Why People Leave the Church

Why People Leave the Church
By Rev. Timothy Warren, St. Francis (ISM)

A recent study showing that fewer than 50 percent of Americans identify with any particular church or denomination has generated a lot of discussion. Those in the Church are coming up with various reasons why people are leaving, with the blame often being put upon those quitting. The so-called faithful usually accuse those leaving of losing their faith or making up excuses for not wanting to worship God in community. The truth is, however, despite leaving organized religion, most Americans say they believe in God. Several surveys have been conducted to determine the reasons for this historic drop in church attendance, and the three main reasons lay the blame squarely on the Church itself.

1. The Church doesn’t meet the needs of people. Many feel the Church does not address the everyday issues they face in their daily lives. Those experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression are often told by pastors to have more faith or that they must have sin in their lives. Despite stagnated wages and shrinking budgets, churches push for more financial support from their members, putting an extra burden on already cash-strapped households. In many congregations where a majority of parishioners are older, young families with small children feel unwelcome and unsupported. Conversely, the elderly who can no longer attend services in person are quickly forgotten. Family time is often sacrificed due to demands to attend more than one service a week and to participate in church programs. Bottom line: People are burning out on church.

2. Constant in-fighting over theology, doctrine, and dogma in the Church. The previous Lambeth Conference in the Anglican Communion and the split in the United Methodist Church over social issues underscore the divisions that continue to grow in the Church. Rev. Franklin Graham has stated that Progressive Christians focus too much on social issues and accuses them of working for the devil. Amongst Catholics, conservative bishops have openly opposed Pope Francis in his attempts to create a more welcoming Church. Even in the Independent Sacramental Movement, there are disputes and divisions. People, in general, are tired of all the debates, while most welcome a more inclusive faith that focuses on a relationship with God and with one another, based on respect, love, and justice. Some believers have even dropped the label “Christian” and call themselves “Christ followers” to distance themselves from the toxic environment found in so many church denominations today.

3. The Church has become too political. Our society has become extremely polarized along political lines. This is nothing new; however, it has been exacerbated since 2016. Many churches flat out tell their members they must vote for a particular party or they aren’t true Christians. Sermons are often more about politics than they are about the Good News of Jesus Christ. Pictures of Christ wrapped in an American flag are found in some congregations, and some have gone as far as to encourage their members to attend church armed with loaded weapons. What was once called doing the work of Christ is now labeled as Socialism or Communism, and those with a different worldview are seen as agents of the devil, or worse, the Antichrist himself. While several of America’s mega-churches tend to lean more to the Conservative Right, the vast majority of people in the nation are moderate or left of center. They are leaving the Church either because they can no longer tolerate the toxic politics, or they’ve been asked to leave because they are deemed to be too liberal.

I believe people are leaving the Church due to the failure of the Church to emulate Christ’s message. It’s not because people are no longer faithful. In fact, it’s their faithfulness to Christ that is often driving them away from what passes for the Church in America today. I left the mainline denomination in which I was ordained nearly 10 years ago for the reasons listed above, so I can empathize with the average layperson who has jumped ship. Despite this mass exodus, however, people continue to seek God and a relationship with the Divine. They believe the world can become a better place for everyone. Several of my clergy colleagues and I are committed to serving Christ in all people, especially those who’ve been marginalized and disenfranchised by organized religion. There is a remnant Church emerging that looks very different from the traditional Church model. The challenge to those who are in ordained ministry is to be willing to let go of old paradigms and be leaders in this new movement of God among God’s people.