Yesterday I had the privilege of hearing Francis Chan speak to a group of local pastors.  Francis told his story of recently leaving his very successful ministry (Cornerstone Church, Simi Valley, CA) and choosing to give the next few years of his life to living with the poor.  It was a deeply challenging talk centered on living a life that listens to God’s voice, takes courageous steps of faith and is willing to sacrifice many of the things that make life easier.  You can watch his brief story here.

A couple times, Francis made mention to “when I decided to leave the church”, and after a hearing more of his story I couldn’t help but think that Francis left his position in the church to actually join THE Church in a much deeper and biblical way.  He’s choosing to BE the church in a way that he feels God is calls Christians to…

Later in the day, I began to ponder our vision of Hearing…Being…Serving and then asked myself what needs to always be happening in my heart in order to live the kind of life where being the church is more important than the title I have in our church. It turns out that you don’t have to be a pastor to be challenged by these things as they should speak to everyone who strives to be a Christ-follower.

In a Jeff Foxworthy, “You know you’re a redneck if…” sort of way, I want to share some thoughts about how “you know you should leave the church if…” and ask you to prayerfully consider areas in life and faith where God might be nudging you to move into a faith of greater sacrifice and commitment to being disciples of Christ. 

Please keep in mind when I say “leave the church”, I mean depart from any lies, comforts or un-biblical beliefs that keep you from being the church in a way where nothing is more important than becoming disciples of Jesus and modeling the Kingdom of God in your everyday living.

You know you should leave the church if…

• Teachings are exclusive to your private growth and not for you to use in helping others grow.
• Church programs are the be-all in teaching our kids or teens about God.
• You believe people can’t truly belong to a church community unless he/she believes the right things.
• Church is more about where you go rather than the people you learn to live out your faith with.
• Evangelism is a “gift” only certain people have. Therefore, I don’t have a role in it.
• It’s not a real church until it has its own building.
• You’ve come to believe that serving and giving are optional.
• Someone told you your story doesn’t matter and you believed them.
• The grace of God is no longer central to your faith.

Grace and Peace

Rex