Why Do People Leave Church?

on April 13th, 2007

Why do people switch from one church to another? According to a recent study, they leave to run away from the old church. Interesting thoughts on retaining students then, which in turn seems to be answered in a few thoughts:

1) make sure they are engaged
2) involve your students in meaningful work
3) make sure all change is needed, intentional and thoughtful

Ask yourself this question: are my students observers, or are they involved. Are they being ministered to, sitting and watching what is going on? Or are they actively doing ministry, doing something significant in the world?

You can answer these questions in plenty of different ways, but according to the study, if you want them to stay you have to keep these thoughts in your planning continually.

JG




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P-Rob at 2:54pm April 13

good thoughts. i’d add that every now and then — rarely, we’d all hope — the departure of a family can be a healthy thing for a church. when a family causes division, undermines pastors, and works against the spirit of unity, sometimes a “loss” is an actual “gain” for a congregation.