What turns most people off from going to church?

Question

Many people have reasons for not going to church. What are they? What may need to change about the church so that people feel compelled to come?

Answer 1

Actually, there are a numerous amount of things. The outside appearance of the church, for one. Did you know that most people already know whether or not they're ever going to return way before the minister preaches. Are the people friendly, and loving? Do they make you feel welcome? Is the church designed to meet their needs? (programs for children, nursery care, etc.) What type of music do they have at the church? Contemporary or traditional (hymns). Are they preaching their opinions or the Word of God? But if I had to pick one main reason why people get turned off it would have to be people who don't practice what they preach. They profess to be Christians, but their lifestyles show otherwise. Can you tell I used to be a Pastor?

Answer 2

Many churches have thrown intellectualism out the door. It is difficult to find a church where the pastor will do the necessary language, historical, and theological work before writing a sermon. Many of the messages are bland, boring, and require little thought at all. Perhaps this is just the climate that the church is currently in though.

Second, and perhaps most importantly, many churches are just greedy. Very little of the budget is spent on persons outside the walls of the church (usually, less than 5% of the budget). It also seems that many churches are engaged in expensive building programs. This seems to run counter to Jesus' command to give all you have to the poor, to serve others, and to shun material things. The church is very materialistic and has become much like any other corporate entity.

Those are two principle reasons why I don't go, but if these things changed, I would be more compelled to go back to church.

Answer 3

Simply bordem. Before I was a christian I had this idea in my mind that church was about organ music and some guy speaking in Elizabethan english. But the fact is most churches today are nothing like that. Take any Evangelical, pentecostal or assemble of God and you will find a place filled with joy. The preacher teaches a message you can relate to and the music is modern and contemporary..with drum guitars keyboards horns and the whole works. A simple teaching in all churches would change the minds of those seeking that church is a great place to be. And that teaching is that religion is mans way of reaching God, but Christianity is Jesus used by God to reach man. You can't pray a certain way, you can't listen to a certain kind of music, you can't even dress a certain way. All you can do is be yourself and allow God to make you into what he would like you to be. So have fun rejoice in salvation and share the good news!

Answer 4

Well unfortunately, some of the churches I have attended have passed judgement on certain types of people, and this is something I will not stand for, as God is our only judger. But the main reason I quit going is because I get so panicky and anxious. I feel God's presence and for some reason I start to freak out. I have panic disorder, but it just gets so strong at church, which is a shame, because I believe, as Christians, we all need to be "fed" in some way. TBN on tv doesn't make me panic.

Answer 5

I stopped going to church because of hypocritical christians. Its been a long time since I've seen any evidence of GOD in churchgoers. My sanctuary is the world in which I live. I see GOD in everything around me, but then again, I chose to look for him instead of expecting him to find me when he's damn good and ready to answer my prayers!!!

I am not a christian, I am not atheist, I am not agnostic. Something bigger than me created this world we live on, and I don't put much stock in the big bang theory, so I do believe there is something bigger out there. But claiming a religious faith does me and others more harm than it does any good. Religious faith perpetuates hate and injustice toward our fellow man. I hear enough "perpetuating" in my daily life that I don't need to hear about it from a "devout" religious person.

I honor whatever/whoever created me by not destroying the earth around me. I honor by loving those around me until they prove they no longer deserve my love or respect. I will lay down my life for my family and most of my friends. I lead an honest life, and set an honest example for my children and those who observe my actions....and all of these things I do, and haven't stepped in a church except for weddings and funerals in 10yrs!!

Answer 6

What ever their reason I would rather spend a little time with some hypocrites in church than a eternity in hell with them.Who knows God might even use me to make the difference in someones life there.I hope so.To many people are going to church to get something.I thought we were to go to worship God and give something.

Answer 7

First, it's only on Sunday, Second most churches have music from the 1500's and Third, people hate to dress up.

Answer 8

How about the fact that Jesus nor the 12 apostles never attended! The simple fact that Judaism was sufficient enough for the Son of G-d is enough proof for me that a Synagogue is what I need. Not church.

Answer 9

First and foremost is hypocrisy ...
Second, Look at me ... I am better than you ...
Third, Jump through these hoops ...
Forth, I've got this problem ... Sorry! We can't help you ...
Fifth, The Lord says you must tithe ...
Sixth, How dare you question my authority ...
Seventh, The Sabbath starts Friday evening and ends Saturday evening ... The Sabbath is not Sunday!

Would you go to a Church like this ...

Answer 10

1. Cross on wall, bible is clear to bring no item from elsewhere to worship it nor have an item nor image to worship before him. Cross is pagan and 100% against His word.
2. Same with ChristMast
3. Same with Easter, easter egg
4. Never heard of Yahushua sticking His hand out for money, yet see a church do it all the time.
5. Never heard of Yahushua driving a chariot around, yet see ministers/preachers/pastors do just that.
6. Never heard of Yahushua owning a home/hut, yet see ministers/preachers/pastors do just that.
7. Never heard of Yahushua covering himself in riches, yet see many do in religion/church/position.
8. See the church put down others, speak of hate towards others, make some feel uncomfortable.....100% against G_D's word.
9. Racism, not just of color, but of status in society as well, again, 100% against G_D's word.
10. Fact the church is who put the word "church" into the bible 122 times in place of the word "assembly". Many think they are the same word, but they are not. Church put itself there to include the word "building" in turn to collect wealth. Church only comes up 2 times, in Matthew, in original text.
11. Church removed G_D's real name, YHWH in 1929 due to an argument with the JWitnesses. Sorry, but Revelation 22:18-19 is very clear and direct.
13. Never heard of Yahushua screaming at people to speak His word.
14. Get some modern songs. Something like Crystal Lewis - People Get ready.
15. When a preacher/minister/pastor is caught doing evil, remove them, period. Not kick them out, demote them to basic patron of the church, for that rank has meaning and anyone, no matter the length of time or even status should be removed if they cannot walk like the Son of Man, for they are the role model of the followers.
16. Get rid of the red carpet...do you realize the evil that represents?
17. Stop the miss translation using Jesus/Jehovah. No J in Hebrew. Since no J, Jehovah becomes hovah, look in Strong's.
18. Restore HIS name, YHWH, YAHWEH. For it is a sin to bring HIS name to nothingness and that is exactly what is happening in this world and why so many are failing to hear Him. Do you respond if someone doesn't call you by name?
19. Stop the preaching, make it more of a class, a study, chalk boards up front, people can give input, ask questions, not 2 hrs of song, listening, and drifting off in thought. Get the crowd involved....we came to learn, not sit and be stumps.
20. Follow the book, not what man thinks, not what man wants, not what man thinks it says, but what the book says, period. stand on that as if your feet are in concrete and cannot be removed. I stand that way with YHWH, why cannot the church?


Do these things and I believe many, including myself will gladly walk in the door. Do these things and I will attend many times weekly, for I have so much desire to learn His TRUE word and the only place I find that today, is in my own, unbiased studies from the web and accessing the entire world in all languages.