The latest research shows that almost half of all Christians attend more than one church actively. This is the new church hop.

The old church hop was going to one church for a while (like 6-12 months), until you discovered that the church didn’t have everything together like you thought. Or the Pastor said something you didn’t agree with. Or you didn’t like the music. Or the ministry just didn’t seem to be meeting your needs anymore. Or your chiropractor invited you to their church. Or there is another church in town that has become the “cool” place to be. So you hopped to the next place.

In my view, church hopping – in either of it’s forms – is one of the most dangerous tools the Enemy uses to cripple the Church. There are two main dangers to church hopping. One is to yourself. The other is to the Church.

Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” This verse isn’t about starting new church meetings, it’s about experiencing community so you can encourage one another. If you are hopping from one community to another, or trying to have your foot in two or three places at once, you are ultimately robbing yourself of the authentic community that God intends for you through the Church. If you leave a community at any drop of the proverbial hat you will never be able to invest in the lives of people to be a true encouragement. And you will not be able to be encouraged. Church hopping robs you of community.

It also hurts the Church. Every time you leave. Every time you are half involved. Every time you plug in only to unplug, you leave a wake. Your influence (positive or negative) ripples throughout that community. Did you move on gracefully? Did you talk with the leaders about how God was leading you in another direction? Did you give the leaders thoughtful feedback on how they might improve their ministry? Or did you just leave? You leave a wake when you leave. Make sure it is a positive one.

The church hopper is focused only on themselves, which is why church hopping is ultimately a denial that the Church belongs to Christ. If you are hopping, you are making it about you. It’s not about you. It’s about Him. It’s about what He can do in you and through you. Stop looking for a place that has everything you could ever want and start looking for a place where God can use you.

The Church is the entity that God has established and wants to use to change the world. I wonder if we are missing out on what God wants to do through the Church because we are too busy trying all the different flavors of church and we never plant somewhere long enough for God to use us effectively.

Stop the hop. Get planted. Serve. Experience community. Change the world.