Why People Change Churches
There is a restlessness among church-goers that is cause for concern for many pastors. It seems that no matter what pastors do the turnover rate can't seem to be slowed or stopped. Lifeway Researchers has done an exhaustive study and found that the trend is national. People are changing churches at an alarming rate. Even doctrinal issues have become less important as Baptists are going to Pentecostal churches, and vice-versa.The study found, that even in fast growing megachurches two things stand out. Most of the growth is transfer growth, and 80% of new attendees end up leaving within 2 years. No one seems to being "doing it right." Pastors are just hanging on and being taken for a wild ride.
The culture of consumerism has been so ingrained in the church, that people come with certain expectations and if they are not met, they walk. The programmatic approach to ministry has created stress levels among professional staff that increases the chances and occurrences of burnout.
Pastors. Elders and other church leaders, need to take stock of what they are offering their congregants to determine if they are part of the problem of creating a consumerist market in their ministries. A whole new approach to defining church in historical orthodox terms needs to be attempted. I am convinced, that unless we are successful at recapturing a first century understanding of church (See Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37 for example), the greatest level of church success and kingdom expansion will continue to be evidenced in second and third world countries.
Meanwhile back in the U.S. we'll continue to play musical chairs.
Labels: church, church growth, consumerism, dissatisfaction
posted by jawbone at
1:30 PM
2 Comments:
Pastor JLR -
Have you read George Barna's book called Revolution?
It describes what you are experiencing but presents a possible explanation that should be considered partly-valid by pastors of churches that are losing their people (in my estimation as a person in the pew).
I am a firm believer that we need a local congregation, but for many of us we want “more” than what occurs on Sunday morning or even during the week in smaller gatherings of Believers. There are strong desires for connection to God, between people, or for that matter people and pastors, which go largely unmet from week to week.
It is a good thing for believers to be taking responsibility for their spiritual maturing and not continue to sit passively in the pew waiting to grow fat.
There is an insatiable hunger that unless the church provides a Life-giving venue in which to feast – yes, believers will seek for it outside the church walls.
By
me..., at 3:31 PM
Pastor, I think you’re absolutely right. The consumerism mentality in the church is a cancer and so many attend church for all the wrong reasons. I always have that underlying principle of sowing and reaping in the back of my mind. I have found time and time again that as I attend a church service with the intention to give the receiving end always takes care of itself. In my opinion, coming to church with the mindset of having your expectations met immobilizes you in finding your part in the body of Christ. It’s no surprise many individuals eventually take up root and go somewhere else. It also doesn’t surprise me that megachurches are a breeding ground for church hoppers. It's so easy to blend in with the crowd. The concept of a megachurch seems so self indulgent to me. Why harness that many people together when they could be spread out and have a greater overall impact? They would probably be more likely to stay in one place. Ultimately, I think maintaining a sense of family in the church and having a great support system keeps us from becoming divided.
td
By
Anonymous, at 6:41 PM
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