My social media groups for preachers have been alive the past few weeks with discussions about when someone should leave their Church. Apparently, a large group of pastors has drawn circles, saying that if you do not express an opinion about a particular topic they feel strongly about, then you, as a parishioner, should consider finding a new Church.

There are only three reasons when it becomes acceptable to leave a community of believers and find a new group.

First, when the leaders of the Church deny the authority of scripture. Whenever a group abandons the word of God, they are immediately headed away from Him.

Second, you need to leave if that faith community no longer believes that Jesus is the only source of salvation and faith in him is required to spend eternity with the Father.

Finally, I think it is acceptable to leave when that Church begins to endorse sin and neglects a message of repentance and transformation into Christlikeness. This is usually the result of people dismissing scripture and often leads to them rejecting Jesus. Whenever change for the sake of the Gospel is optional, then those people have abandoned the faith.

As a long-time Church leader, it breaks my heart to read online of so many people who are now changing their community of faith because of what their pastor did not say. It only serves to drive home the consumer mentality that exists in America. People tend to think that the Church is here to do what they want and do it their way. If it does not make them happy, then they will take their time and money and shop for a new Church elsewhere.

I spend countless hours praying and seeking God’s guidance in what I should say each week. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me into his holy word and give me something to say about Jesus and living for him. I will never do any less, and I firmly believe that is the accurate measure of a faithful Church, and nothing else.