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Transcript of Www.lifewayresearch.com 1 Adults Who Have Switched Churches Winter 2006-07.
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Adults Who Have Switched Churches
Winter 2006-07
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Presentation Contents
• Background and Methodology 3• Summary of key findings 4• Factors influencing adults to switch churches 6• Elements of search for new church 19• Between churches 27• Comparison of previous and current churches 33• Beliefs about God and outlook on future attendance 45• Implications for church leaders 48
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• This study builds upon LifeWay Research’s Formerly Churched Study 2006 that examined why former church goers left church and what it would take to bring them back
• The objective of the survey was to better understand why people switch churches, and how these situations differ from the formerly churched who do not resume church attendance
• 632 total surveys were conducted among church switchers, providing 95% confidence that total results have sampling error that does not exceed +3.9% To better understand the reasons why church switchers change churches when they have
not had a residential move, some data is shown separately for “Movers” and “Non-Movers”
• 415 of the surveys were among Non-Movers, providing 95% confidence that sampling error does not exceed +4.9%
• 217 of the surveys were among Movers, providing 95% confidence that sampling error does not exceed +6.8%
• The study was conducted as a web survey Respondents were recruited, pre-screened and incented through an online panel The national sample controls for the age, gender, and location of respondents compared to
national totals
In December 2006, a Study of Adults Who Have Switched Churches was administered to 632 Protestant churchgoers who have attended more than one church on a regular basis as adults
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Summary of key findings
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Churchgoers who change churches are more likely to be fleeing their previous church than being drawn by their new church
• Became disenchanted with pastor or church represents the top bucket of reasons why Non-Movers stop attending their previous church when they switch churches
– Three of the top five reasons involve disenchantment: church members seemed judgmental, too many things in general changed at the church, and pastor was NOT a good preacher
– However, church was not helping me to develop spiritually and did not feel engaged/involved in meaningful work in church are the top two reasons for not attending church – both fall in the category of the church not fulfilling their needs
• Those who left their previous church and took a break from church decide to attend a new church because of a combination of feeling it is time and invitations from friends and family
– While most adults who are “between” churches for at least 3 months are not actively looking, only 9% have no intention of returning to church during this period
– The top three motivating factors to begin attending a new church revolve around relationships: to become closer to God, to fill a gap felt since stopping regular attendance and to be around those with similar values
• Adults who have switched churches most commonly identify themselves as devout Christians with a strong faith in God
• Church switchers who are searching for a new church are looking for a church based on the church’s beliefs/doctrine, preaching, and the authenticity of church members/pastor
• Two thirds of Non-Movers feel their new church meets their needs better than their previous church for sermons that are consistently engaging/enlightening and preaching that is relevant to my life
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Factors influencing adults to switch churches(other than a residential move)
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Churchgoers who change churches for reasons other than a residential move are more likely to do so out of a desire to leave their previous church rather than an attraction to a new church
Q.14 My decision to switch churches was most impacted by…Base: Non-Movers (n= 415)
Greatest Impact on Decision to Switch Churches
58%
42%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
My need/desire to leavemy previous church
My desire to join mycurrent church
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ALL reasons for no longer attending previous church
21%
7%
17%
21%
27%
31%
33%
44%
51%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Other
Changes in beliefs/ attitudes toward church and religion
Had problems with other church members/staff/clergy
Changes in life situation
Could not agree with teachings or positions on issues
Felt out of place at the church
Something changed about the church
Church not fulfilling needs/ reasons for attending church
Became disenchanted with pastor/church
Other than a residential move, the top category of reasons adults who switch churches leave their previous church is because they have become disenchanted with the pastor and/or church
Q.13 What are ALL of the reasons that you no longer attend your previous church? Non-Mover Base: (n= 415)
