Question: Over the years, my church denomination has become theologically and socially liberal. Thankfully, our local church is still fairly conservative, but it makes me uneasy to think that my offerings are ultimately being used to support causes which are unbiblical. What should I do?
Answer: The problem you have described is a very common one in our modern day. In fact, I omitted your particular denomination’s name because nearly every denomination in North America has been infected by theological liberalism over the past century.
So much so, that Martin Luther would not be able to join most Lutheran churches. John Knox would not be able to join most presbyterian churches. John Wesley would not be able to join most Methodist churches. William Carey would not be able to join most baptist churches.
Ordinarily, I would always encourage a concerned church member to speak with the local pastor and elders about such concerns so they could discuss options for addressing them on a local church level. This is usually the first step and can be very effective.
Unfortunately, by the time an entire denomination has adopted doctrines and policies which are contrary to scripture, there is very little a local church can do (much less a single member).
You see, the modern examples of liberalism we might cite here have all already been debated over the past 50+ years in denominational committees. All the arguments for orthodoxy have already been offered and rejected. All the impassioned pleas for repentance have also already been voiced and ignored.
So where does that leave you? It leaves you as an innocent victim of denominational apostasy who now only has one possible option: LEAVE
You simply cannot worship God in spirit and truth when the denomination has pledged its allegiance to the spirit of the age and rejected the truth of Holy Scripture. You also cannot present your tithes and offering in good conscience when you know they are being funneled into denominational funds which support unjust wars, on-demand abortions, the LGBT agenda, and a host of other evils.
I realize that even entertaining the thought of walking away from the denomination in which you were baptized may be extremely uncomfortable. I also know how difficult it will be to explain your decision to family members and friends who do not share your conviction.
In light of these things, please mark well the calling of God to his saints: “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)
The calling is, first of all, emphatic. God requires that his people separate themselves from all iniquity and idolatry. There is no room for compromise here. They must come out and stay out.
Because this is sometimes such a hard calling, the Lord also offers a very strong encouragement. Namely, he promises to receive all those who heed his call; just as Father receives his beloved sons and daughters (c.f., 2 Corinthians 6:18).
God’s calling to you is a simple one. He does not call you to fight against liberalism or to engage yourself in denominational politics, he simply calls you to walk quietly away from iniquity that you might keep your soul clean.
Finally, rest assured: He who issued this call will always prove himself faithful to receive you, to cleanse you, and to reward you richly for your fidelity to Christ and his Word.