1 in 4 People: Church Hoppers
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, September 28, 2005
- Viewed 102
- (43) comments so far
So... I'm interested in what you think... what reasons do you think that this is the case?
I'll start:
People are fickle. People leave over anything. People like to stir up controversy. People can't get along. People can't get past their own preferences and leave on a dime when something is cated to them.
I think an interesting study would be to see how many 'repeat offenders' there are in this group. How many church hoppers change every five years. I know a slew of them from my past. And how does this same group of people keep getting ticked off every five years or so.
I almost think that the church is divided into two groups... the 'hoppers' and the 'lifers'. (The 'lifer's would never leave a church, even if there WAS a good reason).
What say you?
Todd
According to a recent study: 1. 1 in 4 church attendees have switched churches in the past five years. 2. On average, just 7% of new attenders are formally unchurched…
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Chris on Wed, September 28, 2005
Why should they be any different? Most pastors shift churches at least every five years. I’m young, but I’m guilty of that.
Why should it surprise us that our congregants don’t stay in churches longer than the pastoral staff?
Tyler Jagen on Wed, September 28, 2005
The study doesn’t surprise me, and Chris is right. We are influenced by our culture that is saturated in consumerism. If something or even someone doesn’t meet our need we are very and more often than not too quick to move on to supposedly greener pastures.
Also we teach Christians (though we don’t mean to) to judge the value of a church primarily on the quality of music, speaking and niche ministries offered rather than Christlike/authentic relationships.
I’m all for excellence in all that we do, but I hope that we teach Christians (not just by what we say on stage or through other forms of rhetoric, but by what they see in our personal lives) that being excellent in our relationships with God and other is what truly sticks and has real value.
Aaron on Wed, September 28, 2005
It is an interesting predicament. Pastors moving on to the next new thing. And congregations moving from church to church.
Typically I see people move from church to church as thier status in life changes. One church while single because of a great single ministry. Then move (usually in groups) to the young family church, and progress to the church with the dynamic youth prorgam. Then after all those moves find themselves with an empty nest and not knowing where to find themselves after their journey.
It is unique to find a church where the people in the church have a history together and still seeks to reach out to new people in an aggressive manner.
Bart on Wed, September 28, 2005
I agree with Aaron’s post. We have churches that seem to specialize in certain age groups. Many church growth “experts” tell us to find our target audience and then strategically go after that group. You end up with a church that is centered on a peticular age. My other comment is that statistics show the average american moves every seven to ten years. With that often will come a church hop. I was a member of four different churches in a six year period. My job took me to four different cities. I would not consider myself a church hopper. Do the 1 in 4 stats consider this type of movement?
William Blair on Wed, September 28, 2005
Chris hit the mark on consumerism. Its not just a part of our culture, it drives our culture. The end result is “that its all about us”. The real problem is that this contrary to the gospel and counter-productive to true and deep discipleship. One interesting thing that I’ve seen consistently in this area where I pastor: boomer parents who have consistently jumped from church to church usually produce adult children who don’t attend church at all. Just a pattern I’ve noticed.
Monica on Wed, September 28, 2005
So, is it Biblically wrong to leave a church?
Take it deeper. Is it wrong to leave if the church is stepping out of the will of God, or did God put you there to enable change?
Is it wrong to leave if your life situation changes (marriage, kids, etc)or does God want you to stay and begin a ministry to those same people?
Is it wrong to leave if you are pushed out by the “loud” few that don’t want you there or should you stay the course and not submit to the “will of men”?
As a church leader, I often struggle with frustration for people who church-hop. But, as a married person with kids, I understand the need for a church to minister to a family, not just the 80-yr-olds. I understand that our own preferences can cloud our vision of God’s will, but then what do you do if the leadership’s preferences are superceding God’s will?
All these questions make me dizzy! Seriously, I’d love some perspectives because I really don’t know.
tad on Wed, September 28, 2005
RE: “church hoppers” and “church shopping - i have been guilty of the same. then it hit me that what i was doing was looking for a church that ALREADY believed like i did at the present moment. how egotistical is that? i found that “church shopping” is going about it all backwards. we should first try to find out if there is, in fact, “One True Church” (or at least, the “truEST” Church we can find). once we determine what the church or denomination is, shouldn’t we then try to align our beliefs and practices with they teach and do EVEN IF we don’t currently understand and/or agree with all they preach and do today?
when we church shop, we set ourselves up as the sole arbiter of truth in the universe, looking for a church that lines up with us, rather than aligning ourselves and our beliefs with that of the Bride of Christ.
