Lock the Doors! Why Do Christians Leave the Church?
For every one soul that is converted to Christ, there are at least two who walk away from Christ and His church. We must put Christ and the church together. Some are under the impression that they can be unfaithful to the church, but still be faithful to Christ. But this is an impossibility. You see, Christ is the head of the church, and the church is the body of Christ.
Why do people leave Christ and His church? Some say, "I don't like being in crowds." Someone else says "So and so said something that really hurt my feelings." What about this one? "There are too many hypocrites in the church."
There are a number of reasons why so many leave the church. Let's look at a few of them and then observe the remedy for keeping more souls in the church of Christ.
Some lack true conviction.
In the parable of the soils (Lk. 8), we read about four types—good, way side, thorny, and rocky. I only want to mention two of these—the rocky and thorny soils. The rocky soil is the one that receives the seed, it penetrates the soil, but because of the rocks beneath the soil, it soon loses root. With the thorny soil, the word is received, but when the plant that the seed produces grows, the thorns choke the life out of it.
Some Christians are like rocky soil. They receive the word, but when temptation, trial, or persecution come along, they just quit and walk away. Some new Christians face a great deal of ridicule from friends and family, and if they are not strong, and do not have a strong support system within the church, they will often walk out the back door and never return.
Other Christians are like the thorny soil. Just when they really start to grow, they are bombarded with the things of life—some of which are very legitimate. Sometimes it's a profession. For others it's pleasure (by the way, God is not anti-pleasure). Others are overwhelmed with riches. Many get wrapped up with recreation and hobbies. None of these things are inherently wrong, but allowing them to take number one priority in our lives hurts God, and will eventually cause one to walk out the back door.
Some, because of loss, have become calloused.
Good brethren often become unfaithful because they suffer loss—enduring great trial within their own lives or in the lives of someone they love.
Sometimes that loss is a wife or husband. Some have left the church of Christ because of the loss of a son or daughter—to illness, war, or some other tragedy. Others have left Christ and His church because they have lost their job. Many will leave the church because of a family crisis—death, divorce, sickness, a move, etc.
For some, the loss is more than they feel like they can bear. I use the words "feel like" because God will never give us more than we can bear. There is not one trial that we experience where God does not give us a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).
Suggestions to keep people from losing their commitment.
As we said in the beginning, for every one person who is converted to Christ, thus becoming a member of the church of Christ, there are at least two who leave Christ and His church. Since we know this is a real problem, what can we do to lock the doors? Below are just a few suggestions that may help the local congregation:
1. Clarify doctrinal questions. New Christians are just that—new. They are still going to have questions—Why should we not use instruments in worship? Why is it wrong for women to lead in worship? What is wrong with calling the preacher, pastor?
2. Have high expectations of people. This is something that elders really need to keep in mind. Expect great things from the flock, and hold them to it. When members become negligent, remind them that their dereliction of duty is having a negative impact on the church.
3. Have a new converts class. New Christians are generally very zealous, but need direction. Let's not kill their enthusiasm by not showing them where to begin.
4. Get people involved in ministry. Not everybody has the same ability. Some are great personal workers, but terrible song leaders. Others are great song leaders, but can't preach from the pulpit. That's alright. We don't all have to have the same ability, but let's encourage everyone to do their part to help the local church thrive.
5. Have an affective Bible school program. Many will say, "I'm a faithful Christian today because I had a wonderful Sunday School teacher." Let's create an atmosphere that will lend itself to encouraging the young and old to become Christians, and to grow as Christians. 6. Instill within people the attitude that says, "I want to be like Jesus." I mean this reverently when I say, we need to see "little Christ's" running around our community. Elders, preachers, Bible Class teachers, Godly parents and concerned faithful Christians, should create in us the desire to be just like Jesus (Phil. 2:5).
Why do people leave Christ and His church? Some say, "I don't like being in crowds." Someone else says "So and so said something that really hurt my feelings." What about this one? "There are too many hypocrites in the church."
There are a number of reasons why so many leave the church. Let's look at a few of them and then observe the remedy for keeping more souls in the church of Christ.
Some lack true conviction.
