What If My Church Has Compromised?

God hates compromise. It is hard to fully grasp this fact in an age of compromise.

Jesus warned the church at Ephesus that He would take His Holy Spirit out of that excellent church because they had lost their first love (Rev 2:1-7). That is severe!

Jesus warned the church at Laodicea that He was about to spew them out of His mouth for being lukewarm spiritually instead of either hot or cold (Rev 3:14-22).

We live in perilous times when most churches have compromised, just as Paul wrote to Timothy (II Tim 3:1 – 4:4), in order to be popular and keep carnal members happy.

What should you do if your church has compromised doctrine or practice? This is a very common question today, and the Bible provides you with inspired answers.

First, carefully listen to your church’s reasons for their position before drawing conclusions, for ready reception of truth is first for noble men (Acts 17:11; Pr 18:13).

Second, allow your church or pastor the liberty of church or pastoral judgment, just like you expect your wife or children to follow your liberties (Heb 13:7; Ezek 44:23).

Third, make sure your objection to their position is based only and thoroughly on clear statements of the word of God (Acts 17:11; Ps 119:98-100,128; Isaiah 8:20).

Fourth, respectfully submit your concerns to your pastor with your scriptures, preferably in writing, and allow him time to respond (Heb 13:17; II Kgs 2:23-24).

Fifth, know that a pastor has more in view than you do, and his experience in the word exceeds yours, so graciously consider his scriptural response (II Tim 3:16-17).

Sixth, if either he has not shown you the error of your thinking or you the error of the church’s practice, then explain your duty to separate (II Thess 3:6; Gal 1:6-9).

Seventh, if you must leave a church, then write a humble, kind, and respectful letter to the membership that appreciates them, honors the pastor, yet identifies the error.

This procedure should not be undertaken lightly or haughtily, but rather with great caution and prayer. By God’s grace He will lead you to a church without that error.