7 Typical Reasons People Leave the Church

[Edward D Lacey]

1. Burn Out — These people came out of the gate too strong in the church. They showed up, got excited and signed up for everything. They got so busy doing church they failed to enjoy being the church.
2. Injury — People inside the church can be cruel. I hate when that happens, but it’s true. These people experienced some of those people and they couldn’t move past it.
3. Distractions — These people got distracted by seemingly good things. They were playing travel ball, loving the fast life, traveling every weekend. Over time, their lifestyle of attending becomes the habit of not attending.
4. Life Change — These people had a lifestyle change, such as divorce or remarriage—or they move to a new community—and never reconnect with a church.
5. Mistakes — These people messed up! They made a mistake that may be public—or at least they feel that it will be known—and the place that should dispense grace appears to either refuse it or they feel that it would. Many times when a person feels that way it is more perception than reality, but the way a person feels about themselves may determine whether they remain committed to church.
6. Power Struggle — These people had an agenda. They were pursuing an issue—or a position—and when their demands weren’t met and they couldn’t overpower the system, they left.
7. Lack of Connection — These people never connected with others on a deeper level. As a result, they never felt really a “part” of the church. This is a basic reason you can build a strong church through building the Sunday School (The evangelistic-outreach-discipleship arm of the church.)
   
   So, how do we address these issues?  We need to do all we can to help people become disciples. Knowing why they leave may be helpful.  Perhaps as individuals, we can’t address some of these issues—maybe most—much of this is out of our control. But the more we understand, the more we can help people as they experience these circumstances.
   
   What else can we do?  We can be alert to potential problems and pass along perceived difficulties to the Pastor and Deacons before an apparent problem has gone too far to address.   We can also attend church business meetings and make specific recommendations for how the church can address these concerns, reach out those who have already left, and organize a pro-active restorative discipleship program though the Sunday School and other small groups to reclaim and restore as many as possible.
   
   I think there is also a word here to the one who has disappeared or is on the verge of leaving.  Beware!   If you feel the need for church in your life— or if you understand the biblical mandate to be a part of a Body of believers— then guard your heart for the difficulties listed above.  And please help us know how we can be a better church.  In fact, come help us be a better church.
   

Love in Jesus,

Davis

E. Davis Lacey

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