There’s a big difference between missing a Sunday and disconnecting from your church. There are key reasons people are drifting from church.
Vacations, travel for work, and kids have travel ball. That’s part of life. But when part of life, turns into a different life, it may be time to re-think your new trend and the possible results.
A long-time friend and volunteer leader in his church had not attended in months. I asked him if something had upset him.
He said, “No, I love my church. We just got busy, started missing here and there, and then, well you know, it was just easier not to go. Oh, and we watch online sometimes.”
We talked for a long time. It was a great conversation.
He concluded by saying, “You know, I really don’t have a good reason for no longer attending church, I just got lazy. My family (they have three kids), and I will start again next week.” And they did.
As human beings, we follow habits and patterns.
When it comes to church, drifting from church leads to distance and distance leads to disconnection.
The point of weekly worship is not attendance; it’s participation in the body of Christ.
Christianity was never designed to be an independent endeavor. God created us to be in relationship with Him and each other. He made us on purpose with a purpose, and we live that out best together.
If you’re not worshipping at your church much these days, I hope this post encourages you to return. There is something special about worship with the body of Christ.
People return to church for a variety of reasons, including a direct prompt from God.
Sometimes they return because of their kids. That’s great! Sometimes it’s because of personal tragedy, that’s always heartbreaking, but I’m still glad they return. It might be a wedding or a funeral. Your church is happy to see you again, but I truly believe your life is more enriched when you regularly participate as part of the body of Christ. If any of the following excuses ring true for you, perhaps this is a good time to return to church.
5 Reasons People Are Drifting From Church
Drifting From Church Reason #1: “The church doesn’t meet my needs.”
It’s possible that a church may not meet all your needs; in fact, it’s likely.
The question of expectations is usually at the core of this issue. What should a church, your church, be expected to do, offer, or provide?
What is the role of the church, according to the Bible?
This post would be far too long if I wrote a detailed answer to that question, but I can summarize the primary purpose of the church in two words: “make disciples.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
That means the church’s primary function is to help people mature in their faith, to grow spiritually. (And that includes first reaching those who are far from Jesus.)
After that, all “programs” are an option. Since no one church can do everything, it’s a choice the leaders must make.
The most common example of a church not meeting someone’s needs is a complaint that the sermon lacks in some way. It doesn’t “feed” them.
I’m the first to agree that the Sunday message should be well prepared, based on scripture and bathed in prayer. But as a person grows in their spiritual maturity, they become able to dig out biblical truth and wisdom from the Bible on their own. The Sunday sermon becomes a gold mine for anyone to find a nugget of applicable truth and wisdom.
Ultimately, the church is a place where you help meet the needs of others.
Drifting From Church Reason #2: “I attend online.”
Online church is awesome. Technology helps advance the purpose of the church in significant ways. You might not be feeling well, traveling for work or on vacation. There are many times when online church is a great resource, and some people physically can’t attend.
One advantage I love about online church is sharing a sermon with a friend who is not a Christian.
