Help for Those Transitioning Churches

Community, Uncategorized | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

As we’ve continued to grow and mature as a church we’ve seen an increasing number of people transition from other area churches to join what God is doing among us. Perhaps you’re one of them. We’re so glad you’re with us. There are lots of reasons for changing churches and every story is unique; some motivations are godly and right, while others are neither. However, all told, the vast majority of you have done so thoughtfully, prayerfully, amidst much counsel. Thank you. It’s rarely an easy decision to change churches, no matter the reason. 

Over the last few years, I’ve watched some transition really well while others really struggle. Therefore, I’m writing to offer some help and guidance in how to best navigate this season as you find your place among us as, we hope, your new church family. 

#1 You belong to Jesus.

As a follower of Jesus, first and foremost, you belong to Him (1 Cor 3:3). This is where it starts. One of the Apostle Paul’s favorite terms for Christians was to refer to them as being “in Christ”. In other words, to be a Christian is to belong to Jesus, to be hidden in Him (Col 3:3). We are not our own but have been bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19). By nature of belonging to Jesus, we are justified, adopted, forgiven, declared righteous, made new creations and more. Stunning. So, our status before Jesus is deeply personal, yet not only personal. 

#2 To belong to Jesus is to belong to His people, the church.

We are saved by God, in Jesus, to not only belong to Him but to His people. This isn’t an abstract “I’m-part-of-the-invisible-universal-church” type of belonging, but belonging to a real, flesh-and-blood, imperfect, local community of fellow believers. There are no examples of followers of Jesus in the Bible that lived separate from the local church. In fact, over and over again, the scriptures use various metaphors to highlight that our relationship to Jesus is not merely individual but corporate (e.g. citizens of the same kingdom, parts of the same body, stones of the same temple, members of the same family, etc). God chose these metaphors to describe a brand new people. In other words, the Christian life was never intended by God to be lived alone, but in real, vital, committed relationship with other followers of Christ in the context of a local church. Because of these profound realities, we should be committed to our church through thick-and-thin. 

#3 However, there are good reasons to change churches.

While every Christian is called by God to be passionately committed to a specific local church, there are reasons to consider changing churches. In some cases, the change is simply due to (1) moving, or (2) feeling called to participate in a different gospel work, or  (3) personal theological convictions. In other cases, the change is to due sin within the church, where (1) maybe the pastors and/or leaders have morally disqualified themselves (1 Tim 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9) or (2) fallen into false teaching. In most cases, I would encourage you hang in there, be patient, talk to the leadership, pray and extend grace. I hope you would do that for us. But if, after doing so, there is no change, it may be best to leave. 

#4 You’ll fit right in, no matter where you are. 

I know the timidity and awkwardness that comes with trying to find a new church family. Its easy to feel like an outsider and often difficult to know exactly where you fit. Where do I fit if I’m not a Christian and still exploring Jesus’ claims? Where do I fit if I’m a new Christian or have just come back to Jesus? Where do I fit if I’ve been walking with Jesus for decades? What are these people thinking about me? Do I have a place here? The church is one of the few places on the planet where you should fit in, no matter where you are. 

As a church, we not only want to see new conversions, we want to see everyone mature in Christ. The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 1:28-29, says it this way: “Him we proclaim, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” What was he about? What did he toil after? How did he channel his energy? What was his goal? What got him out of bed in the morning? Did you see it? Presenting everyone – everyone – mature in Christ. New conversions? Absolutely. Growing baby Christians? Yes. Awakening sleepy Christians? Please. Maturing mature Christians? For sure.

That means the heart of God is for everyone – believers and non-believers – to grow in knowledge of him, through faith in Jesus. We’re not just about reaching non-believers. We’re not just about reaching believers. We’re about presenting “everyone mature in Christ” – whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or recently transitioned. In other words, we’re not only about the Spirit’s regeneration (i.e. new conversions) of individuals. We’re ultimately about the Spirit’s final glorification (i.e. ultimate maturity in Christ) of individuals – to that end we toil, pray, evangelize, preach and disciple. So, if you’re just joining us, you’ll fit right in – wherever you are in the process.

#5 Let Jesus carve out a new reality for you as you join us. 

To transition well, you’ll need to set aside expectations and past hurts, while allowing Jesus to create a new reality for you among our newly-forming church. Every church is different. Every church is imperfect. Every church has its strengths and weaknesses. When transitioning it can be really easy to compare. Compare people. Compare preaching. Compare music. Compare size. Compare resources. Compare leadership. Don’t let the enemy play that game in your heart. It only leads to dissatisfaction and discontent. If Jesus has led you to join what he is doing among us, then jump in with an open heart and open hands. Every local church is a unique work of the Spirit. Don’t try to fabricate what you had in the past, but let Jesus create a new reality for you among us. 

#6 Take your time, but not too much. 

If you’re hurt or burnt out, then take some time to heal. We can wait. We know some wounds take more time to heal than others. Please let us know if you would like to talk and walk through anything you’ve experienced. But don’t take too long. I say this with deep love and understanding, some of you who have been with us for many months now are taking too long to re-engage. We’re sympathetic to your pain and understand that re-engaging with a church community, after being hurt, can be difficult. It’s a step of faith, to be sure, and we want to walk alongside you in that. We’re redeemed to belong, and a big part of your healing will only happen as you grow in relationship with others who are pursuing Jesus with you. Join a community. Become known. Get involved in the stories of others. Put a photo on your City user account. Participate in discussions on the City. Sign-up to serve. Be consistent in gathering with the church on Sunday. Invite others over for dinner or to watch the game. Join the church for its monthly prayer nights. Enter into the life of our church expectantly. Become an active participant in what Jesus is doing among us, not merely a casual, distant observer. [paragraph modified 10.21.14]

#7 Beware of bitterness, practice forgiveness and assume the best.

If you’re transitioning churches locally, more often than not, something very negative took place that caused you to make such an important change. That’s not always the case, but it often is. Situations like that are the breeding ground for bitterness, so we must be careful that it doesn’t take root in our souls (Heb 12:15). That means you’re going to have choose to forgive (maybe even daily), remember how much Jesus has forgiven you, and enter this new season of life with fresh faith. 

• Don’t let your past experiences color your view of Jesus’ bride, the church, or its leaders.
• Don’t let your past experiences lead you to become jaded about God and the things of God. He is able to use even the worst of seasons, for your good (Rom 8:28).
• Don’t let your past experiences cause you to lose hope. Jesus is your hope – and he can’t be lost.
• Don’t let your past experiences lead you to self-protect because you don’t want to get hurt again. Jesus is your refuge so you don’t have to be.

You can put your guard down. No one expects you to walk this out over night, but I do invite you to start walking it out. You might find that you fall in love with Jesus’ church again – or for the first time. 

#8 You are loved, by Him, and us. 

Know that you are radically loved by the God of the universe, in Jesus – and us. Wherever you are at, or wherever you’re from, you’ll fit right in. Welcome, friends. We are Downtown Cornerstone and we hope you’ll join this family of redeemed rebels as we continue to follow the King, together, wherever He leads. 

Christ is all! 
Pastor Adam