• 71% of those who could not agree with their previous church’s teachings or positions on issues changed denominations when they switched churches
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TOP TEN reasons for leaving previous church
13%
14%
14%
14%
15%
16%
16%
18%
20%
28%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Pastor seemed hypocritical
Pastor w as judgmental of others
Church w as run by a clique that discouraged involvement
Church didn't seem to be a place in w hich God w as at w ork
Church members seemed hypocritical
Pastor w as NOT a good preacher
Too many things in general changed
Church members w ere judgmental of others
Did not feel engaged/involved in meaningful w ork in church
Church w as not helping me to develop spiritually
Of all reasons within all categories other than moving, church was not helping me to develop spiritually is the number one specific reason people leave their previous church and switch to a new one
Q13. What are ALL the reasons that you no longer attend your previous church?Note: to obtain a pure comparison of ratings across categories, individual level ratings have been multiplied by percent rating in each category; resulting percentages represent a percent of ALL 415 Non-Mover respondents selecting each particular level
Church not fulfilling needs for attendance
Became disenchanted with pastor/church
Changes within previous church
Bucket-level category
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Reasons for becoming disenchanted with previous pastor
• Pastor was NOT a good preacher (16%)
• Pastor was judgmental of others (14%)
• Pastor seemed hypocritical (13%)
• Pastor seemed insincere (12%)
• Pastor settled for mediocrity (10%)
• Pastor had no clear purpose or vision (9%)
• Pastor was unfriendly and/or unwelcoming (8%)
• Pastor had a moral or ethical failure (7%)
• Pastor lacked conviction about his beliefs (4%)
• Pastor discouraged others from getting involved (3%)
Percentage of all Non-Mover church switchers who left their previous church because they were disenchanted with the pastor
Q13a. Why did you become disenchanted with the pastor? Non-Mover Base: (n=212)Note: to obtain a pure comparison of ratings across categories, individual level ratings have been multiplied by percent rating in each category; resulting percentages represent a percent of ALL 415 Non-Mover respondents selecting each particular level
“The pastor was a very poor pastor who gave 5 minute sermons that he had gotten from the Internet.”
“The pastor quit preaching and replaced it with whining.”
“The church hired a new young, inexperienced pastor that spoke in an accusatory manner that I didn’t appreciate.”
51% of all Non-Movers cited the category of disenchantment with the pastor or church as a reason for leaving their previous church
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Reasons for becoming disenchanted with previous church
• Church members were judgmental of others (18%)
• Church members seemed hypocritical (15%)
• Church was run by a clique that discouraged involvement (14%)
• Church didn’t seem to be a place in which God was at work (14%)
• Church settled for mediocrity (12%)
• Church had no clear purpose or vision (11%)
• Church members seemed insincere (10%)
• Church was unfriendly and/or unwelcoming (10%)
• Church members lacked conviction about their beliefs (7%)
• Church had too many expectations of my time and money (5%)
• Child had a bad experience (3%)
Percentage of all Non-Mover church switchers who left their previous church because they were disenchanted with the church
Q13a. Why did you become disenchanted with the church? Non-Mover Base: (n=212) Note: to obtain a pure comparison of ratings across categories, individual level ratings have been multiplied by percent rating in each category; resulting percentages represent a percent of ALL 415 Non-Mover respondents selecting each particular level
“The previous church I attended didn’t welcome anyone…they just stared.”
“The former church was so superficial, unfriendly, judgmental, and made me feel uncomfortable.”
“Needed a more spirit filled church. In the [previous church] the minister appeared to be just going through the motions and did not have a real zest for relationship with God”
“Seemed to be ‘family-run.’”
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Ways previous church was not fulfilling needs/reasons for attending
• Church was not helping me to develop spiritually (28%)
• Did not feel engaged/involved in meaningful work in church (20%)
• Did not become friends or close with anyone at the church (13%)
• No one seemed to care about my situation/problems (10%)
• Church did not help me find answers to questions in my life (9%)
• Church did not help me find happiness (7%)
Percentage of all Non-Mover church switchers who left their previous church because the church was not fulfilling their needs or reasons for attending church
Q.13e. In what ways was the church not fulfilling your needs or reasons for attending church? Non-Mover Base: (n=184) Note: to obtain a pure comparison of ratings across categories, individual level ratings have been multiplied by percent rating in each category; resulting percentages represent a percent of ALL 415 Non-Mover respondents selecting each particular level
“We did not feel we were growing or learning in our old church.”
