Many years later, my husband, children, and I still attend church within the Foursquare denomination. Then, we were empty nesters. Our adult children attend their church, while my husband and I attend a different large church in Beaverton, Oregon. The church hit a rough patch with the spread of COVID-19 and sad times with a pastor. People left the church. Some came back; some didn’t. But it has continued to thrive. It is where we call home. It is where we have friends. The Spirit of God is always moving there, touching lives and mending hearts.
Being a part of a church is one of the great joys of being a believer in Christ. I want to look at what the early church looked like and its purpose, why people are leaving the church now, and why they should return. Before we look at why people are leaving, we should remember why God created the church in the first place.
After Jesus’s death and resurrection, the early church began. Known as the day of Pentecost, many were in one place when suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon them and rested. They were all filled with God’s Spirit and spoke in other tongues.
In Jerusalem, many God-fearing Jews from every nation were amazed at what happened but questioned the languages they were hearing. They even mocked those newly saved and speaking in tongues. Peter stood up and addressed the crowd in a powerful speech when he heard the Jews questioning the languages that they were hearing. In Peter’s speech, he points the people to Jesus to interpret the death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus and the promise of the Holy Spirit: a gift to all believers who believe in Jesus as the Lord and Savior and put their faith in Him. After Peter’s speech, about 3000 souls were saved.
Looking at the book of Acts, we can see what the early church looked like. Acts 2:42-47 says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." This scripture shows us how God intended His church to look. When we look at the early church, we can learn a few things about its characteristics in studying the scripture from Acts: The church met constantly. They were utterly devoted to the Apostle’s teachings of the Word of God, as seen in scripture. They communed together, eating meals, including the Lord’s supper. They cared for each other’s needs through prayer, selling their possessions, and sharing the income from the proceeds. The early church was devoted to worship, praising God, and displaying goodwill towards everyone. Because of all these things, their hearts were filled with gladness, simplicity, and generosity. And the church grew.
When COVID hit and was spreading, the church and most companies had no choice but to shut their doors. The affects of the closures not only hurt many companies but also the church. Not being allowed to come together as the body of Christ was devastating. Churches started to have services online so that people could still hear the message from their pastor. At first, people were grateful to have some kind of connection to the church. People became used to watching sermons online, and it somewhat became comfortable until it didn’t for many. I remember the first few times we were allowed to get together. We would meet outside in the church parking lot during the summer months. Although thrilled to be back, it felt awkward, as if I were doing something wrong. Later, the church began to meet inside. You had to register for the service and get a ticket. They had plexiglass everywhere, and you had to sit in every other row. As COVID symptoms improved, the conditions at church slowly improved, and people let their guards down.
Soon after COVID, we learned that our pastor was being let go from his position for wrongdoing. His actions hurt the entire congregation. During the transition, I became bitter. We were not getting a lot of answers as to why the pastor was fired and who would be the replacement. After the congregation was told the truth, my husband and I processed the information prayerfully together. But we had enough; we needed a break and left the church for several months. We didn’t really go anywhere new. Honestly, we hiked on Sundays. We went a couple of times to the church our adult children attended and then tried out a new church. But nowhere felt like where God wanted us to be.
Thankfully, during the transition, the church was being led by an interim transitional lead pastor who eventually became the lead pastor, much to our joy. Months later, after taking time away, with rested spirits and new strength, the Lord called us back to our home church. We returned for our friends and because of the many people who’d walk through the church’s doors. These people needed a smile from others to mend their hurting hearts, someone who’d pray for them and offer a Godly word of encouragement, and needed to know Jesus. We knew God was calling us back to help offer that.
Around 40 million people have left the church in the past 25 years. It’s not just the Christian church but Americans of all faiths. 40 million, that’s a lot. There are other reasons besides COVID as to why people are leaving the church. Many leave because they were hurt by the church. I have so much sympathy for people who have been hurt by the church. I have sat down and heard many different stories about the disrespect, neglect, and even abuse people have endured, and my heart breaks for these people. I, too, have been hurt. But, I have learned that avoiding church altogether only brings on more pain through attacks of the enemy. I know this first hand. It hurts. I encourage those to seek help because we are the church; we don’t go to church. There are so many loving Godly brothers and sisters of Christ who would love to hear your story and will love you as only Christ can.
Other people leave the church because they have moved away or lost their friends who attended for one reason or another. With COVID, people had grown comfortable staying at home. They leave because of boredom. If you’re bored at church, you must ask yourself honestly why. Are you paying attention? Perhaps taking notes would help? My church has a sermon discussion group that meets each week. Maybe something like that would help you to understand the sermons better. But, if you’re going to the same church because you’ve always gone, all of your family goes, and you have never gotten anything out of the service, then yes, perhaps a church change is in order. Find a church that is better suited for you. But commit to going somewhere.
