There has been a great deal of movement in the house of God these past few months. Really, it’s been about a year or so. It started as a trickle and now it seems like a mass exodus - people are changing churches, starting new ones, leaving the church as we often think of it, and starting home groups. It can be exhilhirating for some; absolutely terrifying for others. Change can be hard, especially for those “left behind.”
I think in the middle of such seasons, it’s important to remember that God plants the members of the body. We are ONE body; the Body of Christ. You are not kicked out of the body based on which denomination you choose, or which pastor you follow. And, just as He plants us, He sometimes calls us out of one house to plant in another.
When we first came to The Rock, I was extremely comfortable and happy at my church, New Light. I loved it, loved the people, loved serving. I drove 45 minutes one way to get there. In no way was I dissatisfied. But, God kept nudging me to visit The Rock Church, and one sunny day I did. I cried the entire time, sat glued to my seat for two full services (not even moving in between), and knew I was being called INTO that house.
Now for others, there might be a slight dissatisfaction. Or, an offense might come. Sometimes God has to allow something to happen in order to get us to move in direction He wants us. Now, that is not to say that every time you are unhappy or offended you need to move, because then you would be changing churches every Sunday. My greatest growth has been through dealing with offense appropriately and allowing myself a shift in perspective (or at least, additional grace for others in their own journey). But, certainly, He can also use dissatisfaction to move us out of our comfort zone.
At the end of the day, we all need to keep Christ and His mission at the forefront of our daily lives – loving people and sharing God’s love and purpose with those around us. How He chooses to work that out looks different for each one of us. Don’t put God in a box and think there is just one way – the only way that’s important is following Jesus – the rest will follow.
Don’t let change move your spirit. Stay grounded in where you know God has called you and serve in the way He has designed you to. Do not allow another’s dissatisfaction to cause you to doubt, but rather always wait upon the Lord to answer your questions. No man holds the keys to your spiritual future. Refuse to give in to gossip and strife, but stay rooted and grounded in love. THAT is how we will change our churches – from the inside out.
This is spot on, Heather. I have always felt that it is no use trying to find a church home where you are totally comfortable — #1, it doesn’t exist, and #2, how will God grow you? For me it is more a matter of trying to figure out where God needs to grow me and finding a church that stretches me in that area.
I have heard so many fabulous things about The Rock. I want to visit sometime to see what all the hubbub is about
I remember when I had just moved back here in 1997, ahead of Shane, because my dad was dying of cancer. I was visiting churches looking for places to bring Shane when he arrived in a few months. I visited Antioch one Sunday; it happened to be a week when nearly the entire service was a jazz combo playing instrumentals of old hymns and gospel standards. I remember that being just exactly what I needed at that time. It was like God took his finger and reached in and touched my heart. I was weeping out sorrow and weeping in peace through the entire service. Even though it was not the right fit for our church home, God brought me there on that particular Sunday to give me catharsis and to bolster and renew my spirit. God knows and loves us so so so very much. It is so wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need and wants to give it to us.
Kristin – it would be lovely if you ever wanted to visit us!
Antioch is a great church, too – I have some friends who attend there and have for years. It’s such a blessing to know He is so careful with us, isn’t it?? There is no greater gift than to walk with our amazing and gracious God. 
Thank you so very much for sharing, Kristin!!