In my consulting work, we often ask church members to interview unchurched friends and neighbors to find out why they’re not going to church.
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Here are some of the most common responses we’ve heard over the last several years:
1. “It’s just never been a part of my life.” These folks aren’t necessarily opposed to church; they just don’t know that world.
2. “I don’t really have a reason.” Some people have never even considered the question until confronted by someone in our consulting process.
3. “It’s my only day off.” In many cases, that’s the honest response of busy people. They may not see the need to attend church, but even if they did, they’re tired.
4. “I’m never going back to church again.” Most of the time, these words come from someone who’s been hurt in the past.
5. “I don’t know who I’d go with.” Usually, this response means that we’re talking to someone who has never been invited to a church.
6. “Church is boring.” Sometimes these folks have indeed attended a boring church. Others have just heard the rumor. Either one is bad.
7. “I don’t need church.” These respondents are often genuinely not aware of any real difference that church can make in their lives.
8. “They only want money.” Few people I’ve talked to can give me evidence to support this claim, but this reasoning is out there.
9. “I don’t like their rules.” That’s growing in frequency as culture grants approval to more and more unbiblical choices.
10. “I don’t know where to go.” When I was unchurched, I would have had no clue where to begin. In fact, I’m convinced that only God’s grace and protection planted me in a Bible-believing, gospel-preaching church.
What other excuses have you heard?
EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was written by Chuck Lawless of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and originally published at chucklawless.com.
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