“I needed a church where there were more opportunities to serve and meet a wider variety of people.”
44% of all Non-Movers cited the category of church not fulfilling needs as a reason for leaving their previous church
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Unfavorable changes within previous church
• Too many things in general changed (16%)
• Pastor/other staff I liked left the church (13%)
• Church’s religious teachings/beliefs changed (10%)
• Worship style changed (8%)
• Church’s teachings on political/social issues changed (7%)
• Other members I liked no longer attended (5%)
• New members of congregation were too different from me (3%)
• Program I liked was changed/discontinued (3%)
Percentage of all Non-Mover church switchers who left their previous church because of unfavorable changes within the church
Q13b. What changed about the church that you did not like? Non-Mover Base: (n=137) Note: to obtain a pure comparison of ratings across categories, individual level ratings have been multiplied by percent rating in each category; resulting percentages represent a percent of ALL 415 Non-Mover respondents selecting each particular level
“The previous church changed preachers and we did not like the replacement.”
“The pastor of my previous church left, and the new pastor was radically different and the music switched from traditional to rock music.”
33% of all Non-Movers cited the category of unfavorable changes as a reason for leaving their previous church
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Ways in which church switchers felt out of place at previous church
• Had a different view of church/religion than other members (13%)
• Home/family situation was different than most other members (8%)
• Felt out of place in terms of social class/education (5%)
• Most other members were a different age than me (5%)
• Most other members were a different ethnicity than me (0%)
Percentage of all Non-Mover church switchers who left their previous church because they felt out of place at their previous church
Q13d. In what ways did you feel out of place at the church? Non-Mover Base: (n=128) Note: to obtain a pure comparison of ratings across categories, individual level ratings have been multiplied by percent rating in each category; resulting percentages represent a percent of ALL 415 Non-Mover respondents selecting each particular level
“My husband was not fitting in (he is blue collar and the others were white collar).”
“Was disenchanted with the way previous church was moving toward ‘Christianity-lite.’”
“I’m not married and have no children and so felt out of place.”
31% of all Non-Movers cited the category of felt out of place as a reason for leaving their previous church
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Unfavorable teachings/positions on issues within previous church
• Teachings on how to apply the Bible to life issues (12%)
• Teachings on theological issues (12%)
• Teachings on moral issues (9%)
• Pastor/church was generally too conservative for my taste (6%)
• Pastor/church seemed aligned with particular political party (5%)
• Pastor/church was generally too liberal for my taste (5%)
Percentage of all Non-Mover church switchers who left their previous church because they disagreed with their previous church’s teachings/positions on issues
Q13c. What was it about the church’s teachings or positions on issues that you disagreed with or did not like? Non-Mover Base: (n=113) Note: to obtain a pure comparison of ratings across categories, individual level ratings have been multiplied by percent rating in each category; resulting percentages represent a percent of ALL 415 Non-Mover respondents selecting each particular level
“I was looking for something that was in alignment with my own beliefs.”
“The change was prompted by the desire to attend a church that held beliefs that I understood to be more consistent with Scripture.”
“Former church traded biblical focus for social/political focus.”
