PORTLAND, Ore. - The inability of the church to discuss a topic that has become taboo among many Christians is one of the root causes why millions of Americans are leaving the church and never to return, says one author.
There are "Christians who have experientially lost their faith" but have no one to turn to since church culture shuns the topic, David Sanford said Thursday.
It's not that these Christians lost their salvation, but that they have lost their faith in the Bible, the church and Christian beliefs, said the author, who was addressing attendants at the annual convention of the Evangelical Press Association in Portland, Ore.
Over 31 million Americans are part of this exodus from the church, Sanford said, citing a Barna Group study.
"Any business that is losing 31 million customers is going out of business," he told a room of Christian journalists and editors. "[It] is the greatest crisis among Christians today in the U.S., Canada and some parts of Europe…We must break the silence in our publications.”
In his upcoming book, If God Disappears: 9 Faith Wreckers and What to Do About Them, Sanford details nine reasons he uncovered through listening to stories of those who exited the church on why Christians abandon faith.
Most of the time, Christians leave because of a "wounded" experience. They either deliberately walk away due to questions and doubts that go unanswered or they feel that God has walked away or "disappeared," observed Sanford.
The author noted that he too "experientially" lost his faith a few years back when he encountered a series of unfortunate news, including his daughter being diagnosed with endometriosis – a condition that affects the womb.
"I felt God was pounding and pounding and pounding on me," he said.
Although Sanford at the time was serving in multiple Christian positions – vice president of Publishing and Internet Ministries for the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association and a member of Evangelical Press Association – he said his faith was discouraged to a point where he couldn't even say a prayer before a meal.
But looking back at his situation, Sanford said he realized that God used the crisis in his faith as a "hinge" to re-work his wrong theology and allowed his faith to be more vibrant than before.
He has since applied his experience to his ministry where he comes alongside those who have experientially lost their faith and walks beside them in their journey.
Speaking from experience, he believes Christians who return back to the faith can become a phenomenal force to revitalize churches.
"When you come back, you come back for good. You come back with a passion" and reach out to others who have left the church, he said.
In an effort to raise awareness on why many leave the Christian faith, Sanford called on the Christian media to help put this understated issue before churches.
"Otherwise at EPA in three or four more years, it's going to be 37 million."
If God Disappears is slated for release in the fall.
Comments
Kudos to Katherine for a great article! To hear more about this issue from David Sanford, author of If God Disappears (Tyndale House Publishers, September 2008), please log onto www.IfGodDisappears.blogspot.com . . .
I AM A WORSHIP PASTOR WHO IS PASSIONATELY INTERESTED IN SEARCHING BOTH THE HEART OF GOD AS WELL AS THE HEARTS OF MY FELLOW BELIEVERS ON ISSUES AND CONCERNS SURROUNDING WORSHIP. I AM LOOKING FOR OPEN DIALOGUE ON THE SUBJECT OF WORSHIP AND PARTICULARLY REGARDING THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH.
REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOUR AGE/GENERATION OR CULTURE, ETHNICITY, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME WITH COMMENTS, CONCERNS, IDEAS, THOUGHTS, ETC.
contact me at tierraroja@aol.com
Throughout history the church has grown more quickly in small groups (i.e. home churches etc) - witness what is going on today in China and Vietnam. We (in the USA) are going back to that, and for the better. God bless you, Tim
Read the book of Job and then you will have a better grasp. Just because you are a good church goer or involved in 100 mionistries and obey all of God's commands the best way possible doesnt automatcally shield you from hard times, and the likewise, jsut becasue you are a staunch pagan doesnt mean you autmatically will have hard times either. What it boils down to is trusting in God in any situation, we all know you cant earn you way into heaven because we could never do enough good things. Stop correlating having an easier life with being Chrsitian because it isnt easier, look at all the muslims that are converting to christianity, they are dying for the faith not getting a bigger paycheck or "better" life. We will be persecuted by the pagan world if we truley follow Jesus, plain and simple. Trust in God in the good and the BAD times and he will pull you through them. Abandoning your faith on account of Bad times is the equivalent of "When the going gets tough, the tough become weak and spineless and quit becuase it isnt easy anymore so were they ever tough to begin with?" or something close to that. The worst thing that can be said about a Christian is that they cant tell the difference btwn them and the secular world. If you are a Christian and you fit in, you may need to question if you are taking your faith seriously or if you are just pretending. Take joy in your suffering and praise God!
Howard Dean left the church because they reffused a bike path over church property, but get real, he is a left wing politician, so why should we care who stays or leaves? I would rather be in a company of believers than scoffers.
Now there's a balance to look at! The Bible says a man is worth his wage but it doesn't talk about 2 or 3 persons wages!
On the one hand, I know of a business fellow who gives 90% of his personal income to mission type work. He's still quite rich as God has blessed his hearts commitment. Still, Jesus had no home of His own. Paul accepted gifts from some and rejected from others depending on the hearts of the people. By world standards our homeless people here in the USA live better than most people in 3rd world countries.
If I have what I need I will be content. I have had little and plenty. God is still faithful. Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. I feel pity for those who have the big house but their hearts are run down, cold and empty.
As for some of these "send me money" people...they have their reward.
It would be great if we could if we could limit the posts directing people to external links.
I was struck by the author's phrase she felt God was pounding on her. This is the point where a person will make a real decision for Christ. The issues will vary, but we will all hit that wall at some point in our lives. Unfortunately, many Christians spend their entire Christian lives trying to avoid this and even see it is the church's duty to help protect them from ever having to face any crisis. We are not unlike the Israelites who complained and longed to return to slavery in Egypt and fought being taken in to the wilderness to be tested and to learn how to trust. I have a feeling this is why many men fail to connect with the church. They long to be set free and rightly sense the church will not help them in crossing the Jordan.
