If you leave a church, your out of Gods will ?

[areyourucky]

It seems over the years i noticed, that if you leave a church for any reason your told by some that your out of Gods will.
....... But when you find a new church your told again, that you in
Gods will your there. I heard Bro jeff arnold preach once againest pentecostal Popes once. He preached that it is gods will that even the lowerest member hear from God Direct. I hear many preach that you need to live for God on your own, but when you do, then you offend some when you do.
Any tips on this subject.

[Cindy]

Live for God wherever you are. There are some that can't go to church, and yet the live for God!!!!

[A.W. Bowman]

No matter what one does in life, or in church, you will not please everyone, nor even be accepted by most. If there is a “leading” of the Spirit to go, or to do something, then go and do it! Do not look for conformation in man’s opinions. It is nice when that happens, but we are admonished not to put our trust in any man (or woman, but in God alone.

For those who would say, “your out of God will.”, the simple response is to ask them what is God’s will concerning the lives and ministries of the other members of the congregation. That is, what is this individual’s history as a prophet among the assembly? If the person who is making such a statement concerning you and God’s will is in a leadership position, ask them for their reasoning (spiritual insight and knowledge) for making such a judgment. Are they looking out after your best spiritual interest (and that of those you might minister to) or are they looking out after “their own best interest”, as they perceive that to be?

There is a scriptural foundation for seeking out counsel prior to committing yourself to any course of action or undertaking up a new task. But, the counsel must be “wise counsel”, not just the gathering the opinions from those who have a vested self interest in influencing your decisions!

Finally, what great sin does the scriptures assign to an individual who goes out and actually tests what is perceived to be the leading (instruction) of the Holy Spirit? Who fears what you might discover by your stepping out in faith, and why do these people fear what you might discover? It could be our Lord will be clear and show you that you are NOT to make any changes in your life and/or life style. Will the expected response from your current church be, “See, we told you so!”? Or, will it be, “Thank God you listened to His voice, and welcome home.”? How would you respond if God told you no, don’t make any moves now? Could you handle that as well?

Now, search out your heart and make sure your motives are clear before God. Why are you thinking of making a move? Be honest with yourself. If your conscience is clear before God, and there remains a “spiritual pull” to make a change, then go for it! Test it! And, abide by the results as you understand them to be – in God’s eyes. You might be met with a great deal of hindrance – but do not use in-the-world resistance or circumstances as the standard of measurement, use the word of God and the witness of God’s Spirit to your spirit.

Now, go study and pray.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by A.W. Bowman

No matter what one does in life, or in church, you will not please everyone, nor even be accepted by most. If there is a “leading” of the Spirit to go, or to do something, then go and do it! Do not look for conformation in man’s opinions. It is nice when that happens, but we are admonished not to put our trust in any man (or woman, but in God alone.

For those who would say, “your out of God will.”, the simple response is to ask them what is God’s will concerning the lives and ministries of the other members of the congregation. That is, what is this individual’s history as a prophet among the assembly? If the person who is making such a statement concerning you and God’s will is in a leadership position, ask them for their reasoning (spiritual insight and knowledge) for making such a judgment. Are they looking out after your best spiritual interest (and that of those you might minister to) or are they looking out after “their own best interest”, as they perceive that to be?

There is a scriptural foundation for seeking out counsel prior to committing yourself to any course of action or undertaking up a new task. But, the counsel must be “wise counsel”, not just the gathering the opinions from those who have a vested self interest in influencing your decisions!

Finally, what great sin does the scriptures assign to an individual who goes out and actually tests what is perceived to be the leading (instruction) of the Holy Spirit? Who fears what you might discover by your stepping out in faith, and why do these people fear what you might discover? It could be our Lord will be clear and show you that you are NOT to make any changes in your life and/or life style. Will the expected response from your current church be, “See, we told you so!”? Or, will it be, “Thank God you listened to His voice, and welcome home.”? How would you respond if God told you no, don’t make any moves now? Could you handle that as well?

Now, search out your heart and make sure your motives are clear before God. Why are you thinking of making a move? Be honest with yourself. If your conscience is clear before God, and there remains a “spiritual pull” to make a change, then go for it! Test it! And, abide by the results as you understand them to be – in God’s eyes. You might be met with a great deal of hindrance – but do not use in-the-world resistance or circumstances as the standard of measurement, use the word of God and the witness of God’s Spirit to your spirit.

Now, go study and pray.

Well reasoned and well said, AW!

[RandyWayne]

I have been around enough to know that "Gods will" as it applies to what church you attend is directly proportional to the amount you give/tithe. At least according to other members/pastors of the church's in question.

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I have been around enough to know that "Gods will" as it applies to what church you attend is directly proportional to the amount you give/tithe. At least according to other members/pastors of the church's in question.

OUCH! Very cynical. Also very true, but cynical.

Six months ago, I would have said the exact same thing. And I do still believe it to be true in many cases, though I realize it is a broad brush statement. I found, though, that maintaining thoughts like this in my mind were poisoning my own walk with God and making me bitter. My family and I have survived years of spiritually abusive treatment. And, while I thank God for having been released from it (we moved on), I also thank God for having the testimony that I do - that God was still able to preserve us in the midst of it. Now, I know how to NOT treat people. And that, IMO, is an extremely valuable lesson.

We had many people tell us we were out of the will of God. People who thought (very vocally, I might add) that we were going to hell because it was a sin to leave the "church" where we were saved. Others just expressed that we were out of God's will for reasons they never specified. None of these people were in leadership positions, and none that I would regard as prophetic (or even spiritual, really). We earnestly sought the Lord for direction and listened to Him alone, though we did have some people we trusted for prayer support and godly counsel. We were patient and careful in our prayers and fastings, and He answered in unmistakable ways - each time with two or three witnesses. God is faithful. Wait on the Lord!

[commonsense]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I have been around enough to know that "Gods will" as it applies to what church you attend is directly proportional to the amount you give/tithe. At least according to other members/pastors of the church's in question.

There's just a bit too much truth to this. It also applies to the leeway given for adherence to "rules/standards". Say what you will, I've been there and observed that.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by commonsense

There's just a bit too much truth to this. It also applies to the leeway given for adherence to "rules/standards". Say what you will, I've been there and observed that.

There is another word for this: Politics

[Sabby]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I have been around enough to know that "Gods will" as it applies to what church you attend is directly proportional to the amount you give/tithe. At least according to other members/pastors of the church's in question.

HOLY mackerel! . R U sure you're not just bitter? lol

I was helping an org preacher with a HM work a few years ago, and when I told him it was the will of God for me to be leaving (getting married and moving on) he preached a tailor-made sermon to the church (about 15 people at the time). "The will of God is NOT location". You know, he was right on, but not in the way he meant it. The reason I mention this is because that same service he took up the offering, and as he pulled out his wallet began to lead the chorus, "Turn it over to Jesus, turn it over to Jesus, turn it over to Jesus, and you can SMIIIIIIILE, the rest of the day"! Dont' ask me how this relates to tithing, maybe it's the spirit of the thing.

[pastorrick1959]

we have some in our area that swap churches every 3 or 4 months..we call the grasshoppers. but for normal folks ,the advise i usally give is ask urself will i grow more spiriitually at that church ,if that answer is yes then go.!no then stay ..