Ways of leaving a congregation:

1. Death – the Christian is buried in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection as the church mourns and praises God for His grace. They move from the “church militant” to the “church triumphant.”
2. Transfer – the Christian is given a farewell and transfers his or her membership to another congregation of the same confession.
3. Peaceful release – the Christian leaves to another Christian tradition if he or she finds they cannot in good conscience continue in the Confessional Lutheran Faith.
4. Excommunication – a Christian who refuses to be disciplined according to the Word of God is, after much patience, told they are no longer a Christian under God’s grace.