There are only a few solid, biblical, and godly reasons for breaking fellowship with a local body of believers, and even then, there is a right and a wrong way to do it. Here they are:
- Moving out of the area, sent out by your church family with blessing and love, to unite with a church of like faith and practice in the new location.
- Being ordained/commissioned with blessing and love from said church to serve on the mission field or in another church of like faith and practice in need of your gifts. It should be confirmed among the body that this move is a call of God and not of an individual’s volition; however, the body must be careful not to be selfish and emotionally hold back the Lord’s anointed when He calls.
- Immorality or false doctrine that the church leadership and body fail to recognize, address, and discipline. Leaving at the first sign of disagreement or trouble is not healthy for the individual or the church to which you pledged your involvement.
I’ve heard a plethora of other reasons over the 45 years in church that get blamed on God’s leadership. But in every case, His aroma is nowhere near the hearts, attitudes, and/or tongues of those doing the departing.
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. ~Hebrews 13:18
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