This is post number three in this series on biblical reasons for changing churches.
Jesus Is the Hero of Scripture
From the outset, Jesus is the hero of Scripture. He is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is our Lord, Savior, and greatest Treasure.
The Bible, nevertheless, contains stories of people we can learn from and admire from a distance. We can applaud the strength of Samson. We are able to praise the faith of Daniel in the lion’s den. We would do well to commend the faith-based righteousness of men like Noah and Abraham.
David: The Worshipping Warrior
King David is one of those men in Scripture to whom I can relate as a follower of Jesus. One of my preaching mentors shared with me the reason I connect well with David—he was a worshipping warrior like me. He would write praise songs in the pasture, play his lyre to soothe King Saul’s spiritual torment, and then turn right around and lop the head off a giant. As a Marine who was called to ministry, my experiences and wiring are similar to David’s story. He was a warrior king. However, he was not the king we need. David points beyond himself to another king named King Jesus.
David’s Journey from Anointing to the Throne
Here is what we can learn from David. After he was anointed the next King of Israel by the Prophet Samuel, he went right back to the pasture. Back to tending the sheep. David spent 15 years in the pasture and running from Saul before he became King over Judah. It would be another 7 years before he would become king over all of Israel. It would take about 22 years before his anointing led to his inauguration.
Character Over Charisma: God’s Standard for Leadership
This leads us to a practical application and lessons for following leaders within the church. God’s process is to develop his called men in the pasture before he places them in the palace. God was shaping David’s character in preparation for his kingship. When we think about God’s economy, he cares more about a leader’s character than their capabilities and/or their charisma. And we should too. Leadership, in general, and pastoral ministry, in particular, can be factors for leaving or staying at a church.
The Biblical Qualifications for Pastors
Two passages are of extreme importance when it comes to a pastor’s character and your attendance at a church they serve: 1 Timothy 3:1–7, and Titus 1:5–9. Let me be clear: pastors are not perfect. We cannot place them on the same level of Jesus because they are not him. They are born-again believers striving to live holy lives in the power of the Spirit who are called by God to lead and shepherd his church. Pastoral leaders, then, are to meet the qualifications laid out in Scripture as they serve in that role.
The question is not whether or not they give into every desire of the church or her members. You should not leave a church because a pastor makes a decision that encroaches upon your personal preferences. A pastor who leans into Scripture, the Spirit, and leads/teaches the congregation to those ends is a pastor worth sitting under as one of God’s under-shepherds.
When to Stay or Leave a Church
What you should be looking for is how they live out the qualifications outlined in Scripture. If a pastor(s) is found to be unqualified and still serving in their position, that serves as a valid reason to change churches. God calls his leaders to a higher standard, which revolves primarily around character with one ability–“able to teach.” However, a shepherd who meets those qualifications is one worth following.
Honor Your Pastor
This post is happening right before October 11, 2026, which is Pastor Appreciation Sunday. If God has graciously given you a shepherd who loves Jesus, loves God’s people, has a heart for the lost, meets the character qualifications of Scripture, teaches the Word without fear, and seeks the Spirit’s direction all for the glory of God, thank God for him and show love to him and his family (if applicable). We need good, faithful men of God in these times of cultural chaos and confusion. They need not only your prayers, but also your love as they follow God in one of the hardest and most joyful callings in all the world.
Don’t miss Jeremy’s next post. Enter your email below to have it delivered straight to your inbox:
When is the Death Penalty Considered Just? Six Standards Required for Capital Punishment Sentencing
I was invited by the Center for Faith and Culture podcast to speak on the theology and practice of capital punishment. I believe the episode is scheduled for release Friday, October 16th (You will be able to check it out here). Think of this episode more like a discussion rather than a lecture between four…
When Christian Heroes Disappoint: Finding Faith in Jesus
You have likely heard the statement, “Don’t meet your heroes because they will only disappoint you.” This means who they are in public is probably not who they are on private. What about those men or women you looked up to when God started your faith journey? What about when you meet them later in…
Rethinking Fairness in Everyday Life: When Grace and Injustice Collide
These three scenarios are real experiences, but I have changed some of the details to protect the innocent. By “innocent,” I am not talking about those without sin, but rather those who did the right thing and were seemingly punished on behalf of those who did wrong. Think of this like I am innocent when…
