It can be tempting to focus only on the future when thinking about our congregation. What do we want to do? Who do we want to reach? But periodically we need to remember to look back and check on the condition of our flock to see who we have lost and why. We should avoid asking, “Who is to blame?” and instead ask, “How can we improve?”
Numerous warnings in Scripture should make us interested in this exploration. For example, Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet” (Matt. 5:13). Let’s explore some questions to ask so that we don’t lose our saltiness.
Why People Leave
Lifeway Research surveyed 1,001 adults who left churches. All of those interviewed had eventually made their way to a new church, so this snapshot does not include those who are gone for good. But it gives us a lot of insights into why people leave churches.
The most common reason people change churches is because they move. A change of residence is the reason 60% of church switchers left their last church. This reality is something church leaders can anticipate and can help their congregation prepare for, but it does not reveal much to change or improve.
Since the majority of those who attend church twice a month or more have changed churches at least once as an adult (53%), there are still a lot of people to learn from who changed churches for a reason other than moving. Our research dug deeper with more than 400 of them.
Just Not the Same
The largest group of switchers list changes at their church as a reason they no longer attend (29%). When asked to elaborate, the majority of those disgruntled with change pointed to the volume of change itself being the tipping point.
Church leaders should understand following Christ involves changes to our lives as we become more like him. So, ministry by its nature involves change. With that transformative goal in mind, many format, activity and methodology changes may be made within a church. Are we explaining these changes well? Are we seeking the Lord on the pace of change? Are we investing relationally in those the changes affect most?
Others who are discontent with changes in the church pointed to shifts in the church’s teaching on political or social issues or changes in the church’s teachings or beliefs. Other disappointing transitions included a pastor or other staff member they liked leaving the church, the worship style changing, and members they like no longer attending.
Some changes alter foundational elements of your church that are part of what your congregation signed up for when they began attending. People, staff, worship style and teaching are definitely important when people choose a church. When those change, people may feel they don’t know the church, don’t belong or no longer want to be there.
Are our church’s core beliefs anchored on the unchanging source of Scripture? Does our church clearly communicate our core beliefs? Do we challenge participants to meet new people within the church and to invest in those new relationships? Are our small groups having times when they get together socially beyond their regular Bible study times?
Needed More
The second most common reason for leaving a church is that the church wasn’t fulfilling their needs or reasons for attending (29%). If the church were a business, this would be the classic dissatisfied customer. It is possible some of these individuals approached church with a consumer mindset. If we are looking for ways to improve, however, it is more helpful to consider the fact that it is our responsibility to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24).
The majority with unmet needs said their church didn’t help them develop spiritually. Other sizeable groups mentioned not feeling engaged in meaningful work in the church, not making friends, not finding happiness, not finding answers to life questions, and the church not caring about their situation.
Are we starting new Bible study groups in our church to ensure everyone can find a place to connect in a small group? Are we offering opportunities for meaningful service with both broad appeals and individual conversations about where they best fit? Do we have settings where participants can ask the spiritual questions they are troubled by?
We Have a Problem.
More than a quarter of those switching churches said they left their previous church because they became disenchanted with the pastor (27%) or the church (26%). We will address these two together, because the underlying reasons are similar.
When asked why their feelings changed about either, they most frequently said that the pastor or church members are hypocritical or judgmental. They also often indicated the pastor is not a good preacher or is insincere. When talking about the church, many said it was not a place where God was at work, that they were settling for mediocrity, or it lacked a clear purpose or vision.
Are we as leaders approaching ministry with humility? Is our church a place for people with weaknesses or do we pretend everything in our lives is in perfect order? Are we asking people how God is working in their life? Are we telling stories of how God has changed people’s lives? Are we investing in our preaching skills? What is the mission of our church? What are we calling people to be a part of that we can do together?
Don’t See Eye to Eye
More than 1 in 5 church switchers left their last church because they couldn’t agree with some of the church’s teachings or positions on issues or politics (22%). This includes those who felt the pastor or church seemingly aligned with a particular political party or ideology, they disagreed on theological issues, the church was being too liberal for their taste, they disagreed on teachings on moral issues, and the church was being too conservative for their taste.
In this case, the church’s teachings didn’t necessarily change, but the person realized they disagreed. While some of these disagreements are over beliefs about God and applying the Bible to life, others pointed to another type of conviction: political beliefs.
It is worth asking, has our church raised national politics up as of equal or greater importance than biblical beliefs? Are we uniting around something other than the saving grace of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection? Are we willing to follow Christ together with those who have different political beliefs than us?
As you take the time to ponder each of these potential reasons someone may have left your church and the subsequent questions raised, don’t try to tackle improving all of them at once. Pick one or two that need work in your church. Gather other leaders who can help you discern how to improve in that area. Despite the people leaving your church in the past, you can continue becoming what Jesus called you to be—the salt of the Earth and the light of this world.
Scott McConnell, an Outreach magazine contributing editor, is executive director of Lifeway Research.