27% of all Non-Movers cited the category of unfavorable teachings/ positions as a reason for leaving their previous church
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Percentage of all Non-Mover church switchers who left their previous church because of changes in their life situation
Q.13g. What changes in your life situation caused you to stop attending your previous church? Non-Mover Base: (n=89) Note: to obtain a pure comparison of ratings across categories, individual level ratings have been multiplied by percent rating in each category; resulting percentages represent a percent of ALL 415 Non-Mover respondents selecting each particular level
Changes in life situation
• Got married (5%)
• Got divorced or separated (4%)
• Work situation prevented attendance (2%)
• Just wanted a break from church (2%)
• Moved to college (2%)
• Taking/going with someone else who no longer attended (2%)
• Simply got too busy to attend church (1%)
• Family/home responsibilities prevented attendance (1%)
• Illness or infirmity prevented me from attending (0%)
• Children’s sports activities were on Sunday (0%)
• Depended on someone taking me who became unavailable (0%)
21% of all Non-Movers cited the category of changes in life situation as a reason for leaving their previous church
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Problems with other members, staff or clergy
• Church generally seemed embroiled in conflict (7%)
• Specific conflict(s) with individual(s) about church business (7%)
• Some individual(s) were critical/judgmental of me (5%)
• I was mistreated by some individual(s) (4%)
• Specific conflict(s) with individual(s) about personal issues (3%)
• Pastor/other leaders were mistreated by some individual(s) (3%)
Percentage of all Non-Mover church switchers who left their previous church because of problems or conflicts with other church members or staff
Q13f. What kinds of problems or conflicts did you have with other church members, staff or clergy? Non-Mover Base: (n=71) Note: to obtain a pure comparison of ratings across categories, individual level ratings have been multiplied by percent rating in each category; resulting percentages represent a percent of ALL 415 Non-Mover respondents selecting each particular level
“In the previous church, the members were constantly fighting especially at business meetings. They accused the pastor of every problem they had in their own life.”
17% of all Non-Movers cited the category of problems or conflicts with other church members or staff as a reason for leaving their previous church
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Percentage of all Non-Mover church switchers who left their previous church because changes in beliefs or attitudes toward church/religion
Q13h. What about your beliefs or attitudes toward church and religion changed to cause you to stop attending your previous church?Non-Mover Base: (n=29) Note: to obtain a pure comparison of ratings across categories, individual level ratings have been multiplied by percent rating in each category; resulting percentages represent a percent of ALL 415 Non-Mover respondents selecting each particular level
Changes in beliefs/attitudes toward church or religion
• No longer believed in that particular church’s teachings/approach (5%)
• Could no longer identify with that particular denomination (4%)
• Simply lost interest in going to church (2%)
• Didn’t think that church was relevant to my life any longer (2%)
• Stopped believing in organized religion (2%)
• Went through a loss and/or crisis of faith (1%)
• Became angry at God for personal reasons (1%)
• Could no longer identify myself as a Christian (1%)
• Felt that God had abandoned me when I needed him (1%)
• Was really only going to church out of habit in the first place (0%)
• Was only going to church to please others, not for myself (0%)
• Stopped believing in God altogether (0%)
7% of all Non-Movers cited the category of changes in beliefs or attitudes toward church/religion as a reason for leaving their previous church
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Elements of search for new church
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Important factors in choosing current church
16%
22%
27%
33%
31%
35%
25%
37%
35%
38%
28%
40%
39%
29%
43%
40%
34%
33%
27%
6%
9%
12%
14%
16%
14%
25%
16%
21%
32%
41%
31%
34%
45%
33%
40%
52%
54%
62%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Little use of religious jargonSize of church
Low pressure to commitWorship Times
Acquaintances among church membersLocation
DenominationChurch members similar to me
Opportunities to serveMusic
Opportunities to learn biblical truthUnity among members
Church members with whom I could build relationships Evidence of God’s work/changed lives
Care for communityWorship Style
Authenticity of church members/pastorPreaching
Beliefs/Doctrine of the church
4 -Important 5- Extremely Important
Church switchers select a new church based on what the church says it believes and whether they live what they believe
Q.12a Please rate how important each of the following were in your decision to attend your current church. On a scale of 1-5, where “1” means “Extremely Unimportant” and “5” means “Extremely Important,” Base: All (n= 632)
89%
87%
86%80%
76%
74%
73%
71%70%
69%
56%
52%50%
49%
47%
47%38%
31%
22%
Significant differences Movers vs. Non-Movers:
Location 61% vs. 43%Denomination 60% vs.44%Opportunities to learn biblical truth (class, event, etc) 63% vs. 73%
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Almost a third of church switchers begin to actively search for a new church before leaving their previous church
Q.7a In switching from your previous church to your current church, did you actively search for a new church…?Base: All (n= 632)
Active search for a new church
Before leaving your previous church
30%
Don’t recall an active search on my
part 28%
After leaving your previous church,
42%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
• Only one-fourth (21%) of those whose switch is related to a residential move begin an active search before leaving their previous church, compared to 35% of Non-Movers
• Instead, Movers are more likely than Non-Movers to search for a new church after leaving their previous church (55% vs. 34%)
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In person visits is the method most frequently used to search for a new church by church switchers
Q.7b Which of the following resources did you use when looking for a new church? Base: Q7a = “Before” or “After” (n= 453; Movers n=166; Non-Movers n=287)
Resources used when looking for a new church
1%
4%
19%
21%
64%
83%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
None of the above
Other
Phonebook or localadvertisements
Internet websites/online searchtools
Recommendations fromfamily/friends/etc.
