Leaving Church

Just a few years ago, studies revealed that less than 40% of people who claim a religious background go to church services. Around 28% claim to attend at least once a week, 8% once a month, and 4% once a year. Whether these statistics are accurate or not, for many churches, there is a steady decline in membership each year. I have often been asked why so many people, especially young adults, leave the church and what can be done to ensure stability. Of course, the solution is not so easily attained. There are many reasons people hardly darken church doors.

It is all rooted in one’s perception of the church, ranging from misguided notions that faith equals ignorance to hurt emotions one faced during a time of church conflict. Try to describe your view of the American church in one word. I will list some that I have heard others use: hypocrites, cultish, uninformed, divided etcetera. Now, you will find that many of the people that say such things are only mouthing what they have seen, heard, and read from biased media, decadent entertainment, and cynical books. In fact, in my experience many of the so called "free-thinkers" (people who claim they started thinking for themselves and they don’t believe in God) understand very little of true science, have a distorted view of history, and hold to erroneous ideas over what the Bible teaches.

However, as a whole in America, Christians have forgotten that they are called not just to go to church, but to be the Church. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” The greatest characteristic for a thriving church is discipleship. This is why so many people have left and why those who remain are at odds with one another. Church life is not about sitting in a pew, but about serving people. Discipleship stretches far beyond a class curriculum; it is about one surrendered soul edifying, admonishing, and encouraging another soul through God’s truth. It is stated in Hebrews that we are not to forsake “…the assembling of ourselves together,” but this same passage also calls us to exhort “…one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (10:25).

Finally, what can be done for those who have been turned off to the church? Simply point them to Jesus. We must magnify Him with our lips and our life. Just as Paul declared in Philippians 1:20, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." He also states in Colossians 1:18, “And (Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.” It’s not about trying to win them to a congregation, but it’s about witnessing to them about the wonder and love of Christ, our Savior! Cast aside the lie that you must "sell" Christ through gaudy entertainment or uplift Christianity by getting some famous "hot shot" to vouch for His saving power! Walk in love and humility. Turn aside from the clamor of shallow religion and let the still small voice of His love be found in your daily walk and talk.