Dave

Alan Jaimieson has completed a PhD (in sociology) on the topic "Churchless Faith", which analysed why people leave churches and their journies of faith outside the church.

Ten Myths About Church Leavers

By Alan Jaimieson

Despite the almost mantra-like status of the statement "people are leaving the church" there still appears to be little understanding about who is leaving, when they leave, why they leave, and what happens to them and their faith after they leave. Of course everyone has their own view on these issues but few, especially our church leaders, have taken the time to sit down and talk with an actual leaver or two.

It is much easier dealing with stereotypes than actual people, even if the stereotypes don't help us understand what is really going on. For those interested in moving beyond the stereotypes and asking: "Who are these people who are leaving our churches?" an examination of some myths about church leavers may prove helpful.

1. It is only the traditional mainline churches that have large numbers of leavers.
2. The people who leave are young adults, people on the fringe of our churches, and people who have not been in the church for very long.
3. Those with children are less likely to leave.
4. If Mum and Dad go to church, their children will grow up to be churchgoers too.
5. The people who leave lack commitment.
6. Leavers don't have an adequate grounding in the faith.
7. They leave because of the increased pressure on people's time today.
8. They leave because of personal issues and disagreements with church leaders.
9. They'll be coming back.
10.They are backsliding and giving away their faith.

Ten Myths About Church Leavers
http://www.reality.org.nz/articles/32/32-jamieson.html

A Churchless Faith
http://www.reality.org.nz/articles/33/33-jamieson.html

In search of Turangawaewae
http://www.reality.org.nz/articles/34/34-jamieson.html

Joyful

I would like to join in this discussion because I left church a few years ago.

Even enough I left church organization, my family and I are still serving the Lord wholeheartedly.

I became Christian several years ago and I knew we have to read the Bible in order to learn to be a good Christian so I started read it right away.

I also thought that everyone is doing the same reading the Bible everyday. But I realized that many of the people are not realy doing it, even those who are studying the Bible they are not changing their life styles according to what they are learning from the Bible.

I have been to many denominations and the situation was the same everywhere, even though some denominations are much better than the others.

I also talked to the leaders about my opinions about the situation but they didn't seem to want to do anything about it.
I concluded that I cannot be useful in this kind of churches and did not waste my family's and my time for the Lord.

The Bible tells us to have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness.

This is my conviction that if we don't serve God with all our might we will never be useful for the Lord but harm His reputaion and disgracing God.

Thank you

M Paul

I believe people give up on the congregational, or institutionl church, because of their commitment to practicing the Christian faith according to biblical principles. That's how the Reformation happened. People no longer accepted the premise that the RCC was biblical, and straying that far from the biblical witness of a Christian life made their faith seem meaningless and irrelevant.

M Paul
This is what I mean.
http:www.loveofchrist.info/church/noninstitutional.html

TreyM

Interesting post Dave. I enjoyed the insite. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

Trey

Dave

You are welcome Trey.

Dave

I very much agree with you M Paul.

I just read the link you posted and thought it was excellent. I would encourage everyone to take a few moments and read it.

M Paul

Thank you, Dave. You are very kind.

M Paul