There are times God will call a person to leave a church. Maybe he or she has moved. Maybe God is repositioning him or her. Maybe the church has been spiritual abusive or teaches false doctrine.

The only reason a person should leave a church is if the Holy Spirit is the One leading.

Some of the wrong reasons to leave a church include offense, insubordination to church leadership, withdrawal from correction, running from change or restoration, self-promotion, noncommittal, disagreements, or fault-finding.  

If a person cares about Jesus and the advancement of His kingdom, that person will honor a local church with his or her words, action, and attitude.

Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

If a person cares about the people of a church, that person will be careful to sow seeds of unity, not discord. He or she will put the best interest of others above their own.

Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

If a person cares about the role of a leader and the sacrifices they make to serve others, that person will be careful to honor the leader in both private and public settings.

I Thessalonians 5:12-13 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

If God leads you to leave, care about the people you are leaving behind, the church, and the leadership. Here are ten ways to demonstrate your love and honor:

1.              Have a conversation with your pastor and get his or her blessing.

2.              When you leave, say goodbye. Don’t just disappear.

3.              Leave with an attitude of love and gratefulness. Don’t be critical or negative.

4.              Always work to find solutions and communicate if there has been conflict.

5.              Give notice and train someone else to take your place on ministry teams.

6.              Don’t leave carrying an offense, sharing offense, or posting the offense on social media.

7.              Leave with honor toward the authority that served you and continue to support them with respect in attitude, speech, and behavior.

8.              Maintain the relationships you built. Don’t burn bridges with your pastor and church family.

9.              Don’t pull other people to leave with you.

10.           Find another church family. God will never lead you to leave a place without placing you in another one.

Isaiah 55:12 “For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace.”