We have looked over the last few weeks at things Satan rejoices in that Christians do to hinder the work of the Lord and harm the body of Christ, without even realizing it. First, some Christians sling mud on the body of Christ by emphasizing all of the sins committed by the members. Others strive to win people to the preacher or church, and not to the Lord. Still other Christians live below the level of their beliefs while others try to explain things that they are not sure of, thus doing more harm to the Lord.

Mark Atteberry, who wrote the book, The Ten Dumbest Things Christians Do, lists number five as “church hopping.” We all have seen them. These are the folks that claim to be members of the church and who claim to love the Lord and His church, but go from church to church looking for the “perfect church.” These folks are mainly known for being either complainers or consumers.

There are five characteristics that mark the church hopper:

First, they tend to be critical so as to find an excuse to leave. They look for any and every thing wrong so that when they “have to leave,” they can do so with a good conscience.

Secondly, they have a “me first” attitude. It is all about them. They are infected with the idea of consumerism. They say, “I am looking for a church that will have what I want, and I will “shop around” until I find it. I want a certain kind of singing, a certain kind of preaching and certain ministries that will give me what I need.”

Thirdly, church hoppers almost never get involved, so they haven’t committed themselves to anything. They can’t be blamed for something not going right—after all, they are not involved in anyone’s life or anything else.

Fourthly, and in the same vein as never getting involved, church hoppers never make a serious financial investment in the church. They may have a $200,000 home, a $35,000 dollar car, but give only $5 to the church every week. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Finally, church hoppers enjoy living a life free from accountability to anyone. Elders cannot watch over their souls because they never really commit to a congregation and would take umbrage at the idea that they have to answer to anyone.

But what happens when someone decides to do what the Lord has commanded and commit to the kingdom in one specific locality? (This is commanded in all of the “one another,” or “each other” passages that we find in so many places in the New Testament. One cannot reciprocate loving, caring for, exhorting and encouraging one another unless one is part of a local church).

First, there is a sense of belonging that church hoppers will never know nor enjoy! You are part of something that is greater than yourself, and you can be a part of watching the church grow and prosper as you make your contributions to it (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:11–16).
Secondly, there is a sense of accomplishment as you know that you have fulfilled the Lord’s will in being a part of the church.

Finally, you are in a place where relationships that can never be replaced come about. In every congregation that I have left to go and work somewhere else, I have friends and loved ones that can never be replaced, and my heart warms at thinking of them constantly. I often think that this is a big part of the reason why I don’t want to leave South Cobb—I have friendships and relationships here that mean so much to me. This is what God has intended when it comes to the church. Church hoppers will never know this! But you can, if you commit to the Lord and to His church!