Why do people leave the church?

Ron Kallmier, who lead the Closing the Back Door seminar, pointed us towards Luke 15 and the three parables about lost things to think about why people leave the church. Three possible reasons:

1. Lost by accident. In other words they wander off and before you know it they’re lost and disconnected with the church.

2. Lost by the carelessness of others. They get hurt by someone or something that happens and they leave.

3. By personal choice. The prodigal son chooses to get himself lost. Some people leave church because of personal sin, ie choosing to leave rather than face the discipline that comes with being a part of a faith community.