So my husband has been going to our church since 2001 and I have been there since 2005 when we got married and I moved here.

Over the past I would say 2 years we have had very brief conversations about feeling uncomfortable or feeling like we didn't fit in but stuck with it. Last April we decided to leave, based on the fact that again, we felt like we didn't fit in, but also because we were expecting our first child and that added another layer of feeling like we didn't fit in, there aren't many young families. There were other issues we couldn't quite put our finger on. Ultimately, after talking to our pastor we decided to stay.

Well, the church has had SERIOUS financial issues (120+ year building is BADLY deteriorating and the money from the inner city church can not keep up with the maintenance and repairs), and there is a general lack of motivation from much of the congregation, it is very hard to get people to contribute time to the ministry.

As a result, the pastor gave sort of a 6 month ultimatum at the annual meeting in January. In the beginning of April, at a special church meeting he announced that he regretted doing that and that this had nothing to do with that (doubtful) but that he was being called to another church in the area and would be leaving (effective in 4 months as per church by laws).

We struggled with this. The transition will be VERY hard. I honestly don't know if the ministry will survive, it is weak though there are some wonderful Godly people there. I expect that it will be VERY hard to call a new pastor, it will be asking a lot of a new pastor to take on a church in such turmoil (financially and spiritually). I think it may take years, based on my previous experiences in churches searching for a pastor and I'm not sure how the congregation will do with no leader for that long (though one member who has been to Bible college may be willing to step up as a part time interim)

We have decided to leave. It's not just based on the pastor leaving but the ministry is somewhat failing and we have had a hard time with that in the past. Also, with a new little one I have to think about her future and there is not a good kids program. That has never been a priority at the church. There are a lot of bad influences and no one to try to reign them in (even the ones who have parents at the church are often allowed to skateboard and hang out in the parking lot and sit in the back row talking, texting and playing video games during service, and these are not just older teens, some are as young as 11 or 12!). The children's Bible education has never been a focus or priority either. It just doesn't seem important for kids at the church to learn Biblical truths.

At the same time as this is going on I have been going to a playgroup at a church in our town that is bigger and has some great ministries and have really gotten to know some of the women (including the pastor's wife). We are sort of feeling called to attend there. I don't think it is coincidence that I found that playgroup at this time.

We will complete our obligations at our current church (I am the nursery coordinator and am on the schedule till this week and will put out a new one for the next 3 months and my husband teaches the teens on Wed nights through the end of June) and we will probably leave the first week in July. It is heartbreaking, we do love many of the people there but feel that God is calling us to move on at this time.

Thanks to any still reading this looooonnnnggg post. Please be praying for us as we remain in God's will. :praying:

Sounds like a hard decision. I will remember you in my prayers,

That is def hard. But it sounds like you have some clear affirmation. Be prepared for Satans attack. He may use some of the less spiritually grounded in your current fellowship. Some people can be pretty nasty when they are convicted. Will be praying for you.

That is def hard. But it sounds like you have some clear affirmation. Be prepared for Satans attack. He may use some of the less spiritually grounded in your current fellowship. Some people can be pretty nasty when they are convicted. Will be praying for you.

:praying::praying:

Michelle, I think you're handling this situation in the most amicable way possible. I commend you for wanting to complete your obligations before moving on. May the Lord give you guidance and grace to find a new church home. :praying:

Michelle, I think you're handling this situation in the most amicable way possible. I commend you for wanting to complete your obligations before moving on. May the Lord give you guidance and grace to find a new church home. :praying:

ditto! and i will keep you and your family in prayer!

Yep! I agree with Vanna! Do what you have to do, stay positive! I pray too that the Lord gives you direction in finding a new church home.

:praying::praying::praying::praying:

Thank you all! Hubby and I were talking about the whole thing in the car today. On Sunday a woman in our current church who babysits Anna on occasion caught me off guard and asked me straight out if we were leaving. We have not told anyone yet and I hesitated. She pressed the issue and I admitted to her that yes, we are. :( This is the part we both hate about the whole thing. We do love people there! Chad will tell the man who will likely be unofficially leading the church going forward probably in the next week.

Since I told this woman I have had some doubts, I think just because I am uncertain how to handle the questions but after talking to Chad I am more sure. I know that this is the right decision for us. My heart breaks for the church we are leaving. One of 2 things will happen; the church will close, or it will drastically change. There is not really any other option, to stay as is would cause it to continue the downward spiral it it in. :(

I am not looking forward to people's reactions and trying to answer questions but I know this is what God has for us right now. Thank you for your prayers!! :praying:

Since I told this woman I have had some doubts, I think just because I am uncertain how to handle the questions but after talking to Chad I am more sure. I know that this is the right decision for us. My heart breaks for the church we are leaving. One of 2 things will happen; the church will close, or it will drastically change. There is not really any other option, to stay as is would cause it to continue the downward spiral it it in. :(

I am not looking forward to people's reactions and trying to answer questions but I know this is what God has for us right now. Thank you for your prayers!! :praying:

Lord, We pray for wisdom for Michelle and Chad in how they tell the members of the church they are leaving.

Lord, We pray for wisdom for Michelle and Chad in how they tell the members of the church they are leaving.

Thank you...