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Our ministry needs so much prayer to be challenge and to grow. Please pray that God will be a desire in our hearts and the most important thing. Pray that the people of KUPC will pursue God as he has pursued us.

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Let's be honest, while there are some good reasons for leaving a church, there are a lot more bad ones. As a pastor, I hear some of them every now and then as people walk out the door. As a church planter, I hear them constantly as people walk in the door.

If you're thinking about looking for a new church home, please don't use one of these five reasons to make the jump:

1. "I'm not being fed"

Do pastors have a responsibility to steward the scriptures and care for their church spiritually? You bet they do. And it can be all too easy to overlook this while trying to manage staff, build systems, meet needs, put out fires and develop leaders, all while overseeing the overall vision and direction of the church. But let's be honest, if you own a smartphone, a personal computer or a library card, you have access to some of the best preaching and teaching in the world. You can even find teaching archives of some of the greatest preachers of all time. Christian, you have access to more "meat" than any other generation before you!

To leave a church because you're not getting "enough" is a cop out. Your primary call in the church is to contribute, not just to consume. As a Christian, you shouldn't require spoon-feeding for the rest of your life. Eventually you need to learn how to feed yourself so that, in time, you can actually feed others. Remember, your call is not just to be a disciple but to make disciples.

2. "It's getting too big"

I can appreciate the sense of loss that accompanies growth. When we first began, our church was little more than a small band of brothers and sisters meeting together in a living room. It feels very different now that we are a church of a few hundred people spread across multiple services. There are moments when I miss the intimacy and simplicity of those early days. But remaining small is a sad and unbiblical goal.

When churches are faithful to the Great Commission, lives will be changed and people will be added to their number. It may not happen rapidly, but growth is sometimes inevitable for faithful churches, given a long enough timeline. If you have a problem with big churches, you really wouldn't have liked the first church, and you definitely won't like heaven.

3. "I don't agree with everything that is being preached"

You know what? Neither do I and I'm the pastor. As such I fully reserve the right to disagree with myself. And every now and then I do exactly that. Why? Because I'm learning. I'm growing. I'm asking questions. And my hope is that those I pastor are doing likewise.

If you insist that your pastor agree with you on every little thing under the sun, you are going to either hop from church to church for the rest of your life in perpetual disappointment or you will eventually give up and drop out altogether. Chances are you are not going to agree with everything that is preached anywhere. As long as your pastor isn't preaching outright heresy, you can afford to disagree on secondary issues.The truth is when you choose to stay despite disagreeing on some things, you, your pastor and your church are better for it.

4. "My Needs Aren't Being Met"

When someone lists this as a reason for leaving it is a dead giveaway that somewhere along the way they came to believe that the Church actually exists to serve their needs. They've bought into the lie that, when it comes to church, it's really about "me." Here's the problem: the Church actually isn't about you. It's about Jesus. It's his Church. He came for it. He died for it. He redeemed it. He continues to build it. And one day, he'll come back for it. It's his.

This is the same Jesus who came to seek and to save the lost and then commissioned his Church to go and do the same. The Church doesn't exist to meet your needs. You are a part of the Church that exists to meet the needs of the world. Put away the shopping cart and pick up a shovel.

5. Unresolved Conflict

Wherever you find the community of sinning saints you will find conflict. Lots of it. The Church is one big family full of characters and misfits. Sometimes sisters argue. Sometimes brothers fight. Sometimes you want to bury your weird uncle in the backyard. But despite it all, family is supposed to be the place where you stick together. Even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard.

Paul addressed a lot of church conflict in his letters. No where do I hear him encouraging believers to bail on one another or move on down the road to a different church where it'll be easier. Instead, much of his letters are his encouraging and coaching these ragamuffin communities in how to do this very hard and messy thing together.

When we leave at first sign of real conflict, it shortchanges God's best work in our midst. It sidesteps the process of repentance, forgiveness and grace. It negates the power of the Gospel to bring reconciliation where reconciliation might seem impossible. We and those around us miss out on all of it when we just leave.

I do know that not all conflict is resolvable. I know that reconciliation is impossible where there is no repentance. I get that. But remember, repentance starts with us. And so does the extending of grace. And when we resolve to stick around and keep on repenting and extending grace, I think God can do far more than we often give Him credit for. Some of God's best work happens in the mess.
An earlier version of this article appeared on aaronloy.com

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5 Really Bad Reasons To Leave Your Church

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Let's be honest, while there are some good reasons for leaving a church, there are a lot more bad ones. As a pastor, I hear some of them every now and then as people walk out the door. As a church planter, I hear them constantly as people walk in the door.

