Why Some Are Leaving Churches of Christ

[James Nored]

I'm taking some notes in Flavil Yeakley's class on Why Some Are Leaving Churches of Christ.

In his research, Flavil asked three questions of those who left.
1. Why did you leave?
2. What advice do you have for church leaders?
3. What religiosity affiliation do you have?

Retention Rates
- Young adulthood has always been a time of loss across religious spectrum

In survey of those who graduated between 1997 and 2006 (4993 sample size):
- 58% still in C of C
- 21% in another religious group
- 21% in no religious group

Among alumni of Church of Christ colleges, 85% are still members of Churches of Christ.

-85% of those who go to a public college drop out of Churches of Christ. About 1/3 come back

Church Background & Retention Rate
- much more liberal 39.4%
- moderate 62%
- much more conservative 38%

Where did they go?
- 12.5 none
- 3.1 non-Christian
- 5.1 in house churches
- 23.1 community churched
- 23.1 Christian churches
- 32.9 various denominations
the above numbers are from an online survey

This concludes the first session on this subject.


- 58% have left c of c
- 21% have joined some other group
- 21% have no present religiosity affiliation

[Darin Hamm]

What is your take on this information?

58% stay? Sounds pretty good really. I would be interested in knowing what happens to the 85% from state schools. Are they in different groups or away from church all together.

[James Nored]

Darin, Flavil said that our retention rate is actually a bit higher than average--which is not saying much. In state schools, if students are active in a C of C college group, they have a retention rate at about the same as those who attend Christian colleges. I'm not sure where those who drop out go.