A shorter post than usual today, but it poses some pertinent questions about those who are de-churched… Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
If you’re up with the discussions on the future of the church you’ll know that commentators distinguish between people who are un-churched (as in never had any significant contact with a church) and those who are de-churched (as in once were involved, but no more thank you very much).
While the church has always worried about those who are unchurched (they’re the reason for the missionary movement), the de-churched have had a mixed press.
Theologically it’s a bit of a worry. Is it once saved always saved, or is our salvation a little less certain? And if it’s once saved, does it mean that the de-churched were never really converted? Such questions ignite theology classes. However most observers are convinced that the church has entered a post-theological era. I know that sounds astonishing, but it means simply that our questions now tend to be pragmatic; they are more about us than God.
Sometimes we simply feel insulted by the de churched, and so we judge them. How dare they come to our churches, get involved and then declare themselves disinterested or unimpressed. Clearly if they were more committed, more godly or simply more pleasant, they would have stayed. And so we dismiss them (why should anyone hear the gospel twice until everyone has heard it once).
Trouble is the Bible doesn’t see them in that light. After all, in today’s terms both the lost sheep and the prodigal son were, for a season, de churched people.
If we are wiser, we’ll listen to them… and there are many voices to listen to. Those who left because they thought church unfriendly, or a clique, or not very spiritual, or that there had to be a more exciting way to spend a Sunday, or that it was out of touch, or that it was triumphalistic (no place for strugglers); and then there are those who are burnt out after trying too hard for too long (too long a sacrifice turns a heart to stone…); as well as those… so many different voices…
Voices that don’t say what we want to hear are hard to listen to, but sometimes they have much to say. How about this as a prayer? “Lord give us a heart for the un-churched, and the de-churched, and help us to be responsive to the uncomfortable things they teach us…”
Thanks for this Brian
I think the problem lies squarely with the churches – or, to be more precise, with many of the people within the churches. It seems to me that many church goers have lost sight of the good things of God and are focussed on worldly things – buildings, numbers, pa systems… Churches are often not communities of Godly people – which is what we are supposed to be. We are supposed to be communities of people bound together by love – love for God and love for each other. We are not supposed to be worldly corporations doing worldly things to achieve, essentially, worldly ends.
It is by our love for each other that the world will know that we are his disciples.
I think we should DEFINITELY listen to the de-churched. Christ seeks those who become lost or wander off…there is something wrong with our ‘Çhrist-likeness’if we don’t concern ourselves with hurt, disappointed, rejected, confused and wearied people who leave church. Maybe, just maybe, HOW we do church to entertain and keep people busy, rather than examining the scriptures, applying them to our context and maturing in Christ has something to to do with this? Christ did not come to entertain people at church or feed them a health, wealth and prosperity ‘non-gospel’…
Absolutely right, Sandra. Jesus told us to love each other. Paul said that we come together to encourage each other and build each other up. These are the things that spiritually minded churchgoers need to focus on.
I would suggest that the definition of “De- churched” might also include those who have found themselves without a congregation due to the closure of the one to which they belonged (probably combined with the closure of the church building). This, most likely, is caused by inability to maintain the structure , physical and financial, of the church as an institution and has little to do with disenchantment. It also emphasises the dilemma that exists for aging congregations, whose style of worship is no longer attractive to young people of today and whose numbers have significantly dwindled.
I would also suggest that the word “church” needs definition. Is one de-churched from the institution or the community – or maybe both?
Herein lies a significant pastoral situation which, I believe, is being overlooked or, at best, inadequately addressed.
My wife and I have attended 12 churches both megachurches and microchurches over our 40 year walk with the Lord. We have attended 2 of them for 30 of those years. We have seen everything from cliques to criminal activity on behalf of both leadership and the congregants. I can certainly understand why we have dechurched, unchurched, and nonchurched whether saved or unsaved as the majority of people living in the U.S..
In only two of those churches have we found a true Christian spirit shared by the congregation and the staff. These two churches give hope that churches can still do things “right” even while times and people change, they have adapted without compromising and are thriving.
This walk has been difficult beyond belief at times with rest coming only occasionally. Was it always right or righteous? No! Has it been worth it? Yes, by all means! No matter the circumstances, the Lord has shown Himself to be sufficient,reliable, loving, and all powerful at all times.
Thanks Edward. I appreciated reading about your varied experiences.
CommentI’ve been officially de-churched for six years and wouldn’t have it any other way. Never stopped believing in Christ as God, I just got tired of pretending to be someone I wasn’t. All the pomp and pageantry, both deninominational or not, high or low, just hides a hollowness. Believers are meant to be taught and grow in their faith to the point that they’re spiritually grown up enough not to waiver, and then get on with the practical matters of manifesting God’s will on earth. I don’t understand why church leaders are surprised that Christians are de-churching. It’s a good thing, because it brings the Kingdom into the surrounding culture. I think it’s because the church in general is afraid of losing its status as an institution, and that’s why they’re concerned about “church growth.” Pastoral leaders need to pray and ask God for discernment as to which group they should focus on “bringing back into the fold.” Christians can gather anywhere and worship, study the Bible and be an organic faith community rather than have a name, mission statement and hierarchal leadership structures. I personally believe that this exodus of strong believers is a sign of the Western church’s coming persecution. Focus on building your young (not just age-wise) and vulnerable members in the Lord. Teach them to hear the Holy Spirit and how to study the Bible contextually. Demonstrate how to have a relationship with God, rather than your church, and stop thinking it’s an indictment on you when they leave. Kids grow up and are supposed to go. Not all who wander are lost. I’m certainly not.
Thanks Elspeth. I really appreciate you sharing a little of your story and some of your thoughts.
“Fresh Expressions” are new forms of church that emerge within contemporary culture and engage primarily with those who don’t ‘go to church.
I am an 80-yr old retired engineer, who has the opportunity to minister the Word of God to a small group of Christian students at a public university. (I am praying James 1:5 over this situation to seek the will of God.) I had been teaching the Bible for 7 years at a 200-inmate county jail. But it went into lockdown for almost 2 years due to Covid. fears.
Wonderful that God continues to use us at all stages of life.
That is right Matthews! “Fresh Expressions” make evangelism and discipleship great tools for missional ecclesiology. I think where the problem lies in regard to “Churched” Vs “de-churched” and or “un-churched” is the evangelism and disciple model – The “bounded set” model vs. “Centered set” model. Each has its place, though!
Comment *That is right Matthews! “Fresh Expressions” make evangelism and discipleship great tools for missional ecclesiology. I think where the problem lies in regard to “Churched” Vs “de-churched” and or “un-churched” is the evangelism and discipleship model – The “bounded set” model vs. “Centered set” model. Each has its place, though!
Comment *Matthew 24:11-14 Jesus already told us what was going to happen, to his disciples on mount of Olives in the Signs of the End. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because (INIQUITY SHALL ABOUND (PLENTIFUL), the LOVE OF MANY SHALL WAX COLD). But He/She that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be SAVED. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the END COME.
CommenHi, I cannot find a church in our area teaching truth.
And I have contacted the pastors, called big ministries and
Pastors all over the country and can.not even get a good
recommendation. Just looking for a church teaching
the literal innerant Word of God…..Not adding or
Subtracting , teaching NO Mysticism, newage or
Catholicism. We live in Wheaton, Illinois!!!!!!t *
Help!
Lovely to hear from you Sue but I’m afraid as I’m based in Perth, Australia, I can’t comment about Wheaton but perhaps some of the blogs US readers might have some recommendations.
Hope you find a place – or otherwise are able to be at peace about where you serve, even if it’s not really what you hoped for.