Change Church Homes
Never leave a church home because of offense or hurt without seeking reconciliation. Seek Biblical counsel and ask for help in resolving differences according to Matthew 18:15-17. Never seek to divide a church. Don’t try to gather people to your point of view and create sides in an argument. 1 Corinthians 1:10-11, 3:1-4, and
Titus 3:9-11 warn against divisiveness.
We believe God gifts believers with spiritual gifts to be used in service to His body and sets them in the body where He pleases. (1 Corinthians 12:27) When a gift is no longer needed or recognized in a local body, God may choose to move someone into another community of believers. When this happens, the member who is leaving should meet with the leadership of the church he/she is leaving and explain the reasons for leaving. The pastor should send them to the new church home with blessing. The pastor of the new church should meet with the member to confirm that there is no wound or offense being brought from the previous church.
How to Resolve Conflict
The Biblical pattern to resolve our differences is Matthew 18:15-17. We first talk in private to the one who offended us. If unresolved, include one or two witnesses or leaders. If there is still no resolution, the involved parties should seek help through pastors or elders. First Corinthians 6:1-7 rebukes Christians from suing one another in secular courts. Therefore, unresolved offenses should be resolved through binding Christian mediation and arbitration.