Family Org, a web site of Focus on the Family cites a sobering statistic that should cause us to consider the way we relate, or don't relate, to those in our church family. I have no way of knowing if every detail of this statistic is accurate, but do know that many souls are leaving the church. Below is a quote that is scary, and sad:Approximately 22 million Americans say they are Christians and made a faith commitment to Jesus Christ, and say that commitment is still important to them, but they have struggled with faith or relational issues and therefore quit going to church. Tens of thousands more will join their ranks this week.When one considers the value God places on even one soul, and multiplies that 22 million times, it is beyond tragic. What must we, as the church, do to stop this migration from His body? It's easy to always condemn those leaving as being weak, if this is true, what are we doing to strengthen them in an effort to make them strong?
There are many professing Christians who have left the church and no one seems to care. No one in their church family has contacted them, and the one leaving feels that the church doesn't care one way or the other about them. If our blood brother or sister just disappeared, for whatever reason, we wouldn't stop looking until we found out exactly what happened, but if it's our Christian brothers and sisters we often just look the other way and write them off.
Not everyone claiming Jesus as their savior will remain faithful, but when 22 million Americans leave the church, something is definitely wrong!
ADDED NOTE: Al Maxey in his newest Reflections article; Churches of Christ in Crisis, describes some of the problems causing the church to decrease numerically.
9 comments:
I would also note that there are many church-planting movements and home-church organizations arising that are gaining momentum and membership.
There are several nationwide governing bodies and planting movements that may account at least in part for the exodus FoF sees.
Aside from that, yes it is indeed tragic that we're seeing this condition. However, it is because of many things that we see this. In my counseling, I see people who have been alienated by the "faithful" in their church. I counsel those who have been betrayed, gossiped about, backstabbed, told they weren't holy enough, told they hated God, told that if they weren't wealthy they must be in sin, told if they were sick, God had them under a curse.
There's only so long new believers and seekers are going to put up with treatment like this.
I think that first, we must look inwardly as a church, and fix the problems at home. Once we do that, I think the other situation will take care of itself.
Jerald...
Thanks for the comments.
It's unbelievable what some Christians try to put on the shoulders of new members. I have seen the same problems you describe in counseling, and know it's true, but very hard to comprehend.
Churches often don't include new members in their church programs and fellowship groups. Over time many new members feel like their not a part of the church, and look elsewhere for a place they feel content.
Brother Larry it is a sad situation where a Christian new or a seasoned vet. becomes dis-heartned and forsakes assembly. but it is a terriable thing when one becomes so unsettled as to forsake Christ. Without knowing the situation causing them to leave there is no indivudal solution I could give. I am sure the causes are many and varied, if there was but one cause we could work to stop the exodus. Hummm maybe there is but one cause after all. SATAN
Laymond...
The comment Jerald made makes a lot of sense to me:
"I think that first, we must look inwardly as a church, and fix the problems at home.
Christians with a long history at a church probably don't realize how hard it is for a new person to blend into their church surroundings. Often it is very difficult, and on occasions impossible, to identify with the local church when no one seems to care about them.
Important topic!
Here is an intriguing article (actually introduction of a book) that addresses one aspect of the problem.
Alan...
Thanks for the link. This is probably a book we all need to read.
Mr. Murrow has some very interesting ideas that just might help men rededicate their lives to God.
I read Maxie's article with great interest. Thanks for mentioning it.
Forgive me for taking up bandwidth, but this quote is worth the space. From Al Maxie:
"Another reason for our decline is placed squarely at the feet of poor leadership. We have replaced shepherds among sheep with executives in a board room. It's no wonder the flock is being fleeced and fed upon, the shepherds are too busy in the board room deciding the price of wool and what color to paint the sheep gate to nourish, guide and protect the sheep. Decline is inevitable when leaders don't lead, but rather lord. The document also pointed to the matter of congregational relevancy within the community. "People leave the church because their congregations refuse to change -- thus becoming irrelevant to their world." If we become so busy "doing church" that we can no longer truly relate to the needs of our communities, we are destined for decline. Another reason mentioned is: "We are seen as mean, dogmatic, elitist, unwelcoming. True or not, it is the outsider's perception of us." As the document states: "We decline when we attack each other, and we decline when we argue over issues that are not salvation-related." Reason #88 sums it up well -- "People outside our fellowship think we are petty, sectarian, judgmental, and ridiculous and want nothing to do with our issues. Our Jesus could be attractive, but our issues, doctrines, actions, get in the way."
"Here are some additional quick reasons listed in the document: "Our 'sectarian' ways have cost us over the years." --- "Our trivial, selfish battles over style instead of substance have caused seekers to seek elsewhere." --- "We've become fixated on numbers instead of hearts." --- "Too many were converted to the Church of Christ and not Jesus Christ." --- "Our lack of love for those not in the Churches of Christ." --- "Our lack of knowledge about God's grace." --- "We have bound our members to 'opinions' of morality and 'rules' of tradition, instead of to the sound doctrine of Scripture." --- "We have shifted our personal responsibilities to the ministers - youth, education, evangelism." --- "Some are driven away from the church fellowship by leaders 'binding' on them traditions or customs that should not be bound." --- "Low enthusiasm is caused by legalism." Well, there are a great many more reasons listed, but I will leave them for those who may be interested in studying the entire document for themselves."
I could not agree more!
Royce...
Al has a great way of getting right to the point in a hurry.
If not for Al Maxey I would probably still be completely wrapped up in legalism. He has helped me more than any man on earth, and I appreciate his scripture knowledge and wisdom.
More than once Al patiently endured my legalistic approach to following Jesus when he owned the Berean Spirit forum, and he set me straight with a ton of questions that shook my whole belief system to the core.
Larry,
Good for Al, and good for you.
I too came out of legalism. Thank God I can now read the book of Galations with peace in my heart and full assurance of my salvation.
"There is therfore now a REST for the people of God."
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