Dealing with church hoppers.

Two apparently unrelated phenomena may actually be associated with each other.  Over the last generation or two we have witnessed a significant decline in congregational loyalty.  Once upon a time folks tended to stick with a church as if related by some sort of covenant.  That is not so much the case any more. 

Folks will leave one congregation and go find another congregation for almost any reason.  In some cases what has been described as church growth is nothing more than folks from one congregation moving to another congregation.  Some church plants, but not all, are designed to attract those who are Christians but are only marginally engaged in their church’s life. 

In my ministry I actually had people tell me that they were “church hoppers”.  They would attend a church for a while and then move on.  They steadfastly refused to make any kind of membership commitment to any local church.  They would gladly avail themselves of the church’s ministry and services but were unwilling to make any kind of commitment.  Stop for a moment.  Close your eyes.  My guess is you had a face to go with that description. 

The reason this has happened is that we have marketed the church based on what we can do for people.  Books have been written, seminars taught, and consulting done on how to market the church and make it more attractive to the religious consumers.  As a result, we have created a generation composed almost entirely of consumers with an entitlement mentality.  Going to church is like going to Wal-mart. I come to get what I want for which I am willing to pay a fair price, but if I am not happy I will find it somewhere else.  

I spoke with a minister friend recently who reported that they are having a terrible time finding helpers for children’s Bible classes.  Despite the church being a decent size, growing numerically, and most of those attending regularly being Christian no one wants to help.  Let me ask you, would you be willing to help stock the shelves at Wal-mart every time you went there to shop?  And that is the problem when we “market” the church as a place where folks can come and consume we create an attitude of entitlement.  Which is the opposite of the attitude that Christ has prescribed for us. 

What can be done about the decline of church loyalty?  There is the possibility of ever increasing “wow” during our services.  We can try to always out do, well, everybody.  If we can out do every church in town, every church that streams via the internet and even out do Disney World and if we can manage to always exceed the wants of increasingly fickle, narcissistic, and selfish, entitlement-minded, religious consumers then on going growth is a possibility.  In fact, the sky may be the limit.

However, a more Biblical ideal is to talk frankly and honestly about giving.  In the Old Testament every time God’s people became apathetic about their relationship to Him the Lord began talking about giving.  Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Research shows that:   

·       Giving helps solidify long term relationship.  It is demonstrated for us at the inner personal level.  Men who are in a long-term relationship say that the relationship will likely continue if their girl friend has given them a desirable gift. 

·      Giving to someone close is better than an obligation of giving.  Giving that has a significant impact on the ministry we care about is much more powerful than the survival giving that just keeps the lights on.  We are happier giving to those we know and love. 

·      For future support practice current giving, but that doesn’t have to be tangible gifts.  The giving of time is a powerful way to build the bond of loyalty.  If you do not ask your people to give to your congregation you will struggle with having their loyalty. 

Some might say, “If I talk about giving people will leave my church.”  Yes, they will or at least some will.  They will take with them the money the time and the service they are not currently giving.  They will take with them the drain on resources that could better be used reaching the lost, feeding the hungry, and being Christ in the community.  But many will stay.  In fact, it might be a blessing to experience a “Scottish Revival”.

Like an aircraft carrier we will not be able to turn around quickly.  Almost all the momentum in the church today is toward consumerism in the church.  But in the long run if we do not restore Biblical, proportionate, sacrificial giving we will see our congregations closing in droves and the consumers of religion finding their ear tickled at the church of what’s your pleasure.

Let me close with a question: Can a non-believer worship God or just seek God?  Is there a third option? 

Please let me know your thoughts.