In the parable of the soils (Lk. 8), we read about four types—good, way side, thorny, and rocky. I only want to mention two of these—the rocky and thorny soils. The rocky soil is the one that receives the seed, it penetrates the soil, but because of the rocks beneath the soil, it soon loses root. With the thorny soil, the word is received, but when the plant that the seed produces grows, the thorns choke the life out of it.
Some Christians are like rocky soil. They receive the word, but when temptation, trial, or persecution come along, they just quit and walk away. Some new Christians face a great deal of ridicule from friends and family, and if they are not strong, and do not have a strong support system within the church, they will often walk out the back door and never return.
Other Christians are like the thorny soil. Just when they really start to grow, they are bombarded with the things of life—some of which are very legitimate. Sometimes it's a profession. For others it's pleasure (by the way, God is not anti-pleasure). Others are overwhelmed with riches. Many get wrapped up with recreation and hobbies. None of these things are inherently wrong, but allowing them to take number one priority in our lives hurts God, and will eventually cause one to walk out the back door.
Some, because of loss, have become calloused.
Good brethren often become unfaithful because they suffer loss—enduring great trial within their own lives or in the lives of someone they love.
Sometimes that loss is a wife or husband. Some have left the church of Christ because of the loss of a son or daughter—to illness, war, or some other tragedy. Others have left Christ and His church because they have lost their job. Many will leave the church because of a family crisis—death, divorce, sickness, a move, etc.
For some, the loss is more than they feel like they can bear. I use the words "feel like" because God will never give us more than we can bear. There is not one trial that we experience where God does not give us a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).
Suggestions to keep people from losing their commitment.
As we said in the beginning, for every one person who is converted to Christ, thus becoming a member of the church of Christ, there are at least two who leave Christ and His church. Since we know this is a real problem, what can we do to lock the doors? Below are just a few suggestions that may help the local congregation:
1. Clarify doctrinal questions. New Christians are just that—new. They are still going to have questions—Why should we not use instruments in worship? Why is it wrong for women to lead in worship? What is wrong with calling the preacher, pastor?
2. Have high expectations of people. This is something that elders really need to keep in mind. Expect great things from the flock, and hold them to it. When members become negligent, remind them that their dereliction of duty is having a negative impact on the church.
3. Have a new converts class. New Christians are generally very zealous, but need direction. Let's not kill their enthusiasm by not showing them where to begin.
4. Get people involved in ministry. Not everybody has the same ability. Some are great personal workers, but terrible song leaders. Others are great song leaders, but can't preach from the pulpit. That's alright. We don't all have to have the same ability, but let's encourage everyone to do their part to help the local church thrive.
5. Have an affective Bible school program. Many will say, "I'm a faithful Christian today because I had a wonderful Sunday School teacher." Let's create an atmosphere that will lend itself to encouraging the young and old to become Christians, and to grow as Christians. 6. Instill within people the attitude that says, "I want to be like Jesus." I mean this reverently when I say, we need to see "little Christ's" running around our community. Elders, preachers, Bible Class teachers, Godly parents and concerned faithful Christians, should create in us the desire to be just like Jesus (Phil. 2:5).
posted by Neil Richey @ 5:52 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
In one of your blogs you make the statement "As we said in the beginning, for every one person who is converted to Christ, thus becoming a member of the church of Christ, there are at least two who leave Christ and His church." Do you have a source for this statistic? Could it also be that they are not leaving Christ but leaving our "modern church" and it's form of marketing ideas to gain members. Perhaps followers are not leaving Christ but have become disapointed with the organizations.
This is a lie. You can love and serve the Lord without tolerating the hypocrites who call themselves christians in a formal church setting. The believers who love Christ are the true church, not the building, and not the man-made denominations.
You are mistaking "church" for "The Church". The congregation for the Body of Christ. Many are leaving local or institutional churches because they are not being fed the "Bread of Life", but they are not leaving the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ. They are also tired of the lack of love from their brothers and sisters. Think back to someone you know who has left, and ask yourself if you ever contacted them to ask how they are doing, or just told them you care. Or, if you did contact them did you make them feel inferior for not attending anymore. OUR lack of genuine love is driving many elewhere.
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