in Christ,
tad
tad on Wed, September 28, 2005
someone asked, “is it wrong to leave a church?”
a very loaded question. if it IS wrong, then maybe Luther was wrong, and all those that followed…
what does Jesus, Paul and the bible say? well, i believe we are to submit to all the authorities over us. that is, we should not rebel or be a “protest”-ant (and remember this is written and taught to a people who had more reason to “rebel” and become a “protest"ant than almost any group in history!). in Matthew 23 Jesus even tells the people to listen to their hypocritical leaders! DO what they say, but don’t DO what they DO. then there is Romans 13, Ephesians 5 & 6, and Titus 3.
not much room for “breaking away” and starting “independant” churches, is there? how ‘bout breaking away, revolting, and starting your own “Christian” country?
Christ prayed that we would remain One.
in Christ,
tad
Peter Hamm on Thu, September 29, 2005
Tad,
Sounds like you’re Catholic, or maybe considering it. No, seriously… I’ve known several people that wrestled with this issue the same way you did, and ended up “returning” to Rome. Interesting, huh?
But… I for one think it’s great that no matter what town you live in or move to, you can probably find a church that suits you, in regard to age, stage in life, affinity, whatever. I wrestled with this question years ago when I went from one church to another in the same town, because I felt like God wanted me there to prepare me for what eventually became a full-time ministry position in another place, but I place a high value on sticking where you are, so I resisted for a while. In fact, I’ve subsequently maintained better relationships with the first of those churches than the second.
I think you should stick it out in difficult circumstances as long as possible, maybe till you get “kicked out.” That’s why I applaud all you Mainliners out there who are fighting battles within your own denominations… but NOT leaving.
chris on Thu, September 29, 2005
The local church is a miniature version of the universal church, which is pictured as a body.
If a physical body is at the point of death, ravaged by disease, and organs are dying one by one, an organ transplant may be in order.
On the other side, if the appendix is sick, you don’t remove the heart to “protect” the heart from the appendix.
I think you have to be really careful before you break fellowship with a local body. If there’s a sickness that will kill the body (i.e. doctrinal heresy, lack of leadership integrity on a mass scale, etc…) you have a responsibility to transplant yourself into a healthier body. But you don’t need to transplant yourself into another body just because you’re not as comfortable you used to be. That could cause damage to the rest of the body.
Many of us get upset because the church “isn’t meeting our needs any more,” and we jump ship instead of staying to fix the problem. Unfortunately, the primary purpose of the church isn’t to “meet our needs.” It’s to glorify Christ.
In your search for the perfect church, it’s also important to remember that if you find one, you shouldn’t join it. You’ll ruin it.
Nell on Thu, September 29, 2005
I think people leave churches for a variety of reasons. Some are outgrowing where they are. Can one hunger beyond what they are receiving? Yes. Some are leaving becasue the word is convicting them in their sin? Can the truth offend, yes especially when you are not living what God desires and is correcting. Some are leaving becasue they see corruption in the church. Oophs, stepped on toes I’m sure but that is me. We must come to the place where we understand that we are the church. There will always be “rebels” renagades and busybodies that get mad and leave the “church” established body, but we must understand that we are really the true church. It doesn’t matter where one goes unless the truth is really in us going to fellowship with other belivers will eventually cause us to be discontent. See the true church is us. Some Christians are fed up with church as usual, doctrine, formality with the program and you know church as usual. When God arises people get upset with their little comfort zone being bothered (cause they can’t control “church” anymore and want to leave), you know the wannabee crowds. But church hoppers will still be hopping, we just better be sure we know the difference between church hoppers, intercessors for churchs and people hungry for God when we label others. Best thing to do is pray for the true church then maybe we wll stop having so many Christians, not tares going from place to place. Some people are hungry for God, want mentors, need to feel love. Who know the motive of man’s heart, its not always a bad thing to move. Sometimes it can preserve your soul.
Michael on Thu, September 29, 2005
1 out of 4 church staff are hoppers. But consider how often people move these days, and how many different denominations and churches there are, these statistics don’t seem out of line.
I don’t think we should sit back and blame it on the people, and call them fickle consumers. We will not change a consumer mentality by pointing it out and complaining about it. I think things like this are good reasons to look in the mirror and evaluate our own churches and ministries. If one out of four people leave my church or don’t get connected when they come through the doors, that’s something for me to evaluate.
