Podcast Summary: Jack Hibbs Podcast
Episode: Should I Stay or Go
Date: January 16, 2025
Host: Jack Hibbs (JackHibbs.com)
Episode Overview
In this episode, Pastor Jack Hibbs responds to a recurring question from his listeners and church community: “Should I stay at my church, or is it time to leave?” He addresses the struggle many face when their local church no longer feels like a place of spiritual growth or doctrinal soundness. Drawing from listener letters, biblical principles, and decades of pastoral experience, Jack gives practical and heartfelt insight into discerning where God wants you to worship, serve, and contribute.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Why Do You Go To Your Church? (02:13)
- Jack urges every believer to reflect honestly on why they attend their current church.
- Self-diagnostic questions:
- Why do I attend the church that I attend?
- Should I be going to this church?
- Should I support this church (tithes, offerings, efforts, service)?
- Common, but insufficient, answers he hears:
- “It’s the church we’ve always gone to.”
- “My family has always attended here.”
- “All my friends are here.”
- “My kids love it.”
Quote:
"That means literally nothing. Why would that play into anything of significance?"
— Jack Hibbs, on attending out of tradition (06:00)
2. Christ as the Head of the Church (06:24)
- The true test of a church is whether Christ is its head—demonstrated by spiritual growth, biblically-centered teaching, meaningful worship, and vibrant ministry opportunities.
- Church should be a place where the Holy Spirit is evidently moving, and where the Word of God is relevant for all walks of life.
Quote:
"The worship is focused on Jesus, not on people. It is praise and not performance."
— Jack Hibbs (09:00)
3. Importance of Biblical Teaching—No “Bible Stories” for Kids Only (11:30)
- Jack emphasizes the need for robust, real biblical teaching across all ages, noting the danger of relegating Scripture to mere “stories” for children.
- Children’s ministry should aim to create disciples and even introduce apologetics at an early age.
Quote:
"I do not believe that children should be taught Bible stories… your kids are going to grow up thinking Jesus is a story, that Noah was just a story, and so they won’t believe the Bible."
— Jack Hibbs (12:43)
4. Staying for Social or Opportunity Reasons (18:36)
- Many stay at a church due to friendships, or because they hold a position (e.g., worship leader), even when teachings are unbiblical or unfulfilling.
- Jack warns against prioritizing social ties or ministry roles over spiritual health and doctrinal fidelity.
Quote:
"To stay at a church because the church stinks, but you stay there because your friends are there—that’s displeasing."
— Jack Hibbs (20:17)
- On worship leaders serving at places where they disagree:
"Can I be honest? You are an opportunist, and I’m going to ask you to repent of it… That is wrong."
— Jack Hibbs (21:45)
5. Spiritual Detox or Subversive “Ministry” (24:40)
- Some feel called to “detox” their friends from poor teaching, forming a sort of covert ministry within a problematic church.
- Jack says it’s difficult to answer whether you should stay or go in such circumstances, as no man can give a one-size-fits-all answer.
Quote:
“Should you leave or should you stay is not for me to respond… If you can absolutely believe that the two of you have been led by God to stay, then he’s going to give you the passion and the confirmation and the peace.”
— Jack Hibbs (25:05)
6. How to Discern God’s Leading (26:30)
- Seek the Lord actively for guidance; if He wants you to stay, He’ll give peace and confirmation. If uneasiness grows, that may be a sign to leave.
- God often leads both spouses or key family members together in unity (Amos 3:3).
7. Tithing and Financial Support (27:30)
- Is it okay to tithe to ministries elsewhere? Jack says yes, especially if that is where you're being spiritually “fed.”
- Never support a ministry with God’s money if He’s not present or active in it.
Quote:
"It’s completely fine to support ministries that feed you… If the ministry in your neighborhood is not doing that, I could not give God’s money… to a work that he’s not involved in."
— Jack Hibbs (28:22)
8. Money as Tools, Not Currency in God’s Work (29:20)
- Jack recounts a personal lesson: God views our resources not as money, but as tools to build the Kingdom.
- Warns against ministries obsessed with money, building funds, and constant fundraising. If God initiates a work, He will supply.
Quote:
"God doesn’t look at it as dollars, He doesn’t look at it as currency. God looks at what we call money as tools in building."
— Jack Hibbs (29:58)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|--------------|-------| | 06:00 | Jack Hibbs | “That means literally nothing. Why would that play into anything of significance?” (On attending out of tradition) | | 09:00 | Jack Hibbs | “The worship is focused on Jesus, not on people. It is praise and not performance.” | | 12:43 | Jack Hibbs | “I do not believe that children should be taught Bible stories… your kids are going to grow up thinking Jesus is a story, that Noah was just a story, and so they won’t believe the Bible.” | | 20:17 | Jack Hibbs | “To stay at a church because the church stinks, but you stay there because your friends are there—that’s displeasing.” | | 21:45 | Jack Hibbs | “Can I be honest? You are an opportunist, and I’m going to ask you to repent of it… That is wrong.” | | 25:05 | Jack Hibbs | “Should you leave or should you stay is not for me to respond… If you can absolutely believe that the two of you have been led by God to stay, then he’s going to give you the passion and the confirmation and the peace.” | | 28:22 | Jack Hibbs | "It’s completely fine to support ministries that feed you… If the ministry in your neighborhood is not doing that, I could not give God’s money… to a work that he’s not involved in." | | 29:58 | Jack Hibbs | "God doesn’t look at it as dollars, He doesn’t look at it as currency. God looks at what we call money as tools in building." |
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- 02:13 — Why do you go to church? The critical self-examination
- 06:24 — Indicators of a Christ-centered, Spirit-led church
- 12:43 — Children’s ministry: Beyond “Bible stories”
- 18:36 — Staying for social networks or ministries
- 21:45 — Worship leadership and heart alignment
- 24:40 — Covert ministry, “detoxing” others in unhealthy churches
- 26:30 — How to discern God’s personal leading
- 27:30 — Where to tithe and when it’s right to support other ministries
- 29:58 — Money as tools, God’s provision versus human fundraising
Conclusion
Jack Hibbs concludes that staying or leaving a church is not a matter of tradition, comfort, or opportunity, but a direct response to God’s personal call. Seek alignment with God’s will, contribute your resources where you are spiritually fed, and never let culture, friendships, or convenience override the clear leading of the Lord. Above all, he encourages believers to view their lives and possessions as tools for the Kingdom and to pursue a real, active relationship with Christ.
Final encouragement:
"It’s time for you and I to live out what we believe in. It’s time for real life." (32:12)
For outlines and more resources, visit JackHibbs.com.