Why are millions of people are leaving their local churches?

Billy Graham warns the church of likely church attendance shift.

In 1965 Billy warned,

“Multitudes of Christians within the church are moving toward the point where they may reject the institution that we call the church. They are beginning to turn to more simplified forms of worship. They are hungry for a personal and vital experience with Jesus Christ. They want a heartwarming personal faith. Unless the church quickly recovers its authoritative Biblical message, we may witness the spectacle of millions of Christians going outside the institutional church to find spiritual food” World Aflame: The Inadequacy of Modern Religion, p. 87.

Ellen White Predicted the Current Trend of People Separating Themselves from Churches.

In 1911 Ellen wrote,

“. . . there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His Word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming” Great Controversy, p. 464 (italics supplied).

Notice what she did say, and what she did not say:

• “Among the people of the Lord” this revival is not limited to a specific denomination. It includes people in any denomination and people outside of a “denomination.”
  
• “Many will separate themselves from those churches” includes all denominations, even the denomination of which one may be a member.
  
• “Many . . . will gladly accept those great truths.” She does not say people will switch denominations or join as members of a denomination.  She says they “will gladly accept those great truths.” Truth seekers or spiritual seekers in today’s world accept Biblical truth as a message (even though they may not join a denomination).
  
• Keep reading to see how research is confirming this 1911 prediction.

George Barna’s Research Verifies Mega-Shift

In 2005 George wrote, “Well over 20 million have left the church to ‘go find God.’”

“The Revolutionary mind-set is simple: Do whatever it takes to get closer to God and to help others to do the same.  Obliterate any obstacle that prevents you from honoring God with every breath you take. Be such an outstanding example of the Christian faith that no one will question your heart or lifestyle–except those who see institutional survival as equally or more important than the alleged influence of the institution they defend.

Or, put more succinctly, the Revolution is about recognizing that we are not called to go to church. We are called to be the Church.”  Revolution, p. 3

Josh Packard’s Research Confirms Mega-Shift

In their new book, Church Refugees: Sociologists Reveal Why People Are DONE With Church But Not Their Faith, Dr. Josh Packard, and Ashleigh Hope set out to understand the widespread phenomenon of church decline.

Their latest research suggests that of the 318 million people in America, approximately 104 million (33%) have left the church.

“Our interviews indicate that the dechurched are among the most dedicated people in any congregation. They often work themselves into positions of leadership in an attempt to fix the things about the church that dissatisfy them before ultimately deciding their energies could be better spent elsewhere. In other words, the dechurched were the “doers” in their congregations.” p. 23.

Where are these people going?  “The dechurched tend to construct church alternatives through political and civic engagements, small groups or house churches, or informal but spiritually meaningful gatherings” p. 68.

“As our society approaches a post-institutional era it’s entirely possible the near monopoly that the church has enjoyed over faithful expressions and religious connections may be coming to an end.  The activities of the dechurched may be ushering in a new understanding of what religious activity means.  If this trend continues, it will fundamentally reshape the way Americans experience organized religion” p. 69.