In Christ we are members one of another, and that identity is fulfilled in and through us as we love and serve God with our fellow congregational members. “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it”(I Corinthians 12:27 NLT).
How to Leave a Congregation Where One Has Been a Member
“The Way You Leave One Room is the Way You Enter Another Room”
Guidance for Constructive Transition
Assess your reasons
- Are they preferences or conveniences as a consumer?
- Are they biblically based and sound?
- Are they politically based?
Communicate with appropriate leadership
- In discerning your direction
- To honor relationships
- To express gratitude for those who invested in your life
Identify the problem or issue (In instances not occasioned by natural circumstances, e.g., relocation, invitation to serve elsewhere)
- Own one’s part of the problem
- Give helpful feedback for those who remain, given there is openness to doing so
Leave with grace
- If confirmed through conversations with appropriate responsible persons
- Communicate; do not just disappear
- As is possible, prepare someone to be ready to take your place in responsibilities you have carried
- Consider requesting a letter of transfer
- Pursue identification with another congregation
- Take time for closure and transfer conversations as noted above
Align with another local congregation
- Align with mission and vision
- Build relationships
- Choose to do God’s work together
