A recent study by LifeWay Research showed that 15% of church members have considered leaving their church in the past six months.

  • About 1 in 7 church members have considered leaving their church in the past six months.
  • In the future, people will not be driving as far as they do today to attend church. They will want to live and worship in the same neighborhood.
  • In effective evangelistic churches, you’re most likely to find expository preaching.
  • Most of the time when a pastor leaves a church, the church culture changes.
  • Parents today are more likely than in the past to change churches to benefit their kids.

Most churchgoers will put up with a change in music style or a different preacher. But don’t mess with a church’s beliefs or there may be an exodus, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. The study of Protestant churchgoers found most are committed to staying at their church over the long haul. But more than half say they would strongly consider leaving if the church’s beliefs changed.

Pastors often worry about changing church music and setting off a “worship war,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. But few say they would leave over music. Churchgoers are much more concerned about their church’s beliefs. “Mess with the music and people may grumble,” he said. “Mess with theology and they’re out the door.”

Churchgoers did have some suggestions on ways churches can help them grow. Among them:

  • 27 percent want their church to help them understand more about God and the Bible.
  • 20 percent want their church to help them find new ways to serve.
  • 19 percent want their church to provide more Bible study groups.
  • 16 percent want their church to help them get to know more people in church.
  • 14 percent say their church could provide forums to answer their spiritual questions.
  • 13 percent want their church to give them more chances to serve.
  • 13 percent want their church to provide worship experiences that fit their needs.
  • 9 percent want their church to provide more interaction with the pastor.
  • 8 percent want their church to provide them with a mentor.

 

Source: Lifeway Resources