Seven Common Reasons Churches Have A Dramatic Decline In Attendance

  1. Change the music philosophy (while assuring the older, conservative set that “nothing will change” (I promise!)
  2. Change the doctrinal position re eschatology
  3. Change from single Pastor w Deacons and congregational government to plurality of Elders (church failed before this could be completed!)
  4. AND The Pastor meets a woman on the Internet and he drives 900 miles to meet her for a romantic weekend

All in less than 3 years!

Yup! Epic collapse!

I’ve seen churches where some of these things have been addressed in their infancy and the leadership didn’t address the matter for a varied number of reasons. Then, when the exodus began, the leadership either ignored or denied the problem.

My advice to churches in decline, whether rapid or gradual, is to engage in some honest self examination.

"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan