When seeking a new church

Gen 12:1 "The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you."

This verse presents two problems for me.
1. God speaking to me; I don't always recognize his voice
2. I don't always understand what HE is telling me.
 
When is the right time to make a congregational change? I know the obvious answer "when God directs me to do it",  but what would you consider some of the signs that the Lord may want you to move on? And obviously, if there is wrongdoing or major disagreement with leadership, those kinds of things would kind of be a deal breaker for sure, but what if you're not happy with things but it's not "integrity issues?" When do you leave and when do you just kind of "hunker down" and see what happens?

People leave their churches for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few:

1. I've moved town's and want to find one that's closer to home
2. My church has become too big; and I would rather go to a smaller more homey church
3. My church is too small and I want to be part of a larger congregation
4. Sometimes it's personal; and that's ok, know that there is a little risk here!
5. Sometimes people just upset with other people in the church and move on.
6. Sometimes people even get upset with the Pastor.
Please understand that whatever the reason that you're moving on, when it's time to change churches, it's a major decision and should be prayerfully and carefully considered.

Here are a couple of suggestions and warning to consider:

1. Try to the best of your ability to know the true reason why you want to leave the church you currently attend. This will help you know what to look for in the next church you attend or you will be repeating the cycle again, and hurt and be hurt within the so called Church

2. List all the factors you want in the church, even the essential "non-essentials" like:

1. Do they have and do I need parking? Is this a deal maker for me?
2. Is their a specific dress code? Sometimes or all the time?
3. Are they friendly and cordial to their own members? Because if they are, they will be with me.

3. Visit several churches. At least 3 of the same denomination you want in the area that you want to be in.  I always suggest; visit the churches of friends who are happy with where they are attending. Please understand that this will take about 5 months to do.

4. Let other family members weigh in on your decision to move on because everybody in a certain way will be affected by your actions. Consider the following:

1. When are the Church service days? Saturday or Sunday? 
2. What are their holiday services schedules like? Does it work well with my family, wife and children?
3. Will you all be under the same or different vision and anointing? (Pastor) If you're married never make a decision to move on to another congregation without the opinion of your spouse. Ideally, if both of you are believers you should be in the same house of Worship.
4. Does the church have a vibrant children ministry?
5. Is there a powerful and relevant Youth Ministry for the Teenagers?
6. Will your spouse feel comfortable there?

Pastor Dynamics are essential for a successful transition.

5. Visit your prospective new church several times to check out the churches consistency to make sure the things that will influence your decision are the same. This will always help you not make an emotional decision.

6. Wait for the PEACE of the Lord when making a decision. If you don't have God's peace about joining a particular church, then it's not the one for you.