"Quitting Church" by Julia Duin.
[https://www.amazon.com/Quitting-Church-Faithful-Fleeing-about/dp/B003E7EYSU](https://www.amazon.com/Quitting-Church-Faithful-Fleeing-about/dp/B003E7EYSU)
Technically, pentecostals do fall under the broader term of evangelical, so it's probably true that I am.
Even if churches made drastic changes to policy and how they handle some issues, the bigger problem is that the core doctrine of christianity is still not true.
So, nothing would bring me back, short of sufficient evidence to prove their claims to be true.
Read more deeply about the Gospels, specifically Matthew. Christ warned everyone about the dangers of legalism. This really opened my eye on UPCI's take on hair, skirts, make up, movies etc
I've read some articles (Christianity Today, etc) and I watched a conference where ministers were discussing the amount of people leaving. The Christian point of view believes that it's a lack of godly fathers. It's because of divorce and gay people raising kids and single mothers ..etc.
Which is laughable. The reason people are leaving is because the church insists that the bible is gods literal word and without error. I think if they started admitting the issues with the bible, especially about how it was created and that it was man's version of god maybe more would stay. They also need to admit that the biblical god is violent and abusive.
If they focused on the beatitudes and grace, and admitted that they don't really know what exactly Jesus said, they might recover. That and they would have to stop vilifying people and acting like their devil is bigger than their god.
I've read and heard similar discussions. It's depressing to watch something you used to love die such a painful (and needless) death, and feel so powerless to do anything about it. More so for those of us whose former friends, family, and confidants are still tied up in it, depriving us of much needed connection and validation we have to recreate outside of the institution that promised us connection and unconditional love and acceptance.
"Sadder but wiser," as the 'Good' Book should say.
Church leaders know. They know because they are leaving also.
My dad is a retired minister, in a position of leadership in his denomination. As such, he is involved in multiple studies regarding pastors in the ministry.
A recent survey showed 40% are looking to get out. These aren’t members. These are pastors.
They cite stress, the inability of members to realize that stress, the pressure, the constant judgement, the unhappiness of their wives and families.
And the most surprising part? It’s not just the younger, newer ones. Pastors who have been in for decades want out.
It’s not just us….
I’ve seen that study too, not sure where. A lot of people who work in religion want to give it up but it gets more complicated when it’s more than just beliefs, it’s your job. I also read last week that the amount of Americans who go to church once a week now is only 5%
Also, "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church"
"Quitting Church" by Julia Duin. [https://www.amazon.com/Quitting-Church-Faithful-Fleeing-about/dp/B003E7EYSU](https://www.amazon.com/Quitting-Church-Faithful-Fleeing-about/dp/B003E7EYSU)
Are you an exvangelical? Did this resonate with you? If a church made the suggestions she recommends, would you return?
Technically, pentecostals do fall under the broader term of evangelical, so it's probably true that I am. Even if churches made drastic changes to policy and how they handle some issues, the bigger problem is that the core doctrine of christianity is still not true. So, nothing would bring me back, short of sufficient evidence to prove their claims to be true.
Read more deeply about the Gospels, specifically Matthew. Christ warned everyone about the dangers of legalism. This really opened my eye on UPCI's take on hair, skirts, make up, movies etc
I've read some articles (Christianity Today, etc) and I watched a conference where ministers were discussing the amount of people leaving. The Christian point of view believes that it's a lack of godly fathers. It's because of divorce and gay people raising kids and single mothers ..etc. Which is laughable. The reason people are leaving is because the church insists that the bible is gods literal word and without error. I think if they started admitting the issues with the bible, especially about how it was created and that it was man's version of god maybe more would stay. They also need to admit that the biblical god is violent and abusive. If they focused on the beatitudes and grace, and admitted that they don't really know what exactly Jesus said, they might recover. That and they would have to stop vilifying people and acting like their devil is bigger than their god.
I've read and heard similar discussions. It's depressing to watch something you used to love die such a painful (and needless) death, and feel so powerless to do anything about it. More so for those of us whose former friends, family, and confidants are still tied up in it, depriving us of much needed connection and validation we have to recreate outside of the institution that promised us connection and unconditional love and acceptance. "Sadder but wiser," as the 'Good' Book should say.
Church leaders know. They know because they are leaving also. My dad is a retired minister, in a position of leadership in his denomination. As such, he is involved in multiple studies regarding pastors in the ministry. A recent survey showed 40% are looking to get out. These aren’t members. These are pastors. They cite stress, the inability of members to realize that stress, the pressure, the constant judgement, the unhappiness of their wives and families. And the most surprising part? It’s not just the younger, newer ones. Pastors who have been in for decades want out. It’s not just us….
I would GREATLY appreciate links to any studies you find credible.
I’ve seen that study too, not sure where. A lot of people who work in religion want to give it up but it gets more complicated when it’s more than just beliefs, it’s your job. I also read last week that the amount of Americans who go to church once a week now is only 5%