come and go - that is just a fact. As a pastor, you may not like it but you must get used to it. It is part of church leadership. People come and people go. The only thing you can do is continue to be faithful to the calling God has placed on you.

I remember when we first started the church and people that came to help us left our church. It hurt deeply. But a dear friend of ours Jeannie Munsey said, "Serve with open hands." Be faithful to who God brings you and if/when they leave release them. Let them go with a blessing. You may not like when people leave, but let them go with your support. And {gulp} even if you don't believe they are making the right decision.

OUTLET MALL FAITH

So, in my 29 (1996) years of ministry I have served in various roles, but it is only over the last 17 years I have served as a Lead Pastor. But something has shifted over the last couple of years for us. As a church, we started to notice more people using our church for supplemental ministry, even though they attend another church, or people from our church running to other churches for what we don't provide. Supplemental ministry are things like youth ministry, small groups, bible studies, or conferences. I spoke with someone recently who attends another church, but sends their high school students to our youth ministry and their younger children to Royal Rangers ministry at another church.

Some Christians seem to treat their spiritual growth like an outlet mall. They jump from church to church, or "store to store," to get what they want from a variety of places. They want a variety of products, but they don't value being planted. Scripture declares, "Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God" (Psalm 92:13 - NKJV). Planted means planted. You don't uproot a plant each week into a new planter. The plant would become unhealthy and eventually die because the roots would get damaged.

If people are continually jumping from church to church eventually their spirituals roots will get damaged too.

Three Compelling Reasons to Stay Committed to a Local Church

1. Community and Connection

Being part of a local church fosters deep relationships and a sense of belonging. In a world that can often feel isolating, your church community provides support, encouragement, and accountability.

Together, you can celebrate joys, share burdens, and grow in faith alongside one another.

2. Spiritual Growth and Discipleship

Your local church is a vital resource for your spiritual development. Through teachings, small groups, and various ministries, you have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of Scripture and cultivate your relationship with God.

Staying involved allows you to engage in discipleship and learn from others on their faith journeys.

3. Impact and Service

You can do more through your local church than you can do on your own. We need the larger community of people to make the impact that this world needs. The capacity of the church is bigger than the capacity of an individual.

Getting locked in to a church will help you make a bigger difference in the world we live in. This faith is better done together than solo.

Pastors, yes normalize people are going to live, but never let it stop breaking your heart. We are called to love, lead, and bleed for our sheep. Pray for faithfulness.

Non-pastors, stay loyal to your local church. Share your churches content more than a celebrities posts. Give, attend, and serve your church. Pray for fruitfulness.

This is not the time to jump ship, but to stay in the fight of faith - alongside your church, pastors, leaders, and members.