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Quitting Church: Why the Faithful are Fleeing and What to Do about It
Now available in trade paper, Quitting Church explains to church leaders why churches are losing members at a life-threatening rate--and what can be done to reverse the trend. Beginning with the cold, hard facts, Duin then takes readers through a number of issues that influence a person's decision to leave the church, including irrelevancy, hidden suffering, family-centric programming that leaves singles out, impersonal or bland worship services, a lack of biblical literacy, and much more. This eye-opening book is essential reading for pastors, ministry leaders, and churchgoers who wish to bring these disenchanted Christians back into their midst.
186 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 20, 2019
I loved this book! Written - as you can imagine - from a journalistic standpoint and peppered through with hard stats and personal stories.
Some notes:
— Church designed for families but families are only a portion of the demographic - and not the largest. We must find a place/be a place that can be a place we can connect. Of course demographics can be geographical as well.
— service is huge - get connected. Find a place to serve.
— small groups are key - check on your people. When someone is missing do we reach out and check on them?
— women in leadership and pigeon-holed service yiyiyi - it’s a never ending issue but my contempt continues at the lack of professionalism between those in ministry and how women are viewed (temptress, evil). Demeaning. I get leaving doors open - I’m a huge Jerry Jenkins HEDGES fan - but when many of us have been used to working in all sorts of situations - having a office assistant sit in a meeting is incredibly offensive.
— the chapters on women and the Holy Spirit were great.
I think that church is diverse enough as people are and we are going to have all kinds - but anyone in church leadership (pastors and elders), lay ministry, or parachurch ministry should read and absorb some of these statistics.
If you’re someone who is disillusioned with church- press in. Also may consider reading The Bait of Satan - leave only when God makes it clear he is leading you elsewhere.
I had the overwhelming thought while reading this that pastors are HUMAN and very limited. Be the body. Where you see needs (if acceptable and if it’s in line with overall ministry) throw out the idea of adding to the ministry. If not - find a place you can? I can struggle with disillusionment as well and I am one of those older, mature believers she mentions. Unanswered prayers (but I know God knows the answers), marriage on the rocks, and in the thick of parenting - I don’t see taking on a church switch at this time. So I am patient and I am hopeful. I know my pastor cares and I don’t expect of him more than he is able nor what is not his job. That’s what the body is for.
So I persist, serve my family, make meals, and I pray and think about what God has for my future service to the Body.
Some notes:
— Church designed for families but families are only a portion of the demographic - and not the largest. We must find a place/be a place that can be a place we can connect. Of course demographics can be geographical as well.
— service is huge - get connected. Find a place to serve.
— small groups are key - check on your people. When someone is missing do we reach out and check on them?
— women in leadership and pigeon-holed service yiyiyi - it’s a never ending issue but my contempt continues at the lack of professionalism between those in ministry and how women are viewed (temptress, evil). Demeaning. I get leaving doors open - I’m a huge Jerry Jenkins HEDGES fan - but when many of us have been used to working in all sorts of situations - having a office assistant sit in a meeting is incredibly offensive.
— the chapters on women and the Holy Spirit were great.
I think that church is diverse enough as people are and we are going to have all kinds - but anyone in church leadership (pastors and elders), lay ministry, or parachurch ministry should read and absorb some of these statistics.
If you’re someone who is disillusioned with church- press in. Also may consider reading The Bait of Satan - leave only when God makes it clear he is leading you elsewhere.
I had the overwhelming thought while reading this that pastors are HUMAN and very limited. Be the body. Where you see needs (if acceptable and if it’s in line with overall ministry) throw out the idea of adding to the ministry. If not - find a place you can? I can struggle with disillusionment as well and I am one of those older, mature believers she mentions. Unanswered prayers (but I know God knows the answers), marriage on the rocks, and in the thick of parenting - I don’t see taking on a church switch at this time. So I am patient and I am hopeful. I know my pastor cares and I don’t expect of him more than he is able nor what is not his job. That’s what the body is for.
So I persist, serve my family, make meals, and I pray and think about what God has for my future service to the Body.
August 7, 2011
While it was packed with information about many people and how they have handled being disillusioned with the Christian church, after awhile, it just started sounding like a gripe session and never really offered concrete ways to make our churches stronger and more in tune with the needs of people today. The subtitle was an after thought that never made it onto the pages, I suppose ("What to do about it."). It was quite interesting to hear about groups all over the country that are trying all sorts of things to find meaning in fellowship. Home churches, "seeker" churches and mainline, traditional churches were all explored and their weaknesses exposed.
I suppose there are some that would say that the church does not need to adapt; that we are still the same human model that walked the earth thousands of years ago and the God who oversees this grand experiment called "The Creation" has not changed so why should the church? I am still not sure what I believe about that. Too many times, people want the church to change into their image; an image that caters to their lives and makes them feel more comfortable. On the other hand, the church is called to meet people where they are. This is so that the church can speak in a language they can understand so that they can make an informed decision about whether to follow Christ's teachings or not.
I could not find much to indicate that this author is decidedly on the left, right or up and down for that matter. There was not a clear bias which was refreshing. Church leaders could glean some valuable insights from this book.
I suppose there are some that would say that the church does not need to adapt; that we are still the same human model that walked the earth thousands of years ago and the God who oversees this grand experiment called "The Creation" has not changed so why should the church? I am still not sure what I believe about that. Too many times, people want the church to change into their image; an image that caters to their lives and makes them feel more comfortable. On the other hand, the church is called to meet people where they are. This is so that the church can speak in a language they can understand so that they can make an informed decision about whether to follow Christ's teachings or not.
I could not find much to indicate that this author is decidedly on the left, right or up and down for that matter. There was not a clear bias which was refreshing. Church leaders could glean some valuable insights from this book.
November 25, 2012
I read the first 50 pages and threw it right into the Goodwill box. Poor writing turned what could be an interesting topic into a boring, repetitive list of complaints and weak examples. Don't go near this mess.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews