Christians who have left their church have done so for various reasons. Some left because they relocated to another place. Others left because of problems with a fellow churchgoer. Others had problems with what their church was teaching.
Whatever the reasons, the fact remains that there are thousands of Christians all over the world who have experienced leaving their church.
Some of these brothers and sisters have joined new churches where they now belong to. Others have not, still for a myriad of reasons: disappointments, disillusionment, the feeling of being unwelcome, or simply the fact that they couldn't find a church they resonate with.
For these fellow Christians who still have not found a church where they feel they belong to, this article is for you. Are you one of them?
If you are, then take to heart the love of the Lord for you. Yes, it's very important that you find a group of believers for fellowship and worship. It is crucial for you to have a fellow believer with you so that you could continue strengthening and encouraging each other, especially at a time when you don't have a church.
I don't know your reason for leaving, but I want you to know that although you don't feel like joining a new church yet, Christ Jesus – the solid rock Foundation and Builder of the church – genuinely cares for you and will never leave you or forsake you. He'll help you find fellowship.
Jesus the Great Shepherd
Consider the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4-7 or Matthew 18:12-14. Jesus said, "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish."
Friend, if you still value your relationship with the Father, and if you still pursue and love the Lord Jesus Christ, be encouraged. You might be outside the physical church, but God does not consider you an outsider. He sees you as His "lost sheep" which He will pursue and rejoice over when found.
Jesus is the Great Shepherd of our souls. If any brother goes astray, His heart never changes. He still loves that brother, and will work tirelessly until that brother goes back. And though he might be tempted to think that no Christian loves him or accepts him, Christ Jesus will always love him and will always do His part in making that brother get right with God.
"Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:12-13).
God loves you and will never abandon you. He will bring you once more into the sheepfold, and will rejoice over you. You matter to Him, so don't stop loving Him. Don't give up on your faith simply because you don't have a church. Persist in your faith, and love the Lord always. You'll find a church you like someday.