Another reason people leave the church is because they’re searching for something they feel the church can no longer provide for them. Or because it’s due to a change in family dynamics. Sometimes, it’s the children’s ministry. Some people have special needs kids, and the church they are going to can’t provide their children with what they need. Possibly, it’s time to look elsewhere if the church can’t accommodate you. Or, your kids are absolutely bored and never want to go. They’re kicking and screaming on the way out the door. I did this as a child, and I turned out ok. I waited until I thought I would get away with not going. But my mom always came in and pulled me out of bed. Finding a church with a good children’s program is essential. According to a survey taken a few years ago, more than 80% of people accept Jesus as their Lord and Savor before the age of 20. Our kids need the church.
https://ministry-to-children.com/childrens-ministry-statistics/
*2/3 of Christians came to faith before the age of 18.
*43% came to Christ before the age 12.
*Less than 1/4 of current believers came to Christ after the age 21.
When our kids were little, we’d take them every week to Sunday school, and they’d joyously go during the week to youth group. They, like me, grew up in the church because of our commitment to go every week. Because of this, they met many quality pastors who spoke truth into their lives and looked after them, and I contribute these people to helping raise them. Our kids wouldn’t have met these God-fearing men and women without us attending church. Our children would not be the Godly women they are today if it were not for the church. The Lord will reward your obedience for going.
"Attending church ever since I was a child gave me a built-in community where I can always have someone to lean on. It has given me a sense of purpose and direction in my life, through being a mentor to students or being able to grow in my skill of digital art."-Kayla Thompson.
Whatever the reason, know this: God never intended for the church to separate and not to be united. He intended for us to unite with a common purpose: praying, learning, and worshiping Him as one body of believers.
To the people who have decided they are done with church, you miss out on the command to gather together in corporate worship. From the amplified Bible it says in Hebrews 10:24-25, “and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.” This verse encourages believers to gather together often and to encourage one another. I believe those who have stopped attending church miss out on the encouragement. By our presence, the presence of other believers, and our commitment to attending church, we can stir others toward loving one another and doing the good works God predestined for us. People need others. We were not meant for solitude.
However, you can absolutely stay at home and watch church online. Church’s have made this so easy to do. You won’t miss out on that aspect. But you should not make this a habit; other believers need you. You can indeed pray with your family and friends. You can have Bible studies and share in partaking in communion with others. You can do many things that do not require a church building. Why? Because the body of believers is the church. We are the church with the Holy Spirit dwelling within each of us. It doesn’t matter if we meet in a building or we don’t. I know a wonderful church in Oregon that meets in one another’s homes: they have worship, learn from scripture, eat, and pray together. They even have fun together, like a church meeting in a building.
There is a handful of things you will miss out on if you don’t attend church regularly. People can get out of the habit of attending each week. I get it; it’s easier not to get up early, rush to get the kids dressed, get in the car, and head to church in hopes you won’t fight along the way and will make it on time. There were many times I’d get upset with my husband or something one of our kids did before getting to the church. I’d be upset with my husband while worshiping. I’d be so mad. On the outside, it looked like I was joyfully singing the words on the screen, but I wasn’t allowing them to get into my heart because I couldn’t let the anger go.
You miss out on corporate prayer. This type of prayer means praying with others. There are many Bible verses about praying together. Matthew 18:19-20 says, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” I heard about a young lady, Meghan, a few years ago who was born with a displaced kneecap. Through her church in Oregon, she went to a youth winter camp at Mt. Hood. She was prayed for during a powerful night of prayer and worship. Several gathered around her, laying hands on her, and they all prayed together. One person who laid hands on Meghan felt a tingling sensation in her hand. That night, Meghan was healed. She said she felt a warm pressure on her knee, and her kneecap had shifted back into place. There is power in being prayed for by other believers in Christ.
You miss out on experiencing the Holy Spirit dwelling in the church's fellowship. 2 Corinthians 13:14 says, "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." We need the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, to empower us to live as God wants us to live: righteously. We need His grace, provision, revelations, and wisdom daily. But, mostly, we need His love.
If you have read my other blog posts, you'd know that my husband and I had a prophecy spoken over us regarding our wayward daughter. Long story short, we both were distraught and didn't want to be at church that night. We were on our way out when we heard the pastor speaking about a wayward daughter who would come home. I was utterly taken aback as I've never had a prophecy spoken over me. We heard this prophecy because we went to church that night. Prophecies are still happening. You can read about the story of my daughter on my blog entitled Wayward Daughter Coming Home.
God's Spirit dwells in every believer's heart. It is extremely powerful when we come together to worship Him. We magnify His name and angels all around us. All of Earth and Heaven rejoice. There are so many other things that you could do with your time than go to church on Sunday morning. But, giving a few hours of your time reaps so many blessings that they cannot be contained. You're not seeing the smile on God's face when you go, learning from His Word and worshipping Him. You can't see the angels surrounding your child when they attend their own Sunday service. The future impact that taking them each week has on their life and yours. Invest in yourself and your child. Make it a habit again to attend church because if you live in a country where you're not persecuted for your Christian beliefs, you're blessed. You are needed. The body of believers needs your smile, encouragement, wisdom and to see the love of Christ shining through you.
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