I believe outside of the "holier than thou" Christians turning people off to Christianity, we are living in an age of where nobody wants to get their feelings hurt with straight biblical teachings. Everything is about feeling good.
"Most of the time, Christians leave because of a "wounded" experience. They either deliberately walk away due to questions and doubts that go unanswered or they feel that God has walked away or "disappeared," observed Sanford"
I'm honestly not sure that I would place the focus on "wounded experiences". I would be more inclined to believe that the church simply lacks the experiencing of God.
The Holy Spirit tends to work "outside the box", outside of the routine.
I believe they call it not being Religious.
to daniel paul
'the immature who desire big house, nice cars & condos'... what about pastors, who are the messengers of god, point to sin, then blames those who are suffering on sin. where do believers get these 'immature & childish' teachings? pastors & televangelist. also, pastors, televangelist' average salary is $7800/ month with health benefits, nice cars & nice houses.
'Most of the time christians leave because of a wounded experience. they walk out bec of questions go unanswered... '
yes that is true. and what is worst, instead of the 'questions being answered' self righteous, arrogant christians ( especially pastors) give a 'snake when asking for a fish', they also add weight on people's shoulders, blame everything for the cause of suffering on sin & the same believers who cast the first stone will be first people who break the rules.
The other Sunday our Pastor did and alter call. We don't do the alter call every Sunday thing that is so 'normal' here in the south. He got several emails that week asking him to do another one. These emails came from people who hesitated and missed the chance to go down. The next sermon was about how you don't need to have an alter call in a church to become a Christian. The megachurch attracts what are called 'seekers' who are those wanting to learn more about Christianity.
And, gig, you're right about the membership mentality. Churches here boast their membership numbers which include those in the graveyard! To be a member of our church you have to go through a 2 hour class on what being a member of a church is (starting with being saved). Also, members have to serve somewhere in the church and be part of a small group or ministry. In short, members do the work of the ministry. Our membership is about half of our weekly attendance and it has to be renewed each year as a committment to the church. Our small groups are where the connection takes place.
Even still, we have the immature who have desires for the big house, nice car and condo. When you get right down to it, the smaller churches here are not really all that different. They're just more 'spiritual' about their immaturity. The megachurch is just a more concentrated version of what I have seen in the smaller churches for decades.
A link to this article has been posted on the website GoodNewsNow.com
To Curiousbonefish: I'm sorry I couldn't respond to your note sooner. Just a little info for you...like the Apostle Paul, I too long to join the Lord Jesus in the "fellowship of suffering." Do you know what that means? Paul (and all other true believers) had a lifestyle of sharing the Gospel. The suffering he referred to was the extreme persecution because He preached Jesus and Him crucified. Paul understood that when the truth is shared with the object of converting people to faith in Jesus, most will react somewhat violently...even with physical violence against one who is attempting to change their lifestyles. ANY other suffering other than as a direct result of persecution for the faith is not God-generated. We are saved for one reason alone...to glorify the name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus. When we unashamedly speak His name or minister in His name in an attempt to convert souls, we WILL be persecuted. We must, however, always remember...it is not WE who are being persecuted, but the name of Jesus. It is not WE who are being laughed at, physically bruised, or fired from a job...it is the Lord Himself. We are not our own, but have been bought by a price - the blood of the Lamb of God. It is not WE who live, but Christ lives in us. Therefore, all of our "rights" have been surrendered so that we are now full-time servants of the Most High God. If you try serving the Lord and at the same time holding on to your precious rights, you will not be a happy servant. But if you surrender everything to the Lordship of the only One who can give you eternal life, you will know the JOY OF THE LORD in all of life's circumstances. His grace will be suffiscient to ease all of your suffering. If your suffering, however, is due to any other reason than the spread of the Gospel or attempts at the discipling of believers, The Lord will minister to you through His church if you call for prayer. I just wanted you to know the difference between suffering for righteousness sake (the spread of the Gospel) and suffering for any other reasons. Many church members consider personal setbacks and other non-spiritual related issues as "suffering for Jesus." When you suffer for Jesus, it is always the result of being in the direct battle with Satan over the souls of men. May God equip you and use you powerfully in that on-going battle until He comes again for His Church.
rosalieartist I don't know the reason behind you losing your faith. The reasons one leaves the Christian belief is many and varied. Mostly it seems it is becasue someone who says they are of Christ acts in such a way that they hurt one such as youself. Maybe it is because nonbelievesr seem to have all the answer. Maybe it is becasue God seems so distance and you can't hear Him, I don't know. I want you to know I believe God is calling you back to Him. You are like the lost sheep of the 99 and He His calling out to you. Jesus says to Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added on to you. The evidence for a Creator God and the death and resurrection of His Son is overwhelming if one cares to look and try and understand. books like "I Don't have enough Faith to be an Atheist" by N.Geisler and F.Turek or Lee Strobles books Case for Christ, Case for Faith, Josh Mcdowells "evidence that demands a verdict. are just a few. A series of 1 hour studies called the Truth Project out of Focus on the Family is another good resource to check out. Or pray and read the Gospel of John, 1st,2nd,and 3rd John.
let Gods Spirit minister to you through His word. He loves you more then you will ever know this side of eternal life. He sent His Son to die for you as well as all people. I will be praying for you. Gods Blessing In Christ Tom