In-person visits to churches
• Adults who switch due to a residential move are more likely to use Phonebooks or local advertisements (28%) compared to those who switch for other reasons (14%)
• Movers are also more likely to use Internet websites/online search tools (28%) compared to those who switch for other reasons (17%)
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Adults who have switched churches are most often introduced to their new church by an invitation from a friend or family member
Q.8a How were you first introduced to your current church? SELECT ALL THAT APPLYBase: All (n= 632)
• Word-of-mouth and already being familiar with the church are also common means of introduction
First introduction to current church
1%
6%
7%
10%
15%
25%
27%
27%
32%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
I found out about it through a media story
I found out about it from an ad
I found out about it on the internet
Other
A family member invited me to attend
I had driven by the church before
I had always been familiar with the church
I heard about it through word-of-mouth
A friend/acquaintance invited me to attendMovers are much less likely to get invitations from friends 22% compared to 37% of Non-Movers
Movers are less likely to already be familiar with the church 21% compared to 30% of Non-Movers
Movers are a little more likely to use an ad 9% compared to 4% of Non-Movers
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A worship service is by far the first event or activity attended at their new church by adults switching churches
Q.8b What was the first event/activity that you attended at your current church? Base: All (n= 632)
First event or activity attended at current church
0%
1%
1%
1%
2%
3%
4%
88%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
A service project of the church
A class other than a Bible study that interested me
A Bible study class or small group in a home
A social get-together among church members
Other
A musical event
A Bible study class or small group at the church
A worship service
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While a few adults looking for a new church decide to attend based on their first visit, 46% visit the new church at least four times before deciding to attend that church regularly
Q.9 How many times did you visit your current church (attend a worship service) before deciding to regularly attend? Base: All (n= 632)
Number of visits to new church before deciding to regularly attend
Once 16%
Two or three 38%Four or five 23%
More than five 23%
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Church switchers experience upon visiting current church
4%
4%
5%
18%
26%
28%
49%
62%
67%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
None of the above
Not formally welcomed; encouraged to introduce self
Other
Formally recognized during the service
Invited to attend social events outside of service
Contacted by a welcoming team outside of service
Personally welcomed by Pastor/Ministers
Asked to fill out an information card
Personally welcomed by congregants
Two thirds of church switchers were personally welcomed by other attendees upon visiting their current church and filling out an information card was the most popular “process” for welcoming/recognizing visitors• Regardless of the church’s method, only 2% say their current church’s method of
welcoming them negatively impacted their decision to attend there
Q.10a When you were a visitor at your current church, what approach did the church take in welcoming you? Q.10b How did this approach to welcoming visitors impact your decision to start regularly attending the church?Base: All (n= 632)
Positively impacted church choice
82%
75%
84%
82%
83%
80%
Did NOT impactchurch choice
63%
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Between Churches
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Incidence of an attendance gap between churches
28%
72%
"Between churches" for morethan 3 months
No lengthly gap betweenchurches
A quarter of the adults who switch churches stop attending church altogether for more than 3 months – 20% stop attending for at least a year
Q.2 Did you stop attending church for more than three months in between attending your previous church and your current church?Base: All (n= 632) Q.3 How long did you go without attending church? Base: Q2 = “Yes” (n= 174)
Length of gap in attendance
2%
5%
5%
8%
8%
> 3 months but less than 1 year
1 to 2 years
> 2 years - 5 years
> 5 years - 20 years
> 20 years
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Lengthy time between churches is a result of a difficult search or contentment without a church
Q19. In your own words, please describe your most recent experience of switching churches.
