Why Are People Leaving The Church?
A few days ago I was on Facebook and someone shared a post that posed the question, “why are people leaving the church?” Immediately I thought of a few reasons why, (in the words of Apostle Connor), people are picking up their grace and leaving. Churches today have become our local Apollo theaters, where so called “Christians” are only there for entertainment. Who needs cable when you can get your weekly dose of drama at the church. People are leaving because churches are not functioning in a way the LORD intended for them to function.
It is important for me to define what the word “church” means in the bible. According to Colossians 1:24, the body of Christ is the Church. Four walls does not make up a church, however, we the people do. It is also important to state that going to church is not necessary for salvation. In fact, scripture says, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I will be also” (Matthew 18:20). So the saints that live in communist countries that are underground, and worshiping the LORD with other believers, the LORD is surely with them.
Now that we have defined the church, let’s get back to the issues of the church. “Churches” today do not have the presence of the LORD dwelling among them. Jesus himself said, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:12-14). Prayer is communication between mankind and God, the LORD wants to dwell among his people. Unfortunately, most churches refuse to allow the Spirit to move, because they are on a time schedule. Also, there is no spiritual authority within the church, meaning people are leaving the same way they came in. There are souls that are bound by several sins and demonic spirits and get no relief, yet, they go to church every Sunday. Let’s take a look at some scripture.
21. They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. (Mark 1:21-26).
When I first read this scripture, I thought to myself, how many times did this man go to the synagogue while being possessed by demons? How many times was he sitting among the “righteous Jewish leaders” and suffering in silence? It took Jesus, who had spiritual authority, to cast those demons out. Churches today lack spiritual authority, that is why so many people who go to church suffer from broken marriages, drug addictions, pornography addictions, sexual immorality, poverty, and etc.
Another issue with the church are the pastors, who are not doing what the LORD has called them to do. These pastors are like the pastors back in Jeremiah’s day (read Jeremiah 23:1-2).
1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.
2 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.
Most pastors want to be treated like kings, have the red carpet laid out in front of them, yet, they can’t give their own flock the time of day. The LORD said that the shepherds are supposed to feed the sheep (read Ezekiel 34:1-31) yet their flock is spiritually starving. These so-called pastors don’t teach what the LORD tells them to teach, and what they do teach is incorrect.
People are leaving the church because they realize Father is not in it. 2020 was a very rough year for all of us. However, for most of us, we had no choice but to spend time with our heavenly Father. The LORD wants a personal intimate relationship with you. Going to church on Sundays is not going to cut it. For most of you, you are attending a church where most, if not all, including the pastor, are going to hell. I urge you to read the Word for yourself, spend time with God, talk to him daily, and you will never be the same.
God bless.