BeHim on Fri, September 30, 2005
I’ve heard it said there are four types of believers:
1. Those that are not saved and know they are not saved.
2. Those that are saved and know they are saved.
3. Those that are saved but don’t know they are saved.
4. Those that think they are saved but are not saved.
1 and 2 are for the most part “founded” in their belief. Three is seeking/searching, not sure or not illuminated at this point. But the most dangerous of the four is number 4. Those that believe they are saved but are not truly saved.
Many of these will hop churches.
One thing I find interesting though is how none of the posts on the blog have discussed themselves as the possible reason people leave.
Am I as a leader taking an account of myself in my service to others? This of course MUST be done as Scriptural. Am I setting the example at my home as 1 Timothy suggests? Am I studying to show myself approved as 2 Timothy suggests? Am I gaurding myself and those I teach and lead against false teachings as many of the Epistles exhort us to do so?
With a greater number of churches and denominations comes less accountability and discipline so we must discipline ourselves and those willing to hear and do as the Scriptures say. The others, we still speak the truth in love to them and exhort them to do the right thing. Many will move on to a church that is “more accepting” but when it gets down to it, they are running from Scriptural Discipline (being “doers”).
I will say that many pastors are as much to blame as the parishoners in that they #1 don’t listen #2 won’t equate action to the Scriptures and #3 assume autonomous authority rather than rely on Scripture as the Authority.
Melissa on Sat, October 01, 2005
Wow! As a church member who has switched churches in the last 5 years, I’m in shock at your post. I attended my last church for over 9 years until I had children and they started offering an extremely controversial parenting program. I tried to speak to the pastor about the program but he insisted that he saw nothing wrong with the program and that lots of people in the church “liked it”. It became the ONLY parenting program the church would offer and they would not consider anything else (it covers birth through the teen years).
SO, I guess according to your post, “I’m fickle, like to stir up controversy and just can’t get along”? I think you need to spend some time talking to more folks that switch churches. Yes I switched because I couldn’t trust the ladies in the nursery with my child. They let my child cry through an ENTIRE CHURCH service and told me that he needed to “get used to it”. That was the last time I placed my child in the nursery and yes, after confronting the Pastor, I did choose to leave. I did a lot of research on churches and spoke to each and every pastor more closetly before I joined my next church.
Go ahead with your name calling but it sounds to me like you haven’t talked to too many people about why they’ve left a church. I think people leaving churches says more about the modern day church than it does about the parishoners….
Michael Rew on Sun, October 02, 2005
I left my childhood church, as a child, when my family moved across town and decided (after attending a few more years while commuting) to change to a church near our new neighborhood.
I visited a church where I was led to the Lord, and I left that church because the youth pastor was laid off, and no one was there to disciple me. I was a teenager and a new believer, so if what I did seemed self-centered, how was I supposed to know? I was young in life and young in the Lord.
I left my family’s new church when I was a teenager because I realized at one point that I had been taught everything I was going to be taught at the level where I was at, and when I tried to go deeper, I was told I had to go to college and seminary. (This, ironically, probably in any instance would have led to me leaving that church, anyway, because I might have had to move away to attend a college.)
I met a man at a parachurch ministry, when I was looking for a new church, who invited me to my next church. I was involved in the parachurch ministry until I got the idea in my head that the younger generation of that ministry was leaving me out, and the young adults who were part of my time had almost all left. So I left, too.
I stayed at the new church, where I was loved and taught much, and I loved everyone there, until my father was transferred out of state. I did not have the means at that time of remaining behind, so I left my new church and went with my family.
In our new town, I joined the first church I picked out of the phonebook that sounded like it agreed with what I believed. I was a part of that church until I went away to college, which was about an hour’s drive away, and decided not to come home every weekend.
At college, I joined Chi Alpha. I left it when I left college. I also joined my best friend’s church, and I left it when I left college.
Back in my parents’ town in the new state, I went back to my old church after I left college (and whenever I came home on the weekend). But then the Vineyard came to town, and I liked it a lot. I pulled double duty for a while, but eventually, I went to the Vineyard as my home church. But there were no bad feelings about the move. I left that church when my father retired, and we went back to our old state. I did not have the means to remain in the new state.
I went back to my old church when I came home. I stayed there until my pastor and I had, in my mind, a major disagreement about what to do with my life. I felt like I could not go on butting heads with him, so I left and joined the home fellowship that came out of that church (because my current pastor disagreed with my former pastor about the direction of the church).
I now attend a home fellowship. My old church voted to disband, so if I had stayed, I doubt the outcome would have been any different.
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