– Woman who stopped attending for 7 years: “When I realized the previous church wasn’t giving me the spiritual experience I needed and my children were rebelling about going, it became easy to find a reason not to go and we got out of the habit. Through the years, we visited other churches but never found one which made us feel comfortable.”
– 8 month search in Utah: “I moved across the country to a place where the majority of people are not my faith and the faith that dominates is not the doctrine that I believe. It took me almost a year to find a church that I felt comfortable in and that matched my beliefs.”
– Woman with 2 year attendance gap: “There was a gap so it doesn’t seem like I ‘switched.’ I didn’t like my past church and so I left. I didn’t become a true Christian until I became a regular attender at my current church.”
– Woman with long hiatus: “After not attending church for about 10 years, I knew I needed/wanted to become a member of a church again. I did not feel a desire/need to return to our previous church.”
– Man without church home for 5 years: “I was not happy with the past several of my experiences with churches. In my younger days I was extremely involved in the Christian church and became disappointed in the way a Minister was treated. After several years of trying new and various churches and even joining some, I recently found myself and am extremely happy in my new church!”
– Woman with 3 year search: “We spent many years visiting different churches but could not find what we were looking for. My former pastor was an excellent preacher, and to this day we cannot find one like him. We attend our current church even though it doesn’t fill our needs, but we ‘settled’ for less because we were tired of looking.”
– Woman without a church for 16 years: “I did not have a church for a number of years. My previous church closed its doors due to lack of members. After a crisis in my life, I felt the need to attend church and find a home in Christ.”
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Those with a lengthy break between churches rarely are intending to return to their previous church and typically are not actively looking but open to trying a new church
Q.4 During that time, what was your attitude toward returning to church? Base: Q2 = “Yes” (n= 174)
Attitude toward returning during lengthly break from church
Not actively looking but open to trying a
new church 60%
Was actively looking for a
different church 28%
Was planning to return to my
previous church3%
No intention of returning to church
9%
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Influences that prompt the decision to attend church again
1%3%4%5%6%
8%8%
10%11%
16%16%
18%19%
24%32%
41%51%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
None of the aboveA class/group study that I wanted to attend at church
Saw or heard an ad for the church Pastor personally invited me
My children asked me to go with themI needed a church for a significant life event
Church was involved in social issues of interest to meSaw a clear statement of what the church believes
Saw someone’s life positively being changed by the church Other
Time for my children to start attending church regularlyAn adult family member invited me/wanted me to go
I had a crisis in my life I knew there were people like me there
Friend/acquaintance invited me/wanted me to go with themFelt that God was calling me to go back to church
Simply felt that it was time to return to church
Feeling that it was time to return or that God was calling them back are the influences that most prompt church switchers to attend church again after leaving their previous church and not looking for a new church
Q.5 Which of the following influences prompted your decision to attend church again? Base: Q4 = “Not looking” or “No intention to return” (n= 120)
• Only 14% indicated one of the three “feeling” options without another prompt
• Invitations of all kinds prompted 51% to attend church again
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The majority of those between churches for a long time are motivated to return to church to get closer to God, to fill a gap they felt since leaving their previous church, and to be around those with similar values
Q.6 Which of the following motivations affected your decision to start attending church again? Base: Q4 = “Not looking” or “No intention to return” (n= 120)
Motivations that affect the decision to attend church again
1%7%7%8%
13%13%14%
16%19%
