Switching Churches

[StillStanding]

This was in The Tennessean newspaper this morning:

According to a study by Ellison Research, one-third of Protestants may switch churches in the future.

Of that group, one-fourth would consider only a church of the same denomination.

The median figure for attending the same church is 6.6 years. However, those denominations with less longevity among individual churchgoers have more active worshippers.

Pentecostal, Presbyterian and nondenominational churches are the least likely to show denominational loyalty, according to the study.

If the median amount of years attending the same church is 6.6 years, then it can be assumed that in Pentecostal churches the average years of loyalty is lower.

In my experience, the churches I've been involved in had a core group that was loyal, but we did have many that went out the back door as fast as they came through the front door.

Is this true at your church?

Originally Posted by Pianoman

This was in The Tennessean newspaper this morning:



If the median amount of years attending the same church is 6.6 years, then it can be assumed that in Pentecostal churches the average years of loyalty is lower.

In my experience, the churches I've been involved in had a core group that was loyal, but we did have many that went out the back door as fast as they came through the front door.

Is this true at your church?

Interesting...but I don't know that I agree about the loyalty statement...I don't think this is anything new either...I think people that do attend church do for a lot of reasons, and not all of them are to have a relationship with God!!! Yes there are a certain number who just kind of pass through, that is one of the problems is getting people to stick...some are just shopping for the "Perfect" church which we all know does not exsist!

[Steve Epley]

I think when speaking of Pentecostal churches the spectrum to them is everyone as in AG to whatever. I will admit in some Pentecostal churches the turn over is large and shortlived. However in many churches there is the backbone that has been there throughout every trial and test for years. The oldest member is yet with us which makes nearly 50 years.

[freeatlast]

We have many with us that have been here over 25 years.
I have been where I am since 1991.

I was a part of my former church for over 20 years. i don't move around much.

The church I was in for 20 years was due in part to a pastor who taught very forcfully that ya just couldn't make heaven if ya left his congreagation.

Most other church's were called worldly. other churches were spoken evil of from the pulpit.

Fear kept most of us there, not loyalty.

There are 2 issues I see. 1. Pastor's come and go every 3-5 years in a lot of places. So, what message does that send to the saints?. 2. People looking for the perfect church will find it, for a perfect few Months, Days, Weeks, etc... There is a perfect church; God's Church!! The people will not be. Church hopping is a waste of the a saints time. I say get in a church where you know the preacher will be there for a while, he's committed, and love God, go to heaven, etc... If you have places like where Bro. Epley pastors, there will be stability in the saints because you have that in the pastor.

FreeatLast, I too came from the same background and almost the same amount of time. Did not leave because 1. I loved that ministry 2. When that ministry got out of the book, it took me a long time to leave because of fear.

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by hammondb3klingon1

FreeatLast, I too came from the same background and almost the same amount of time. Did not leave because 1. I loved that ministry 2. When that ministry got out of the book, it took me a long time to leave because of fear.

I thought Klingons weren't 'fraid a nuttin?

After researching the internet I found that Klingons are afraid of something called a tribble. I have not idea what that is, because quite frankly I have never seen that show. But the picture on the internet shows the tribble and it looks like a hamster or fuzzy rat How funny kind of like the Elephant and mouse analogy

Church hoppers by any other name are still church hoppers.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by hammondb3klingon1

After researching the internet I found that Klingons are afraid of something called a tribble. I have not idea what that is, because quite frankly I have never seen that show. But the picture on the internet shows the tribble and it looks like a hamster or fuzzy rat How funny kind of like the Elephant and mouse analogy

Mousey, mousey, mousey ... Victory shall be mine ... my over-sized rat ...