With the rise of an emphasis on the local church, membership and the authority of elders, some have concluded that a church member needs permission from the elders to leave a church. This was the teaching of congregationalism in contrast to presbyterianism during the puritan era.
This new page of resources with an Introduction argues from Scripture and nature the classic presbyterian position, that, while one ought always to serve the laws of charity, edification and good order, yet one may absent themselves from Church functions and the church itself due to moral and providential necessities, according to the Law of God, without permission from elders or necessarily giving them one’s reasons, and that letters of transfer (or other certificates), while useful, are not ultimately necessary.
As all things are to be done unto edification (1 Cor. 14:26), numerous puritans taught a person may leave one church for a more profitable church. So far from the Church being instituted by the Lord as a destructive trap (2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10), Christ’s house is a free society for all those that walk uprightly serving their Lord.