23%24%
28%30%
35%42%
52%63%
68%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
None of the aboveOther
To find certaintyTo find someone who cares
To find happinessTo help straighten out my life
To find relief To provide guidance on moral issues
To find answers to life questionsTo make a difference and help others
To help me find religious meaningTo instill religious values in my children
To show God that I love himTo make friends
To be more obedient to GodTo be around those with similar values
To fill a gap that I had felt since stopping regular church attendanceTo bring me closer to God
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Comparison of previous and current churches
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Comparison of current and previous church - Non-Movers
8%
5%
16%
6%
15%
7%
6%
4%
4%
4%
6%
6%
5%
4%
5%
7%
41%
34%
30%
30%
32%
33%
32%
32%
30%
28%
26%
27%
26%
23%
22%
20%
28%
36%
26%
35%
23%
27%
29%
28%
29%
31%
30%
28%
28%
31%
29%
28%
23%
25%
28%
28%
30%
33%
33%
36%
37%
37%
38%
39%
42%
42%
44%
45%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Worship services are convenient for me to attend
There is unity among members at my church
I have developed deep relationships with my fellow church members
My church does things with excellence
I am actively involved
My church provides me with opportunities to use my talents to serve
I don’t want to miss services
I agree with the teachings/beliefs/doctrine
My church cares for the community in tangible ways
I see God at work in people’s lives at my church
I find it easy to worship because of the style/elements of services
My church is welcoming/friendly
My church fosters spiritual growth/maturity
The church members and pastor seem authentic/real/down-to-earth
The preaching is relevant to my life
The sermons are consistently engaging/enlightening
Less than previous church Same as previous church More than previous church Much more than previous church
Adults who switch churches for reasons other than a residential move, have a much higher likelihood of saying their current church meets their needs better than their previous church
Q.15a Compared to your previous church, how well does your current church meet your needs in each of the following areas? Using a scale of 1 – 5, where “1” means “Much LESS than my previous church” and “5” means “Much MORE than my previous church,” please select one answer for each attribute. Base: Non-Movers (n= 415) Note: Percentages for each attribute may not total 100% due to rounding.
Involvement and Relationships are occasionally exceptions
73% attend a church with better authenticity and engaging and relevant sermons than previously
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Comparison of current and previous church - Movers
4%
7%
5%
6%
9%
4%
7%
6%
4%
5%
18%
9%
16%
6%
10%
6%
57%
45%
58%
52%
47%
51%
46%
45%
47%
47%
39%
46%
35%
47%
35%
40%
26%
32%
20%
26%
27%
28%
30%
32%
32%
31%
23%
26%
27%
26%
30%
29%
13%
16%
17%
17%
18%
17%
17%
17%
18%
18%
20%
19%
22%
22%
24%
24%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
There is unity among members at my church
I find it easy to worship because of the style/elements of services
I agree with the teachings/beliefs/doctrine
Worship services are convenient for me to attend
My church provides me with opportunities to use my talents to serve
I see God at work in people’s lives at my church
My church does things with excellence
My church fosters spiritual growth/maturity
The church members and pastor seem authentic/real/down-to-earth
My church cares for the community in tangible ways
I have developed deep relationships with my fellow church members
I don’t want to miss services
I am actively involved
The preaching is relevant to my life
The sermons are consistently engaging/enlightening
My church is welcoming/friendly
Less than previous church Same as previous church More than previous church Much more than previous church
Whereas almost half of adults whose latest church switch was related to a residential move consider their current church the same as their previous church in meeting their needs
Q.15a Compared to your previous church, how well does your current church meet your needs in each of the following areas? Using a scale of 1 – 5, where “1” means “Much LESS than my previous church” and “5” means “Much MORE than my previous church,” please select one answer for each attribute. Base: Movers (n= 217) Note: Percentages for each attribute may not total 100% due to rounding.
