"The Church Across Town"
by Michael Thomas

Problems will arise in a congregation of God's people; it is inevitable.
As long as there are humans there will be the conflicts associated with
humanity: poor judgment, selfishness, bitter attitudes, and false
accusation. These are products of human will and judgment.

The conflicts between brethren are only compounded when there is another
sound congregation across town to which brethren can run to when there is
a conflict. I will state up front that I am not against families moving
to other congregations for a better spiritual environment or to improve
their own spiritual growth. This is sometimes necessary in exercising our
talents for the Lord and in becoming more useful for Him. However, we are
without justification when we leave one congregation for another because
of a poor attitude or sinful behavior on our part. This is wrong no
matter where you run!

If you have sinned against a brother or sister in Christ by saying or
doing things against them that were wrong, you cannot correct the
situation by leaving the church for another. In fact, you can NEVER
worship God again in an acceptable manner until you correct the things
you have done wrong (Matt. 5:23,24). If you owe someone an apology or if
you have mistreated them in sinful ways (gossip, false accusation,
improper judging of motive, betrayal, etc.), you MUST make things right
with them before you can be right with God. Our God is not a God of
immoral behavior, and neither will He allow His people to be (1 Jn.
3:10).

Furthermore, if a Christian has sinned against you in any way, you cannot
leave that congregation until YOU have done all you can to restore that
relationship (Matt. 18:15-17). God's will is for you to approach that
brother or sister PRIVATELY (between you and them alone) and strive to
work out the situation. If that is unsuccessful then go back again with
the help of another to correct the matter. If that doesn't work then get
the church involved in encouraging repentance and reconciliation. If
after all of these efforts you have still been unsuccessful in getting
them to repent THEN you can count them as a heathen and tax collector.
But until these efforts have been made you cannot say you have done all
that God would expect of you. By going to another church across town
BEFORE you have met these responsibilities you have jeopardized your own
soul.

We have to get over this idea of bailing out on one another as brethren.
As the old saying goes, "If we can't get along here on earth how will we
exist together in heaven?" There is more truth to that than we can
imagine. The fact is WE CAN'T go to heaven if we have bitterness and
malice in our heart toward one another. It is not of God (Eph. 4:31,32),
and is therefore not of heaven (Rev. 21:27).

Before you leave one church for another ask yourself why you are leaving.
Is it because you are ashamed of your actions and do not want to face the
consequences? Are you too ashamed to face brethren for your sin? Is it
because you refuse to accept the righteous rule and judgment of
God-fearing elders? Have you demonstrated a bad attitude and want to
escape the situation before your pride is destroyed? If these are your
motives I have one thing to say to you -- YOU CAN GO TO 10,000 CHURCHES
FOR 10,000 YEARS, but until you repent of your sins (and confess your
wrong) to the brethren you have sinned against you cannot go to heaven!
Your name may be included in the membership of one hundred churches
across town but until you repent of your sins your name is not in the
only book that matters -- the Lamb's book of life. Brethren and another
eldership may tell you differently, but you are deceived to believe them
(Col. 2:8).

On the other hand, if you have tried to work things out at one church
(and can honestly say you are not running from your responsibilities to
another Christian) then I encourage you to do what is best for yourself
and your family. 

God's people are not quitters. We endure for that which is right and we
strive to work together as His own (Rom. 15:1). We may not always be
treated in the ways we would like by one another but that's okay because
we haven't always treated God in the best ways either (Matt. 18:32,33).
Love is not optional in becoming like God. It must be a part of our
lives. And if there is one thing true about love it is we must love in
the good times and the bad. There is such a thing as sacrifice,
endurance, and doing all we can to have peace (Rom. 12:17,18). 

The only way you can "transfer" to the church across town is when God
goes with you. If you leave under any other circumstance your departing
from Joppa on a ship headed to Tarshish with only difficult storms and a
life filled with regret ahead. If God wants you in Ninevah you have no
authority to run to a church across town.