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A prayer that they would find a church where they may be challenged, not only intellectually, but also spiritually; a community that provides not only guidance and encouragement, but hardship that must be overcome with the grace of God; a community that truly builds up Christians, not only within their pre-established comfort zones, but also outside of them.

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I've been struggling this for a while now but there are really frightening times when I just can't understand how all of this could be real. A lot of it has to do with my ponders on the end of life and also trying to comes to terms with the knowledge I have of this world vs the knowledge of God.

Literally, the only thing that's been keeping me grounded are the daily prayers I try to pray, the daily reminders of what God's done for me, and weekly community worship on Sunday.

I just want some prayers from anyone and everyone that at the end of this journey, I would end up on the right side. That I would come out with a stronger faith in God, and unshakable faith! However, that just doesn't seem like an outcome I can see in the near future. It takes so much to believe but so little to doubt. A single lecture on embryology almost did me in tonight. I wish God would hold on to me a little closer.

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Prayers for faith to remain challenged, tested and ultimately strengthened.

Prayer for all to remain focused on their daily activities, but above all to prioritize God who transcends all earthly endeavors.

Prayer for the leaders of KUPC '14, who have hopefully started, if not already begun, their preparations for the upcoming year. Let their mind and thoughts remain clean and righteous before God, and may God chastise them should He find something that displeases Him.

Prayer for the individuals of KUPC. Meditate, think, study, pray and find out what makes a church beautiful. The answer, no matter how complex (and it will be complex), will always begin and end with the blood of Christ and its paradigm-shifting implications.

Prayer for those who now or have already embarked on a new chapter. Whenever someone starts a new chapter, they can always either fall out of their faith or grow even stronger.

Prayer that all who seek to remain discerning to things unseen would recognize that we have a real enemy out there, and that enemy is not each other within the church, but the enemy seeks to make it seem so.

Grace and peace, KUPC.

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Please keep the victims of the tornados in OK in your prayers, as well as their friends and family: http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/05/20/tornadoes-severe-weather-plains-midwest/2325875/

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I want to uplift prayers for those of us who may come from a weaker church background back home. Personally, KUPC has been the first church I truly feel at home with. I believe there are others who may possibly feel this way. I hope we remain a community that encourages each other to seek God in these upcoming months. I pray that we are filled with the passion to seek God, to feel His love, and to grow spiritually!

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Please pray for the families and friends of the 100+ victims in southwest China.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/19/world/asia/china-sichuan-earthquake/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

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I just want to lift up those involved in booth this year; praying for rest, safety, and peace among the camaraderie within Midway.

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Those families and friends affected by the explosions. Safety for the people in the city.

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Placing greater trust in the ability of God to work amongst all of us who are willing to let God be God

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Hey KUP, I have been stressed out and discouraged. Work has been overwhelming and uncertainty has been distracting me. Lately I feel burdened and regretful of my past failures and it has made it difficult to trust God with my future. Please pray that I may remember that in all that I do, I do to glorify God and not myself. I am not defined by what I have done or failed to do, but Christ who lives in me. Galatians 1:10

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He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure.
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

Annie Johnson Flint

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Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10 -12

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It's troubling when just going to a single class is a daily achievement. It's even more troubling when a plethora of excuses are created to pardon my apathy.

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This semester I think I've taken up more than I can handle and I'm starting to break down from all the work and stress that is piling up. I pray for reassurance that God will help me to see this through and that he will guide me above everything. I really need him now.

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That all types of people, Christians and non-Christians, will be willing to come and seriously think about the topics raised and the relevance to their beliefs.

That we, ourselves, would have a habit of questioning the things we readily accept.

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We recognize God's plan playing out in our lives and we would actively work to follow it

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I am waiting back for a crucial internship for this summer and anxiously waiting for the reply.

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i need more guidance in my life

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That our hope in life will always be in God's kingdom and the fulfillment of his promises for us. That God will be our only master amidst all the ups and downs of life.

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I'm just struggling through a lot.

Please pray for me to find some direction in life right now.

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Most of you know my sister Angela Yi. I believe only a few of you know about her condition that she has been struggling with her junior year. Angela has been fighting clinical depression for some time and though things have been looking better, it quickly went down hill again and she has been admitted into western psych clinic in the Oakland area next to UPmc. I ask you all to keep her in her prayers and encourage you all to visit her if you have the time. Pastor lee will be visiting her today and Liang and I will be coming in on Friday evening to see her as well. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she fights through this hardship and lets make sure she knows she doesn't need to do it alone. For more visiting information, please contact jung as shes been going to see Angela this week. Thank you all. God bless.

