Quitting the Organized Church??

"I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority." 3 John 9


The picture here is symbolic for many: the local church has fallen into dis-repair so we are leaving to do our own thing.


I have been tempted to join the massive band-wagon of folks who are rejecting the organized local church and striving to get back to something "more pure and holy" or first-centuryish. Those that are leaving include evangelical Christians from various denominations as well as those who are on the fence regarding Jesus. Here is some current thinking by a boat load of people as to why they are abandoning the local church. I will list them, comment on them, and then write why Christians should not and must not abandon the local church.


1. The leaders are nothing more than CEO's and many of them are making too much money and/or building their own kingdoms.
2. Organized religion is not of God. We need to get back to the grass roots of kingdom work.
3. The local church has been swallowed up by consumerism and materialism, watering down the truth in some cases and in others building massive complexes that cost millions of dollars.
4. The church is not about the four walls of a building but about the people.
5. We are gonna meet in homes and do away with titles like Pastor and an authority structure.
6. Where two are three are gathered in Jesus' name is the church. We don't need a building.
7. All the church does is ask for money and they don't spend it wisely.
8. The church is just a social club where people can meet, play a game for an hour or so, and then get back to what is important in their lives.
9. I have gifts and talents that are not noticed or used because I am an outsider or the more popular people are utilized for everything.
10. The church just markets itself instead of doing any real fishing for people or ministry to the needy. There is even a website entitled "Church marketing sucks."
11. Everything in the local church is micro-managed by the elite.


Ok, these are just a few reasons. I would like to hear others. Email me if you have them. I must say I can agree with many of the comments above. So what do we do? Consider the following:


1. Remember that the organized church is biblical. All attempts to meet in fellowship and abandon structure end up structured! Or they fail.
2. There is no escaping that God established the idea of "local church" and He set it up with an authority structure. These are called by God shepherds or overseers.
3. In the New Testament their are tons of local churches and most of them had problems such as: materialism, false teaching, leaders gone bad, sexual immorality, divisions, social clubism, etc. What we are seeing as problems in the churches today is nothing new.
4. Can we really get away with saying that the church exists where two or three or gathered together in His name? I have my doubts.
5. Do not judge house churches too harshly. But they do need leaders and they need to be serious about doing the work of God, rather than a gathering of disconcerted folks who have left one form of organized religion for another.
6. If you believe you have spiritual gifts that are not being utilized meet with leaders in your local assembly and discuss it.
7. Do not neglect meeting together with the local church as this will result in your falling away into false doctrine, neglect of love and good works, and other things.
8. Remember this verse from Hebrews: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
9. Meet with the leaders of your local church if you think the church is departing from biblical foundations. Complaining about it to others will only lead to bitterness and division and perhaps other bad things-- with zero accomplished.
10. Take some initiative and form a small group in your church.
11. There is more than likely a very good local church within an hour of where you live.
12. If you are not following Jesus and do not believe the Scriptures then perhaps leaving the local church is a great idea for you.
13. If you are unhappy about the financial spending of your church designate your gift to a certain area of the church budget. This may not make some pastors happy though!
14. Get back to the grass roots of God's kingdom work. Learn and do the heart of God regardless of what your local church may be doing.
15. Jesus loves the church with a capital C but also local churches. He established them did He not?
16. Is God too small to fix broken local churches?
17. Know what the Bible teaches before making rash decisions. Things are fairly clear.
18. Decide to follow what the Bible teaches before making rash decisions.
19. Substituting TV or internet church as your sole spiritual food and fellowship is not biblical.
20. Remember that until Jesus comes back the local church will be swamped with problems. 21. People in the local church need you. Will you give yourself to God and them for service?
22. Seek to challenge and motivate the local church to action. Let's not be content to just sing and study the Bible.