Why People Are Leaving the Church [TGC Podcast - Ep. 349]

We’re currently living through the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history, with 40 million people having left houses of worship, mainly in the last 25 years.

In this breakout session from TGCW24, Jim Davis and Michael Graham, authors of The Great Dechurching, unpack four types of people who’ve left evangelical churches, why they left, and why more than half of them are willing to return.

📝ON THIS VIDEO:
2:25 Why we need data on dechurching
4:57 Key findings from The Great Dechurching's study
6:50 The timeline and causes of dechurching
11:44 Four profiles of dechurched individuals
31:05 Myths and misconceptions about dechurching
38:18 Practical steps for engaging the dechurched

🔗MENTIONED:

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[goaliemelvin]

Some absolutely shocking statistics here, especially the one about being 8 times less likely to de-church if you have a graduate degree and grew up in the church. That is mind blowing. Love these guys!

[brianhardgrave]

This guy could be correct, or the reason people are not interested in the Church could be that the Church has become Entertainment Based. Shallow preaching and rock concert worship. There are many people who desire to feel close to God at church and are not experiencing, or finding it. I would love to go to a church where the congregants are encouraged to use their Spiritual Gifts, and evangelize....Instead, it's a concept of, "come in, sit down, and watch."

[Ruby-wise]

TY for this informative presentation..I am a De-Churched, elder, exEvangelical, female, limited income bc of illnesses, college degreed, left current church in the trifecta of COVID, Political division and local, racial tension. After a life-long attendee and educator in the church, I will not be returning to an Evangelical church. My current church search is for solid biblical teaching, small group gatherings, 99% less entertaining and musical presentations and primarily liturgical.

[angelasmith]

Seems like relationship with Jesus should be most important. I switched churches because I didn’t want a “social club”. That’s not to say relationships aren’t key, but I want to worship Jesus most of all.

[luxunumbracrj]

Would be nice to see the slides that he is referencing? 7:29

[elizabethacosta]

Is loving Christ first not obvious 😢.

Relationship with others is better when we're awakened to the love and kindness of God ❤

[luketwelvefour]

I 'amen' the statistics frankly. 'change only occurs when the pain of staying the same, exceeds the pain of change'. Churchianity is long over due for change. The traditions of men is in every building with a Bible verse on the sign out front.

[Matice]

Seeing these rich pastors is 1 thing but to see all these Christians supporting genocide because the Bible says “I will bless those who bless you…etc etc” but also tells me to love my neighbor and to not kill is beyond me.

[lynntoytrainmuseum]

I left because of presentations like this. 🤣

[KarenEverett-yp]

#1 Science, evolution and the death of superstitions.

[paschal]

Great seminar or talk with many important facts but why can’t we see the slides???

[benjaminlyng]

I think the #1 reason (I moved) for getting de-churched is almost exclusively a Protestant thing. Almost any RC who moves would just look up the closest parish or Latin Mass parish and start going there and not think twice about it.

[richardbeee]

Pick your flavor. Some left because we wanted to find truth. Tired of the traditions of men.

[lizmadura]

Leaving the institution, you will find these numbers.
People who have been called out of the institution and into a real relationship with God seeking authenticity in fellowship and Bible study are growing.
I really hope to be part of that sooner rather than later.

[philandrews]

Here are my 4 main suggestions for improving the appeal of church services in any denomination:
1) Focus on positive messages in church meetings and focusing primarily on Jesus Christ and His teachings and the importance of having and maintaining faith in God.
2) Avoid (like the plague) criticizing and finding fault with other religions, Christian or not. Focus on all of the positives of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Criticizing other religions will only turn folks off from your religious services and beliefs.
3) Avoid political discussions. Keep politics out of the church services.
4) Avoid overly focusing on entertainment rather than teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

[quistian]

Well done presenting the data... Thanks. I am from Canada and the data probably is large part similar.

[RitaGatton]

He stated that Catholics were "probably not Christians". We ARE Christians! We are members of the only church started by Our Lord, who established the Catholic Church in Matthew 16:18-19 when He established His church on the rock of Saint Pete. He said, “You are Peter (rock) and upon this rock, I will build My church. I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” The most intimate, amazing experience that anyone can ever have is receiving Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist in the Catholic Church.

[gordonsavage]

When you see how much pastors are being paid is why I believe people are leaving. When the pastors are among the highest paid, how can they relate to missionaries who work more and are paid the same as teachers, we also never see a raise.

[chucknaill]

When I see these presenters cleaning church bathrooms, mowing widows' lawns, and volunteering to repair cars, I will listen.

[majose]

I'm intrigued. Why would "black Protestant" NOT be considered an evangelical church? 🤔