What To Say To Church Members

Leaving for Poor Reasons

Article
08.21.2014

Let’s face it: there are better and worse reasons to leave a church. Are you moving to another city?
That’s a good reason. Are you harboring bitterness toward someone who has offended you? That’s a
bad reason. Does the church neglect to preach biblical sermons weekly? A good reason. Do you not
like the church’s style? Probably a bad reason.

The question is, how should you respond to a fellow member who is leaving for what sounds like a
bad reason?

The question raises a number of tough theological issues, such as how far the authority of the church
extends, or how much weight should be given to cultural preferences. There are also difficult pastoral
issues, such as knowing how to differentiate between a bruised reed and a fool.

But let me see if I can pack some of that theology into the form of practical counsel. Here are some
bad ways to respond to such a situation, combined with better responses:

Bad response: “Oh.” This is the non-response. This is the “I don’t care” or “I need your approval so
I’ll say nothing” response. I’m not saying that it’s never right to keep your mouth shut. I’m just
saying that fear-of-man or the failure-to-love should not be what’s motivating you to say nothing.

Better response: “Why are you leaving? Can I help you think through it?” Love takes an interest
and asks questions. Love recognizes that we’re responsible for the discipleship of our fellow
members, and it investigates. Love does not fear having people not like you. It’s willing to ask the
awkward question or offer the risky counsel for their good.

Bad response: “You’re not allowed to leave.” Jesus did not give churches authority to keep people
from leaving and joining another church. He did give them the authority to discipline a professing
Christian for unrepentant sin, but unless you’re ready to discipline, I don’t think your church has the
authority to insist that they stay. That said, I do think it’s legitimate to say “no” to a resignation when
an individual has no plans to join another church. That is a case of walking into unrepentant sin.

Better response: “Unless the church is moving toward discipline, you are free to leave.” You
don’t have to tell a person leaving for a bad reason that they are wise to do so. But I do think we must
remember that it’s allowed.

Bad response: “Your reasons for leaving are immature.” Again, I would not say you should
never, ever say this. But generally speaking, it’s preferable to help someone acquire a better
understanding of what to value in a church rather than scold them for valuing the wrong things.
Better response: “As you look to God’s Word, how have you been helped to think about what to
look for in a church?” Help them to see that God’s Word places a priority on things like preaching
the Word, centering everything on the gospel of Christ, and wise and loving leadership. Also, help
them to see that our churches are families, where we take ownership of one another’s discipleship to
Christ. They are not country clubs, where we come and go for the benefits.

Bad response: “Well, you can’t be friends with everyone.” If you discover they have unreconciled
relationships or long-harbored grievances, you don’t want to help them paper it over. Such
things are a big deal. They should be addressed. That’s not to say every broken relationship can be
fixed this side of heaven. A person might have wisely determined that a certain relationship cannot
be fixed. Still, they should not run away from trouble, either.

Better response: “I’d strongly encourage you to seek to reconcile those relationships before
deciding whether or not to leave.”

Bad response: “What can we adjust in our church for you?” Sometimes people are just not going
to like your church. Sometimes they are going to be annoyed and even angered by petty things. And
it’s not the church’s job, or a pastor’s job, to pacify every complaint. Our top priority is not to be
liked. That’s not how biblical leadership works. At some level, a pastor needs to understand that it’s
okay for people to leave, and to not be afraid of this possibility. If he feels personally threatened
whenever someone wants to go elsewhere, he may want to examine his own heart.

Better response: “Maybe another church would be a better place for you to grow.” And it really
might be! Praise God he has more churches in your town than just yours! If people are leaving for
immature reasons, you might encourage them to reconsider; but you also might affirm your love for
them, tell them they’re welcome to come back, and bless them as they go.

Link: https://www.9marks.org/article/what-to-say-to-church-members-leaving-for-poor-reasons/ [Last

Accessed 15th January 2018]