- Pray.
- Let your current pastor know your thoughts before you decide to move to another church or city. Ask for his or her advice.
- Consider your motives. Is your desire to leave driven by sin, personal conflict, or disappointment? If it is a doctrinal issue, how significant is it?
- Do everything you can to repair any broken relationships.
- Consider all the «evidences of grace» you have seen in the life of the church—the moments where God is at work. If you cannot see any evidence of God’s grace, it is worth examining your heart again (Matt. 7:3-5).
- Be humble. Recognize that you don't have all the facts, and evaluate people and circumstances with mercy (give them the benefit of the doubt).
IF YOU GO…
- Do not divide the church (the Body of Christ).
- Be extremely careful not to sow discontent even among your closest friends. Remember that you do not want to harm their growth in grace in this church. Resist any urge to gossip (sometimes called "pouring out your soul" or "expressing your feelings").
- Pray for the church and its leadership and bless them. Look for practical ways to do this. If there is an offense, forgive—just as you have been forgiven.