Visiting hours: M-F 10-1 5-8; Sat-Sun 11-3 5-8

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I realize that work and school work has become a very big priority in my life. Pray that my life will fully be centered around Christ and Christ alone.

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Charles - Project Panam and other SB Trips

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Charles - Project Panam and other SB Trips

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I wanted to ask for everyone's prayers regarding my spring break trip to Panama. We will be working with small business/family owned business there to hopefully help them be more sustainable for the future. Also, want to use this opportunity to pray for all those who are going on trips to other parts of the world as well as in the US that God will continue to give us strength as we go and that our lights will shine for Him no matter what part of the world we find ourselves in.

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I need prayer to seek God on a daily basis. That I would find time in my day to give him the praise He deserves. I need to realize how urgent it is to seek his kingdom. I would appreciate prayer for patience, love, humility, and discipline.

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For those of whom are going abroad to Central American or for those who are travelling, or even staying in Pittsburgh, a prayer for their safety! Let us remain awake, and spend a portion of the break to individually renew our own fire and our own convictions for God and his kingdom, and for the rest of the semester (and beyond)!

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With so many things going on as a graduating senior, it's so hard to find peace and balance in my everyday life. I pray that all of this crazy frenzy will sort itself out soon.

Graduation. Relationships. Family. School.

Please, God, I pray that you will watch over me during this messy transition period.

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I know I just posted here yesterday but.. my grandmother has been sick for a while and I got word that today she had to get a pacemaker. I wanted to ask for prayers for my dad because we lost his father two years ago and I can tell he's really worried for his mother. Prayers to keep him strong and my grandma healthy

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The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my
portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

Lamentations 3:22-24

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This second semester's been pretty rough on me both academically and spiritually.. I find myself putting crew before school and school before God when I know all too well it should be the exact opposite way.. Also I'm struggling with settling on a major and deciding whether or not I want to keep pursuing the same career I came to Pitt to study for. I'm having difficulty finding the motivation to work harder.. Thanks KUPC!

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Charles Wesley, Hymn 131, verses 1, 2, 3.

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Charles Wesley, Hymn 131, verses 1, 2, 3.

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Lord, I despair myself to heal:
I see my sin, but cannot feel;
I cannot, till thy Spirit blow,
And bid the obedient waters flow.
‘Tis thine a heart of flesh to give;
Thy gifts I only can receive:
Here, then, to thee I all resign;
To draw, redeem, and seal,—is thine.
With simple faith on thee I call,
My Light, my Life, my Lord, my all:
I wait the moving of the pool;
I wait the word that speaks me whole.

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As the semester is reaching its midpoint, I am unsure of where I will be in the coming months. I know I should be spending more time with God, praying, and asking him what I should do, but I have been very distracted and unwilling to spend time processing this with Him. I want to go where God calls me to go, not just a convenient or nice place.

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Dealing with poor health recently, mostly due to exhaustion. It's been causing me a great deal of stress I've become really discouraged because I feel like I keep missing out on classes/events/etc.

Also, got into a minor car accident early yesterday morning. Repairs are finished as of this afternoon/evening, but it's been draining. No injuries, thank God. Please pray for perseverance!

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I wanted to ask for everyone's prayers for my studio professor and her family. We were just notified that last night, her husband passed away. It's incredibly devastating to hear such terrible news and even more heart breaking because he was such a great guy that was so talented and someone we got to know well when we visited Cornell. I hope you will keep her and her family in your prayers and give them strength and resilience to overcome such a tragedy.

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team unity,

complete trust in God, His sovereignty and provision concerning the souls we will be ministering to,

hearts that break for His creation, physical, mental and emotional strength,

Personally, that I don’t use apathy as a defense against being vulnerable, broken and emotionally strained.

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Psalm 90:12- "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

A prayer for urgency in our daily life- that we would greet the time God has given us (as individuals and as community together) as a gift that ought not to be taken for granted.

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Friendship, relationship, future, class work, family... So much stuff to worry about! I pray that we can lift all these to Christ :)

Phillipians 4: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.

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Please pray that God will keep the KUPC college ministry leaders fearful of Him in taking our positions with all seriousness and humility. Encouraging one another in love, and not to stumble our brothers and sisters.