{"id":32489,"date":"2022-09-10T16:11:34","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/what-keeps-the-dechurched-away-and-how-do-we-get-them-back\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:11:34","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:11:34","slug":"what-keeps-the-dechurched-away-and-how-do-we-get-them-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/what-keeps-the-dechurched-away-and-how-do-we-get-them-back\/","title":{"rendered":"What Keeps the Dechurched Away and How Do We Get Them Back?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Aaron Earls<\/em><\/p>\n

When children raised in the church become adults, they have to make their own decisions about attendance and involvement.<\/p>\n

Gallup found 35 percent of Americans attended a place of worship growing up and now no longer go. The research firm asked these people why they\u2019re no longer involved.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what they said and how the church can address each group.<\/p>\n

I prefer to worship on my own.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Two-thirds of the dechurched (65 percent) say they feel they can connect to God just as well or even better by themselves than with a group.<\/p>\n

Just under half (44 percent) said this was a major factor in their lack of church attendance.<\/p>\n

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Response<\/strong>: Remind (or teach) them about the biblical importance of gathering with other believers, the need for accountability, and the joy that comes from worshipping together as a church family.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not very religious.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Similar numbers (65 percent) claimed their absence from church is due to not considering themselves religious.<\/p>\n

While this was the third most cited \u201cmajor factor\u201d (33 percent), more gave this as a \u201cminor factor\u201d (32 percent) than any other reason.<\/p>\n

Response<\/strong>: Find out what they mean by \u201creligious.\u201d It could be the things they dislike are things Jesus criticized. They may also be lost and need to hear the gospel.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t like organized religion.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This has become a popular reason for skipping church (61 percent), especially as younger Americans mistrust virtually all institutions.<\/p>\n

More than a third (36 percent) say this is a major factor in their lack of attendance.<\/p>\n

Response<\/strong>: As with those who say they\u2019re not very religious, church leaders need to listen to people who give this reason to determine where they actually are spiritually.<\/p>\n

Once you discover their objections toward \u201corganized religion,\u201d you can better know the best way to respond.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t have the time.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In our frenzied, harried world, many claim they aren\u2019t at church because they don\u2019t have enough time (47 percent).<\/p>\n

Only 19 percent say this is a major factor, but 28 percent list it as a minor factor.<\/p>\n

Response<\/strong>: If people desire to attend church but say they cannot find the time, work with them.<\/p>\n

Perhaps their work schedule has kept them away for significant stretches. Find ways to get them involved.<\/p>\n

If it is a matter of priorities and not actually time, help them understand the reasons Jesus founded the church and wants them to be a part of it.<\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t found a church I like.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Almost half of the dechurched (46 percent) say this is part of what has kept them away from church.<\/p>\n

Less than a quarter (22 percent) say this is a major factor in their not attending.<\/p>\n

Response<\/strong>: Hopefully, these individuals just need to be invited to and involved in a healthy, biblical, local church.<\/p>\n

Help them understand that no church will ever be perfect, but God has designed them to best function within a church body.<\/p>\n

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See also  What Sparks Evangelical Generosity? Discipleship<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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I don\u2019t like being asked for money.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For many dechurched Americans (45 percent), the issue of money is a factor in not attending church.<\/p>\n

Almost 3 in 10 (29 percent) say it is a minor factor in their lack of attendance.<\/p>\n

Response<\/strong>: Maybe they have experienced unhealthy teaching obsessed with money. They need reassurance that church is not strictly about giving.<\/p>\n

Others need to realize that the Bible has 2,000 verses on stewardship and money. Christianity is not solely about finances, but Christianity absolutely should influence your finances.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not sure what religion is right for me.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Four in 10 (40 percent) of those who no longer attend church say they aren\u2019t sure which church they should attend because they don\u2019t know which religion is \u201cright.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than 1 in 5 say it\u2019s a minor factor (23 percent) and almost as many say it\u2019s a major part (17 percent).<\/p>\n

Response<\/strong>: If they are deciding between the Baptist and the Presbyterian church down the street, that\u2019s very different from not being sure whether Jesus or Buddha is right.<\/p>\n

Ask questions to see where these people are spiritually and then point them to Christ.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t feel welcome when I attend.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A third of the dechurched (34 percent) say they have felt unwelcomed when they\u2019ve been at church.<\/p>\n

Only 9 percent say it\u2019s a major factor, but a quarter of the dechurched say it is an issue they face.<\/p>\n

Response<\/strong>: If there has been genuine hurt from a previous church, don\u2019t dismiss that. Acknowledge that churches can sometimes feel cold.<\/p>\n

As you speak with them, your goal should be to reassure them they will be welcomed and loved at your church. Make that a priority in your congregation.<\/p>\n

Poor health or other problems prevent me from going.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For 3 in 10 dechurched Americans (29 percent), they aren\u2019t there each week because their health or other issues keep them away.<\/p>\n

Ten percent say this is a major factor and 19 percent say it is a minor one.<\/p>\n

Response<\/strong>: If their health legitimately makes it impossible for them to attend services, work to get them involved as much as possible.<\/p>\n

Visit and pray with them. Provide a way for them to listen to the services. Let them know they are still a part of the church body even though their physical body won\u2019t allow them to be present.<\/p>\n

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Aaron Earls<\/h2>\n

@WardrobeDoor<\/p>\n

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Aaron is a writer for LifewayResearch.com.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n