Are You Looking To "Change" Churches?

Christian friend, are you happy with the church
that you've been attending? If so, what is it that
keeps you going there? If not, why do you want
to consider leaving and looking for a place of
worship more suiting to your liking?
IF YOU'RE HAPPY where you're worshipping,
you should be thankful to God for the blessing
of being in a good church! You like the people
that you attend with. You like the pastor's
preaching and teaching styles and content.
You like the songs and hymns that are sung
together. You enjoy the special music that
graces the services, including the musicians
and their instrumental talents. You're in
touch with other members of the congregation
throughout the week - whether to share prayer
needs, or to just "check in" on each other in
a friendly and caring manner. The church is
alive and active, and growing or showing the
potential for growth. There is a positive,
upbeat atmosphere before, during, and after
the services, classes and activities - throughout
the daily life of the members, including the
leadership. You "feel" yourself growing in
things spiritual, especially in your knowledge
of the Word of God, the Bible.
GIVE THANKS DAILY!! God has you where
He wants you, and where you ought to be!
Sadly, though, there are some who are not
content where they have been attending.
I say "attending", because their worship has
been diminished by their uncomfortableness
due to a variety of influences: (1) the Pastor
doesn't preach like they'd like him/her to;
(2) the Pastor doesn't talk to them as long
as they think he should; (3) people in the
church give them "funny looks"; (4) they're
sure others "talk about them"; (5) after a
lot of years, they've never been elected or
appointed to a position of leadership or
power; (6) their ideas and suggestions are
rarely considered; (7) no one calls or comes
to visit; (8) they weren't included or invited
to a non-church get-together ; (9) they disagree
with how the money is being spent; (10) there
are too many sermons on tithing, giving,
missions, evangelizing, etc.
SO FRIEND, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? Or
should I ask "Who's the problem?" What have
you done to make changes for the better? Have
you prayed fervently for the church and Pastor?
Do you willingly take a back seat but still attend
and participate and give for functions and
activities? Do you tithe? Do you support missions?
Are you "friendly"? Have you invited others,
including the Pastor and his family to your house
for dinner, or to take them out to eat? Are you
loving? Do you gossip about the church and its
other members, instead of praying for them?
Is it possible that the new church that you may
find will have some of the same weaknesses and
faults? Might it be because you brought some
of them with you?
PRAY, SERIOUSLY PRAY, before thinking that
you should move to another place of worship!
Is it the church that needs changed, or is it YOU?
Yes, there are situations where things are not
being done properly and situations are not being
handled in godly/spiritual manners, and they may
not ever change - and God may, indeed, want to
move you to a church where your Christian life
is enhanced and your spirituality is fostered.
BUT BE SURE IT IS GOD LEADING YOU before
you make the wrong move. Maybe He wants
you to stay where you are now, and help to
affect the positive changes your current place
of worship needs!?!
"Changing churches" may not mean to alter
the geographic location of your Sunday service,
it may simply mean staying and helping to
make the "changes" that God wants here and
now, where you are "planted" for Him!