What draws people to a local church?

[Earth Wind and Fire]

This question is the result of a question I asked someone in another forum. Its simple "what draws people to a local church?" but then the counter question is "why do so many stay away?"

your thoughts on both are appreciated.

 

[Rebel]

This question is the result of a question I asked someone in another forum. Its simple "what draws people to a local church?" but then the counter question is "why do so many stay away?"

your thoughts on both are appreciated.

I think people are drawn for two reasons, doctrine and fellowship. Sometimes they may go for one or the other but not both.

I think people stay away because maybe they don't see any relevance to their daily lives. Or maybe they think members are hypocritical. Maybe they don't feel welcome when they have attended. There are a lot of reasons probably.

 

[Revmitchell]

People do not come to church for a long list of reasons. When you look and see who is coming regularly you will find it is the elder generation. I do not think people have a sense of sense of duty and responsibility like people once had. That attitude came in with the generation following the war. Several generations later it is gone. People coming out of the war had a general sense of duty and responsibility. That came from the need to get things done during the war.

Today the younger generation just does not have that. They have not had anything to really push them in that direction. That type of commitment is just no longer there.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

People do not come to church for a long list of reasons. When you look and see who is coming regularly you will find it is the elder generation. I do not think people have a sense of sense of duty and responsibility like people once had. That attitude came in with the generation following the war. Several generations later it is gone. People coming out of the war had a general sense of duty and responsibility. That came from the need to get things done during the war.

Today the younger generation just does not have that. They have not had anything to really push them in that direction. That type of commitment is just no longer there.

Do you see them coming to you once they marry & start having children?

 

[Revmitchell]

Do you see them coming to you once they marry & start having children?

No, there seems to be way to many things for kids to do sports, etc.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

No, there seems to be way to many things for kids to do sports, etc.

That means the parents are purposely not immersing their kids into church & any spirituality that go along with it.....wow, just wow!

 

[Revmitchell]

That means the parents are purposely not immersing their kids into church & any spirituality that go along with it.....wow, just wow!

That's right they are not.

 

[Thousand Hills]

That means the parents are purposely not immersing their kids into church & any spirituality that go along with it.....wow, just wow!

Possibly the younger generation has seen the hypocrisy of the elder generation? For example, we are fighting the battle on _ _ _ marriage now, because the battle wasn't fought on traditional marriage by the church 30 to 40 years ago (paraphrased quote I saw somewhere, maybe here)

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

That's right they are not.

America's moral foundation has been crumbling for some time. It's present condition is truly frightening. Even more disturbing is the fact that we seem to be totally helpless in preventing our demise as a nation.....that was once the envy of the world.

In the days of Jonah, when the prophet delivered the destruction message very simply and dead pan.....he simply & plainly announced that the city would be destroyed in 40 days. Period! Now there is a sobering piece of news. But the Ninevites king took charge and ordered them to give up their evil ways & violence..... they had to repent, fast, pray & dress in sackcloth.

Will we be put in the position to do the same & do we have political leaders with the depth of character & wisdom of the Ninevite king---I really doubt it.

This news from the Rev that children are no longer a reason to be a member of a faith community is really distressing. That means that they wont have Christ as a reference point in morality. Scary stuff.....so what do we do to correct it? ....or is it already tooo late?

 

[Revmitchell]

This news from the Rev that children are no longer a reason to be a member of a faith community is really distressing. That means that they wont have Christ as a reference point in morality. Scary stuff.....so what do we do to correct it? ....or is it already tooo late?

I would not say that. They are just not engaging in the same way they used too. I still believe the end result will be just as damaging but it is important to note they believe what they are doing is just as faithful what we do. They do not see it as anything less.

 

[Deacon]

What draws people?



Something that fulfills a need,

• Some want to be right with God
• Tradition,
• for others, it's fellowship and community with likeminded believers,
• the desire to give their kids religious training,
• Sometimes it's the programs, sports, religious training, accountability (Al-anon, AA, etc.)
• Sometime people are lonely and just want to be around friendly people
• Tons of reasons…

Why do so many stay away?



Other things distract them or other places fulfill the need.

• internet, cable TV
• Sports,
• drugs,
• music,
• exercise,
• work,
• the general business of life, to busy,
• low priority,
• guilt
• feelings of judgment and not belonging

Rob