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?

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some of the “hopping” is legitimate.  People move because of jobs.  People also move because God calls them to.  Some people get “hurt” and rather than be healed biblically - they run and hide in another church.  Some come to a church with their own agenda hoping to change the church “their way.” I can prevent some of the “hopping” by getting to know the people but even some I have ministered and loved have left for the wrong reason.  We are human.  Even saints disagree and separate (Barnabas and Paul come to mind). 

Just my thoughts.

Ephesians 4:14-16
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
What is this saying?  It says we need to grow up and quit acting like little babies. When things don’t go our way or someone doesn’t treat us like we think we should be treated, we run off like a small child.  Or if we dislike something the pastor said we get mad and leave.  We are called to the body of Christ to add to and to build up and edify each other.  Not to tear it down and rip it apart.  If I hurt my thumb with a hammer, I don’t cut it off because it hurts.  I take it and tenderly care for it.  I’m not saying there are times that we are suppose to move on to another place.  What I am saying is that we need to get on our knees and seek God’s will in our moves.  I’ve seen too many run here and there trying to find that perfect place, and all they end up with is confussion from following every wind of doctrine.  I think it’s time we grow up and live our walk.  The Bible says “They will know we are His by the love we show to each other”.  Love covers a multitude of sin or wrongs.  Let’s grow up time is too short!!!

Could it be that some of the church hoppers aren’t spiritual vagabonds, but in fact looking for a church that is a good fit for them, theologically?  They are in fact hungry for God and want to fellowship in the Word with others of like faith.

Not everyone that leaves a church is a “church hopper” or leave because there ticked-off. People leave for many different reasons. While I do believe a great number of people leave over some problem, disagreement or dispute there are many that change churches because their church doesn’t really meet their needs. I’m talking about the family in a church that doesn’t have adequate children’s or youth programs. And how about the almost non existent collage and young married ministries that most are cheesy at best. The church needs to wake-up and smell the coffee. Most churched don’t know when people stop attending and don’t care enough to leave the 99 and go after the 1 missing from their congregation. We need to bring back true discipleship into our churches and not just play the game fooling ourselves into thinking we are winning.

It’s true, some will get their nose bent over the littlest thing and have the attitude “if you don’t play my way, then I’m not going to play at all” But when all is said and done were dealing with sheep… that right I said sheep. And the last time I checked, sheep need a Sheppard.

“HE GIVES AND TAKES AWAY. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD.” I think Job said this.