MAJOR REASONS WHY PEOPLE DON’T COME TO CHURCH (PART ONE)

The great desire I ascribe to is to see individuals grow to become like Christ in all facet and wise. My heart goes out personally for the church of God of which am apart of. I ponder  and express much interest in the church, for what reason I do most a times critically observe Christians and churches anywhere I go. A message of this kind has been burning on my heart of which I believe is by the inspiration of the spirit and therefore deem it much prudent and timely relevant to share with the body of Christ. I hope Christians and Christian leaders take note to help build the body of Christ.

1. LAZINESS

We desire that each one of you may show the same diligence to the fullness of hope even to the end, that you won’t be sluggish (lazy), but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherited the promises. Hebrew 6:11-12

Laziness is defined as inactivity resulting from a dislike of work. As part of the reasons why some individuals don’t attend church is laziness. This may probably sound unbelievable and weird but consider this. The church engages us in several activities (standing, sitting, praying, clapping, singing etc.) which are good  and enhances our spiritual growth. But for some individuals, coming to church means they have to engage in all these activities which sometime seem as a burden. This adverse attitude of these individuals are a derivative of familiarity to these activities which is born from the inability of these activities, though spiritual, to solve their problems with time. At this point, weariness sets in and causes people to loose interest church attendance.

We must be made to know and align with God’s own timing for doing things in our lives inspire of our desperation to receive something from God. God is never too late and he is never too early, he always comes on time and he makes all things beautiful in his time.

Again, we must exercise patience when we seek something from God desperately and we have engaged in all the spiritual activities we know and have been told to do and yet nothing changes. At this point we should be patient and hope on God. Many a time God through the unfavorable circumstances we face teaches us patience which helps our maturity in Christ.

 

Lastly I think some activities we are made to engage in at church sometimes are not unnecessary, because it’s of no essence to the believer. So many men of God out of carnality and enthusiasm sometimes would make members do a whole lot at church which has no bearing with scripture, hence has no authority backing from heaven.

2. TORMENT FROM THE PAST

Some Christians who were pressing into God with a genuine passion for God for some reason at a particular point backslides and fell into sin which many a time has its origin from the iniquities our souls have been exposed to because of our domination in sin once upon a time. When this happens, the memory of those past sinful experiences and addictions causes one to be weak and vulnerable and many a times may fall to those sins in temptation with a weak spiritual life. These kind of individuals after comparing the extent to which they reached in Christ and yet fell into those sin(s) feel they have disappointed God and those that looks up to them probably for spirituality. Its heart breaking sometimes especially when the individual gets to a point of hopelessness and lack of faith in Christ. This is more severe if this same sin keeps occurring in their lives over and over again to an extent that their conscience is seared with iron and develop hatred and indifference to the things of God. This kind of people unless by the intervention of God through intercession, subjection to consistent teachings and showing them God’s love to restore them, they may loose their salvation at the peak of this state.
“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen^[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace”.(Hebrews 6:4).

Suddenly, issues and things of God, bible, prayer, spirituality, becomes a nuisance to them and for that reason they will never come to church or join any christian gathering. This is because the memories of their fall or consistent fall weakens their hope, desire for God and willingness for churchy staffs. It so happens that their backslide instigates fear in them for another pursuit in God. This draw them back and dwindles their desire for God. For most of them they feel a strong disappointment they have caused God.

3. THE UNPLEASANT ATTITUDE OF SOME CHRISTIANS

The adverse attitude and behavior of some Christians towards other individuals has been one notable reason for many individuals not coming to church. In 2016, I went for missions at kete Krachi at the Volta region of Ghana. I noticed as part of the reasons why people don’t go to church, is the adverse attitude of some Christians and even Pastors. Moreover, I have personally eavesdropped from the discussions and complaints of some individuals who left their church to another revealing the reason to be the unpleasing attitudes of some Christians and certain pastors. This calls for a great concern if we truly are interested in advancing the kingdom. Well, some Christians and pastors think these individuals who don’t come to church are immature but I beg to differ, this is not always true. I think the issue is not to say they are immature but rather address and correct this problem in order to foster love, unity and togetherness in the body of Christ. Am not supporting or condoning individuals who don’t attend church, but rather drawing the mind of various Christian leaders to this overlooked issue which is responsible for depopulation of church members.

Read more …  MAJOR REASONS WHY PEOPLE DON’T COME TO CHURCH (PART TWO)