Why Christians Stop Going to Church

So many people leave their church, because of disillusionment with religion, the politics or leadership failure. They love God, but are sick of "church" as usual. In spite of it's faults, the church (body of Christ) has been ordained by God and together we are to be the representation of God in the earth.

Many people, from all denominations, are falling away from the Church and sometimes God. Spiritual isolation and the un-churched is not the exception, but sadly regular occurrence. It is not that these brothers and sisters do not love God, but because of some emotional, spiritual or an inability to fit in with established religion, they refuse to go back to church. You might have not known their names or even noticed when they stopped coming, but they are out there.

There are many wounded men and women who go to church looking for love and healing, only to feel that they are invisible. These believers want to go to church again, but seem to be unable to find their way.

If you are one of these spiritually isolated Christians, know that God is not finished with you and has a place for you in the body of Christ!

Perhaps I am prejudice, but when I came to the Lord, I attended a little home fellowship. It was small and intimate and I was able to ask questions and receive prayer and counseling when I needed it.

I was taught how to believe God for myself and to pray and receive the answers I need. I was always encourage to go out an win souls and to allow the Lord to use me.

It was a place where people were mentored and found Godly accountability. That small fellowship has since become a thriving church in the inner city. That little home church has also birthed many, Pastors, Evangelists, Prophets, Teachers and Apostles.

Ephesians 4:11-12: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Many a large ministry had humble beginnings in a home, school or storefront. These pioneers did not mind rolling up their sleeves and working tirelessly with the people in the rural and inner city neighborhoods.

Some are drawn to big ministries with big name Pastors. Some want to be able to say, my Pastor is Bishop so and so.

I feel, it is more important to seek Go,. for the place he would have you to be, because the Spirit of God know you through and through and know what you need.

There are churches that have lost the Glory of God, yet they are filled with people. I sometimes wonder if the mega church has forever changed the concept of what is successful ministry.

Though there are successful mega churches, a successful ministry has nothing to do with number, but rather is the will of God being carried out as he has mandated to the servant of God.

There are many wonderful church leaders, with smaller ministries,  who walk humbly before the Lord and serve the people with the heart of a true shepherd. Those are the ones you so seldom hear about, because they may be small or hidden away, but they are Pastored by men and women after God's heart.

Michah 6:8: He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Lavish Lifestyle of Leaders

Pastors living in homes worth millions of dollars, while members struggle to maintain a simple household.

The people are caused to question their own walk with God, when a Pastor drives a $100,000 car and then turns to the congregation and tells them with arrogance, "see how God will bless you, when you live for God?" Is God only the God of the Pastor? Is he not also the God of His people?

Greed

I have seen offerings being taken, like a common auction. "Everyone with one hundred dollars, come! If you love the Lord, come running down the isle now. While the anointing if flowing, run, don't hesitate! This is your breakthrough, come with your offering." Can I not get a miracle without an offering?

I have seen the offering go from, " if you have $100," down to $1.00 finally to, "whatever your have bring it now. " I have seen those with the largest offerings receive a Word from the Lord, while those who gave the widows mite receive and pat on the head for a blessing.

Spiritual Abuse

I personally known ministries where the members were being terrorized from the pulpit. Threats of death and being cursed, was uncommon, to try to keep the people in control. This same know ministry required to give thirty percent tithes, and stay in mandatory three day shut ins with no food of water even for the children.

Immorality

I won't go into the recent church scandals, recall you own if you desire. When sexual sin is a problem with the leaders in a ministry.

A Pastor's sin should be swept under the rug, nor should the scripture, touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm, be used to keep people quiet about the immorality. Sin is to be condemned no matter who commits it and if there is repentance, the fallen is to be sat down for a period of time to be restored in a spirit of meekness and love.

These are the things that drive God's people from the church and cause them to wonder as sheep without a shepherd.

God is aware that the church is imperfect as He reveals in the letter to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3.

You can not control what others do, and ultimately you are responsible for only one thing, that is the relationship between God and you. If you are in a spiritual situation where you are unhappy, continue to pray and read the Word of God.

You can maintain spiritual strength even in adverse situations. Apostle Paul was imprisoned for the balance of his life, yet he wrote most of the New Testament.

God never promised you would have a perfect world, but admonished us that in this world we would have tribulation. He ended that scripture with: be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. John 16:33. No matter what the situation, God will give you the strength and grace to go through it and come out on the other side victorious!

You will never find a perfect church, because the church is made of of people and people are fallible. You will however be able to find a perfect church for you.

Men and women are human and subject to human faults and failures. This is why the scripture reminds us not to put out faith in man.

It can be discouraging to be a part of a ministry that you think in wonderful, only to find that there a problems in the ministry. Follow a ministry as long as they are following the Word of God. If a ministry fails to line up with the Word of God, stop following that ministry.

1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

It is also important to examine yourself and to determine if you are being overly sensitive or perhaps the Lord has touched on some areas of you life that need change and you are resistant to His correction.

Resist the belief that no church is right and everyone is a hypocrite. The enemy will use these discouragements in church, to turn away you from church, with the goal of having you turn away from the Lord.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

I have often heard the saying that God will not have you leave a church unless He shows you where to go! Sounds good, but not necessarily true. It depends why you are leaving.

If you are being spiritually, physically or emotionally abused, you should leave that ministry for you own well being. Don't walk, but run as fast as you can!

If you are one of those who have not been discourage with the church experience, or you have been, neglected, hurt or have been abused in church, know that God loves you.

You are a part of the body of Christ and the Lord will minister healing and restoration to you. Ask God to help you forgive those who you feel have mistreated you. You may have to go to those you have offened and ask forgiveness as well.

Find a safe place to come together with other believers for the sake of fellowship and hearing God's word.

Know that God is still doing a work in your life and out of your experience, God will get the glory and may even birth ministry. Continue to read the bible and seek the Lord through prayer.

When looking for fellowship, look for a ministry where God's Word is preached, there is liberty and God's spirit flows. Cell groups, or home group, are a great place to obtain healing and restoration as the group is small and others will take time to minister and counsel you. Just allow the Holy Spirit to minister to every need you have.

The Church is a place to develop men and woman and send them out as instruments of God's glory.

God has put in the body, the tools to teach and prepare each believer for the work that God has given them to do. The people of God do not belong to the pastors, they belong to God.

When Looking for a Ministry ask yourself this:

• Is the teaching sound and biblical?
  
• Is the presence of God there?
  
• Is the Pastor himself under authority?
  
• Is the love of God there?
  
• Is the ministry active in outreach?
• Is there healing and deliverance taking place?
  
• Does the teaching promote spiritual growth?
  
• Are people being trained to fulfill their God given ministries?
  
• Do you feel welcomed?
• Is there liberty rather than legalism?
  

You may not be able to find all these in one ministry, but look for as many as possible leading with sound biblical doctrine, love and the Spirit of God being present.