If you’ve ever wondered, deep down, whether the church you call “home” is still the place where God wants your family to grow—please know, I’ve been there too. ❤️

This isn’t about church hopping or leaving because the coffee isn’t great ☕ or the programs aren’t flashy enough. It’s not about chasing trends or finding a more entertaining service. For years, I ignored little warning signs—the blank stares on my kids’ faces during worship, the spiritual complacency that slowly crept into our home, the hard conversations no one wanted to have.

Honsetly, I thought we could make up for it at home. I thought we could supplement with devotions and prayer. But I was wrong. The truth is: the soil we plant our kids in matters—deeply. 🌱

Changing churches was HARD. There were so many tears. I wrestled with fear—fear of breaking friendships, disrupting routines, doing the wrong thing. But what happened next changed everything. 🙌

Our spiritual temperature shifted from lukewarm to *on fire.*🔥 My kids’ faith came alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

💬 Today, they’re thriving in their new church home.
They’re hungry for God.
They’re preparing to go on a missions trip to Asia in a few weeks. 🌏
They’re hearing the call to ministry. One will be visiting Bible colleges this fall. Another feels called to preach. Another to missions.

That kind of fruit didn’t grow until we changed the soil. 🌳

I’m sharing this because I know how scary it is to even think about moving your family to a new church. But if the environment isn’t nourishing your children’s faith, it might be time to ask some hard questions.

Teen years are formational years. The relationships our kids build in this season will shape the trajectory of their faith for decades to come. That old saying—“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future”—exists for a reason. 👥

Now, hear my heart on this—changing churches isn’t the answer for everyone. 🙅‍♀️ No church is perfect, and we shouldn’t move on a whim or even for significant issues unless the Holy Spirit is leading us. God often calls us to stay and stand in difficult places for a purpose. But sometimes, the combination of clear spiritual signs and the unmistakable prompting of God’s Spirit means it’s time to uproot—for the sake of deeper growth. 🌿
 
In this episode, I’m opening up about our journey—how, even with everything I preach, teach, and value, we still found ourselves in a church that had quietly compromised on so many things that mattered deeply to us. 🙈
 
How did that happen?
 
Honestly, sometimes we don’t see the red flags until the spiritual Kudzu has taken over the garden. 🌿 It creeps in slowly, wrapping around things until it’s hard to see what’s healthy and what’s not. In this episode, I’m sharing six spiritual signs that told me it was time for a change—not out of anger or offense, but out of a deep hunger for more of God.

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Here Are 6 Signs It May Be Time for a New Church:

1️. There Are Parts of the Bible That Your Church Won’t Preach
If difficult truths are consistently avoided, your family may be spiritually underfed. God’s whole Word should shape our whole lives. 📖
2️. Your Church Doesn’t Challenge Your Flesh
If every message is just a feel-good pat on the back, your spirit—and your kids’ spirits—might be quietly withering. Growth requires challenge. 💪
3️. Your Church Emphasizes Evangelism Over Discipleship (or Vice Versa)
There must be balance. If people are coming in but not growing—or if maturity is pursued without mission—something essential is missing. ⚖️
4️. Your Church Prioritizes Charisma Over Character
Flashy doesn’t mean faithful. Charisma may draw a crowd, but only godly character transforms hearts. ❤️
5️. The Holy Spirit Isn’t Free to Move
Where is the hunger for God’s presence? If services feel scripted and there’s no room for the Spirit’s power or gifts, something’s off. 🕊️
6️. The Youth Group Isn’t On Fire for God
Don’t overlook this. If your kids’ spiritual world is passive, purely social, or avoids the real issues they face, that’s a huge red flag. Teen years matter. 🔥

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If even one of these signs is ringing in your heart right now, you’re not crazy. You’re not alone. And you’re not the only one wrestling with these questions. I’ve been there—and I want to walk with you through it. 💞

This episode is for the parent who’s prayerfully discerning, the mom or dad feeling the tension but unsure of what to do next. I share our full story… and the hope we’ve found on the other side of a courageous change.

🎧  Listen to this timely message on Life Audio by clicking below:

Or you can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And please consider giving CP/CW a 5-star rating on Apple Podcast or Spotify. That would make my day! 

🌱 TRUTH FROM THIS EPISODE: 
“The devil doesn’t care about your church attendance. He doesn’t care if you warm a pew every Sunday. As a matter of fact, people who go to church as a religious exercise are his favorite kind of people. Because they’re dead and they don’t even know it. What rattles the enemy is a believer who is actually living it.” 
~ Catherine Segars

In this episode, you’ll also learn:

• Why glossing over hard truths sets kids up for weak faith
• How to spot signs of spiritual stagnation in your home
• The warning signs of a numbers-driven, personality-centered church culture
• What to look for in a youth group that truly disciples your kids
• Encouragement for parents facing tough church decisions

👉 And don’t forget: if you’re on the prodigal journey with your child, I’ve created a FREE Prodigal Bundle—packed with Scriptures, tools, and encouragement to keep you anchored in hope. (See below!) 🎁

Let’s be brave together.
Let’s fight for the spiritual soil our families need.
Let’s trust that obedience—even when it’s painful—leads to flourishing. 🌺

Resources Mentioned:

• ✨ Catherine’s free Prodigal Bundle: Hope-filled tools, Scripture lists, and encouragement for parents of prodigals → Download it here
• 📖 The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun – a powerful testimony of bold, persecuted faith