If you’ve missed church recently, research shows you used one of ten excuses to stay home.
According to a Barna Survey, there has been a 7 percent drop in church attendance since 2004. Taking America as a whole, only 20 percent of the population attends church services.
Why aren’t we worshipping?
Malinda Fuller at crosswalk.com came up with 10 excuses that Christians give for missing church. Here they are….
- The music isn’t their style….meaning its too loud or too old.
- They aren’t the target demographic….so they feel out of place with people older or younger than they are or not from the same socioeconomic or ethic group
- The service times aren’t convenient…..somewhat surprising given the many options that are available today from most churches.
- The don’t feel connected…usually because they haven’t sought out a small group.
- They don’t like the teaching…Fuller says, other than the music style, this is what most people complain about. But church isn’t a democracy, the pastor speaks on the topics he feels he received from God.
- Their kids don’t like going….they probably don’t like brushing their teeth either.
- They’re too busy….multiple service times should take care of this problem.
- They already do a lot of church stuff…that may be true, but there is something unique about worshiping as a group.
- They aren’t a fan of “organized religion”….the real reason here might be that it just easier watching the streamed service at home.
- And finally, they don’t feel weekly attendance is necessary. See Hebrews 10:25 for an answer to this reason for missing church.