Decline in church attendance has been the focus of dire predictions for decades now, often attributed to a rise in secularism in American culture that corresponds to a decay in the nation’s moral fabric. A new study by Barna raises another interesting possibility, however: “Americans who love Jesus but not the Church.” Foregoing church attendance for more personal and individual expressions of faith, this group poses several interesting questions to researchers.
Is this shift a long-term trend or simply a generational change likely to revert? Does lack of attendance correlate with a lack of knowledge of or belief in the Bible? Does this indicate a fundamental shift in Christianity and what could be the cause? The drop in church attendance is not seen uniformly across all age groups nor in all parts of the country. Barna found that the group of Christians that has “de-churched”, that is to say previously been regular church-goers who continue to profess Christian beliefs but who have not attended church in the last six months, is composed of 60% women, 80% of whom are between the ages of 33 and 70. READ MORE
The majority of modern churches are not accurately Biblical in nature. For the most part, many of them have far too many disputes with what the Word of God say.
For example, I heard a pastor say that Jesus didn’t really turn water into wine. This pastor was in disbelief because he was strictly against the use of alcohol, and so he didn’t want to think Jesus was in favor of it. However, this pastor had a severe weight issue, and seemed okay with gluttony being something Jesus might be proud of. The pastor would proudly talk about his deep-fried turkey, and many other dishes resulting in unhealthy amounts of food.
Churches do not usually practice what they preach. They often add certain”laws” to the Bible that just aren’t there. And they neglect certain laws that are there. In many cases, but not all, modern churches are a hang out place. And I am not interested in hanging out with people that are okay with their own version of the Bible.
I have been saying for months that many churches are complacent,and lethargic clinging to the rapture teachings that have been taught for years,and further given credence by the Left Behind series.However if one leaves I Thessalonians 4:16, and Revelation 4:1,which are the two most quoted passages for a pre-tribulation raptureOne is surprised about all the prophetic scriptures. Many are just listening to their preacher who is passing on what he (and sadly) she has learned from others.Paul told Timothy :”Study to show thyself approved…” not follow a pulpit as many have gone away from self Bible knowledge to church and pulpit,as the source of all so called scriptural understandings.I have attended at least three churches where the “pastor” was hosen by friends and relations in the church,not on his real credentials as a learned Bible student.
This happens because people put their faith in other people instead of God, become disappointed and go by their emotions rather than God’s will for them and if the Holy Spirit is not present in a church, the ministry will be of no affect.