WHY IS DECLINE IN CHURCH ATTENDANCE
Text: II Timothy 4:1-4; I Tim. 4:1-2.
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
I Timothy 4:1-2
For the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.
There are basic things we must understand about the situation that make some of our members to start going to another church.
THE MAIN REASONS FOR DECLINE IN CHURCH ATTENDANCE
It is common to see people leaving the church or fellowship. There are number of reasons why people quit fellowship or a particular church. Both old and new comers, why?
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE TOP 7 CAUSES OF DECLINE IN CHURCH ATTENDANCE
1. Because of their distance.
2. Change of location or accommodation.
3. When they see another parish or fellowship that they are doing better than their place.
4. Friends influence others to change their church.
5. Because of Bible preaching or teaching.
6. Going after Prophets and prophecy.
7. Because of leadership (people of someone)
Whatever the church is today is as a result of it's leaders. Men quit churches and fellowship because of the character of either the leader or someone they respect when caught in some negative things.
My personal experience.
I worked with a District Superintendents in this mission, throughout his working in this assembly, he raised curses through his sermon and prayer on the elders, Deaconesses and any members who failed to support his selfish interests. And as a result of this almost half of the members left for another church. When he was transferred they said they can't return to that place again!
When you see someone who have problem with almost everyone; he is the real problem.
The estimation shows that 65% decline in church attendance is as a result of leadership; either because of the pastor or his associates {e.g. elders, deacons, church workers}. We all start well but how will you end up.
If they leave your church does not mean they leave church. They quit for another church. That means they are still in church.
Don't let us run the church as if, if they leave your church they are going to hell fire. There are many churches that can manage those you can't manage. And later you will now be pointing at them that, that is my good member. It is easy to frustrate them to leave than to bring them back.
You don't need to gather the multitude that you can’t manage. If they are not more than 10 treat them the way Christ want you to treat them. And do not copy any one.
If you hide many things from members the only thing that can never be hidden is your character, it will soon expose you it’s just a matter of time!
TOP 5 REASONS PEOPLE LOSE TRUST IN CHURCH LEADERS
1. Inconsistency in words and deeds.
2. Seeking personal gain above cooperate one
3. Hiding or withholding information.
4. Lying or telling half truth.
5. Being closed minded.
Leadership is all about TRUST
HOW CAN CHURCH LEADERS BUILD TRUST
1. Maintain integrity
2. Openly communicate your vision and values.
3. Show respect to people both low and high.
4. Focus on shared goals than personal agendas.
5. Do the right thing regardless of personal risk.
REFUSING GOOD AND GODLY COUNSEL: Is another main causes of decline in church attendance.
Rehoboam the Son of Solomon lost the kingdom because he refused good and godly counsel I Kings 12:1-4. Don't be a leader who refuses counsel because you believe that:
1. You know it all.
2. The people are lower than you.
3. You are more spiritual than them.
4. You are the only one who hear from God
5. They are too carnal to advice you. e.t.c
If Moses had refuse the advice of his father-in-law (Ex. 18:13-26), probably he would have died earlier.
5 CAUSES OF INCREASE IN CHURCH ATTENDANCE
1. God himself calls men to your fellowship
2. Love, peace and unity bring men to your church.
3. Bible preaching and teaching.
4. Personality {the leader, man of God or pastor}
5. Denominational name.
Men are mobile creature. Averagely men change churches between three to five times in their life time. Therefore men could easily move when not satisfy with leadership activities in our fellowship.
HOW TO IMPROVE CHURCH ATTENDANCE BY LEADER
1. Put credibility at the top of your leadership.
2. Take responsibility for your relationship with others.
3. Put high value on those who work with you.
4. Maintain a teachable spirit.
5. Praise and appreciate those under you.
6. Don't speak evil of any of them to others in their absent. And
7. Allow them to make mistake and gently correct them in love.
CONCLUSION
The main reasons why is decline in your church attendance is as a result of the kind of leadership style been used in your church. Any others leadership styles apart of transformational and charismatic styles of leadership will definitely decline your church attendance, as a transformational leader you must be a leader-follower leading by example, don’t preach honesty and be a lier but preach righteousness and live righteousness. It is only this leadership styles that will make your members to feel trust, admiration, loyalty, and respect toward leaders and are motivated to perform extra-role behaviors, consequently improve your church attendee.
If you find value in my work and would like to support my ministry, you have the option to donate USDT, ETH, BSC, MATIC, NEAR, and other cryptocurrencies to the following address.
0x39304fA38A348016450551Bcd73b11828edAD8f5
Thanks 🙏
.jpeg)
