Why is "church" not working for most people?

[James Nored]

Weekly church attendance in the US is 17.5% and dropping. Why is this? Why is it that "church" just is not working for the majority of people?

 

One of the new members on the Missional Outreach Network told me that she found this site through reading Mike Slaughter's book, Change the World: Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus. Naturally, I checked the book out. I'm just now going through it, but it looks like it will be good.

 

In this book, Slaughter says that he posted on his Facebook page the question, "Why do you feel the church is not working for the majority of people?" A great question to ask. Here are some of the responses that he received:

 

"The church lacks a message of hope." "Lives that contradict teachings." "Teaching that is abstract and not relevant to daily living." "I feel that I will be judged and condemned if I go to church." "Pastors who make poor choices in their personal lives."

 

"Christians look down on those who fail to live up to their standards." 

 

"The common thread in the reasons my friends avoid church is hypocrisy."

 

"I haven't found any churches that are engaging. They seem to be all about rituals and never relevant to today." 

 

"I feel that I am being talked at, never as a participant but as an observer."

 

"Churches fail to address the life issues of college age students in a time when we are questioning faith." 

 

Obviously, we are not connecting with a lot of people. The church is deemed irrelevant, judgmental, and out of touch. 

 

So, I would encourage you to post this same question on your Facebook page, then come back here and share the responses that you received and let's discuss them. "Why do you feel the church is not working for the majority of people?"

 

[Bob Young]

Thanks, James, for sharing the article.  Based on my research, I think the number is about correct--no more than 15-20% of the total population attending church on any given Sunday/weekend.

Simplistic answer--the church isn't working because it isn't being about what the church is supposed to be about.

[James Nored]

Tara, you are right that Wednesday night does not fit into many people's schedules. I actually liked this Wednesday night at the Park because it enabled us to come in contact with a lot of people we would not have otherwise (you can read my blog post on this). But I understand your point about being tied to a particular time schedule.

[Tara]

And I imagine plenty of other people have jobs that they get home from between 6 and 7p on Wednesdays.  At that time you just want to relax, feed everyone supper (which is not relaxing) and put tomorrow's laundry in the washer (which is also not relaxing).  And not everyone can chose a job that doesn't get off at 5p on Weds and then have an hour drive home.

I realize I am only addressing Weds., not Sunday...but it's indicative of the problem.  Church is a time that we feel like we "have to" go to, or be judged.

 

[Tara]

that's should have beem "go" of course. not "gi."

[Tara]

I know there is a soultion.  But I don't think the solution necessarily involves getting people to start "going to church" again.  For example, tonight, our church is meeting at a local park because the local high school is using our building for baccalaureate.  (sorry if I misspelled that)  :)    I felt NO desire to go, nor any Biblical mandate to go.  My husband is away at work.  When he found out I didn't go, he was dissappointed.  Why?  Where in the Bible does it say I need to "gi" to church on Wednesday night?  With my work schedule, at a job I can't quit because my husband recently was laid off, I have NO desire to add something else to things I have to do on weeknights.  Wednesday night church becomes a burden, and another stressor, rather than being a time of fellowship to get together with fellow Christians.  I loved Wednesday night church in high school, because it was a midweek re-charge of the batteries.  Now it is more of something I "have to" do, rather than something I want to do.

[James Nored]

Rick, "being the church" and not just "attending church" is, I believe, a common desire for many today. But would not being the church also translate into people wanting to worship with God's people? This seems intuitive, and yet does not seem to be happening. So obviously, there is something else going on. What is it?

[Rick Healy]

I want to be the Church not just attend church. Lets be real & transparent as a church not just looking at the back of the persons head. It is not about a one man show. It is about a body that lives together & shares life together. I can't stand the words from men that this is there church when they have not died or rose for that church. Jesus is the head, King, Savior, Lord & the only one who went to the cross & beat death!!!

[James Nored]

I'm already getting some good responses for this question on my Facebook page. So I hope that you'll post this question and share the results back here.