{"id":32541,"date":"2022-09-10T16:13:36","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/time-not-theology-drives-most-away-from-church\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:13:36","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:13:36","slug":"time-not-theology-drives-most-away-from-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/time-not-theology-drives-most-away-from-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Time, Not Theology, Drives Most Away From Church"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DDP photo – Unsplash<\/div>\n

By Aaron Earls<\/em><\/p>\n

More than 1 in 5 Americans (22 percent) say they currently attend religious services no more than a few times a year, but they used to attend more frequently.<\/p>\n

A new study from Pew Research finds these dechurched individuals previously attended religious services on a regular basis, but now they\u2019re part of the 49 percent of Americans who rarely attend. What happened?<\/p>\n

For almost 7 in 10 (67 percent), it had nothing to do with their beliefs. They didn\u2019t walk out the church doors one Sunday morning and pledge to never return because of a theological disagreement. Instead, it was a practical (50 percent) or relational (17 percent) reason.<\/p>\n

A quarter of former regular attendees (26 percent) did, however, say their leaving involved a change \u201cwith their own personal beliefs or with their church,\u201d according to Pew\u2019s report.<\/p>\n

Here are the top five specific reasons people gave Pew for why they stopped attending religious services regularly.<\/p>\n

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1. Too busy<\/strong> \u2014 For 1 in 5 of the dechurched (20 percent), they were too busy to attend.<\/p>\n

Churches should recognize the busyness factor of many Americans and seek to work against that cultural tendency. Don\u2019t pile more expectations and events on attendees\u2019 plates, but remind them of the importance of gathering with other believers.<\/p>\n

Many churches have found adding creative service times can entice some visitors who have trouble making a traditional Sunday morning service because of a work schedule.<\/p>\n

2. Beliefs changed<\/strong> \u2014 In some cases, people no longer believe what they once did. For 17 percent of Americans, they stopped attending because their beliefs shifted.<\/p>\n

Churches should not change their doctrine in order to attract more attendees, but they should make sure their beliefs are presented clearly. By effectively discipling members, churches can better avoid people changing their beliefs.<\/p>\n

3. Personal priorities<\/strong> \u2014 One in 10 individuals who no longer attend religious services as often as they used to simply say they\u2019ve found better things to do.<\/p>\n

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See also  What Sparks Evangelical Generosity? Discipleship<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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When asked by Pew Research why they\u2019ve stopped attending, 10 percent say they\u2019ve \u201cgotten out of the habit\u201d or even admitted they are \u201ctoo lazy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before it gets to that point, church leaders should make sure attendees understand the value of being part of a local church body.<\/p>\n

4. Practical difficulties<\/strong> \u2014 Eight percent of former attendees said some type of practical, everyday problem kept them from showing up.<\/p>\n

Part of the solution for churches will be to get to know their members. Reach out to them and find out why they stopped coming. Has that family been missing because they had car trouble? Did the woman have to get a second job to help pay bills?<\/p>\n

If church leaders are aware of difficulties in the lives of their members, they can help solve many practical problems that could be keeping someone from church.<\/p>\n

5. Family changes<\/strong> \u2014 For 7 percent of the dechurched, a change to their family led to their decline in attendance.<\/p>\n

Divorce is a likely reason many stopped attending. Among those who have looked for a new congregation at some point in their lives, 11 percent said divorce or marriage was the reason for the search.<\/p>\n

If someone is uncomfortable attending your church due to family changes, work to connect that person to another local congregation where they can be actively involved in Christian community.<\/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