A majority do see their current church as an improvement in having welcoming and authentic people and relevant enlightening sermons
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Adults who switch churches for reasons other than a residential move are more likely to switch to a church with a more contemporary worship style
Q.12b Which of the following best describes the style of Worship Service at your previous/current churches?Base: Movers (n= 217) Non-Movers (n=415)
• Adults who switch churches related to a residential move choose a church with a similar worship style to their previous church; a few move away from traditional
• Non-Movers are more likely to be in a church with contemporary worship than traditional after switching churches
Contemporary Traditional A Mix of Contemporary and Traditional Styles
Worship styles of current and previous church - Movers
17%
15%
41%
50%
41%
35%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Current Church
Previous Church
Worship styles of current and previous church - Non-Movers
33%
24%
29%
53%
38%
22%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
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Percentage of church switchers who switch to a church in a different size category - Non-Movers
29%
25%
46%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Three-fourths of Non-Movers who switch churches find a different size church than they previously attended
Q.21 What is the total number of people who typically attend your previous/current churches’ weekend worship services? Base: Non-Movers (n= 415) Note: Question was categorical, so larger/smaller are defined as a move to a larger or smaller size category
• 17% more adults switch to a larger church than switch to a smaller size church
79% whose previous church is small switch to a larger church
57% whose previous church is large switch to a smaller church
Switched to larger church
Switched to same size church
Switched to smaller church
10% more Non-Movers currently attend a church with more than 500 in attendance than prior to switching churches
Comparison of average worship attendance at current and previous churches - Non-Movers
10%
18% 18%
13%
20%
31%
13%11%
7%
13%
32%
15%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Less than 50 50-100 101-300 301-500 500-1000 More than1000
Previous Church
Current Church
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Percentage of church switchers who switch to a church in a different size category - Movers
31%
26%
42%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Three-fourths of Movers who switch churches find a different size church than they previously attended
Q.21 What is the total number of people who typically attend your previous/current churches’ weekend worship services? Base: Movers (n= 217) Note: Question was categorical, so larger/smaller are defined as a move to a larger or smaller size category
• 11% more adults switch to a larger church than switch to a smaller size church
73% whose previous church is small switch to a larger church
72% whose previous church is large switch to a smaller church
Switched to larger church
Switched to same size church
Switched to smaller church
7% more adults currently attend a church with more than 500 in attendance than prior to switching churches
Comparison of average worship attendance at current and previous churches - Movers
7%
17% 18%
13% 14%12%
8%
38%
14%
37%
18%
4%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Less than 50 50-100 101-300 301-500 500-1000 More than1000
Previous Church
Current Church
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More Non-Movers than Movers change denominations when they switch churches
• The percentage of Non-Movers who stay with the same denomination (46%) is similar to the 44% of non-movers who considered denomination important in choosing their current church
• 60% of Movers considered denomination important in choosing their current church
Q.11a Is your current church of a different denomination than your previous church?Base: Movers (n=217) Non-Movers (n=415)
Denomination of current and previous church - Movers
34%
66%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
ChangedDenominations
Same Denomination
Denomination of current and previous church - Non-Movers
54%
46%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
ChangedDenominations
Same Denomination
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Among Non-Movers, twice as many find their current church’s preaching relevant, interesting, and challenging compared to their previous church
Q.15b Which of the following best describe the preaching at your previous/current churches? Base: Non-Movers (n= 415)
• Non-Movers have lower opinions of all aspects of the preaching at their previous church than Movers
• Non-Movers are more likely than movers to have learned something they didn’t already know from the preaching at their current church
Comparison of preaching at current and previous church - Non-Movers
61%
73%
78%
86%
90%
91%
91%
51%
55%
40%
39%
54%
37%
44%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Focused/Focuses on a specific text (verse-by-verse)
Focused/Focuses on a specific topic
Taught/Teaches me something I didn’t already know
Challenged/Challenges me to live and think as Scriptureteaches
Was/Is clear and understandable
Interested/Interests me enough to hold my attention
Was/Is relevant to my life
Previous Church
Current Church
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Whereas the majority of Movers are complementary of the preaching at their previous church
Q.15b Which of the following best describe the preaching at your previous/current churches? Base: Movers (n= 217)
• Yet 10%-15% indicate the preaching at their current church has positive characteristics that were lacking at their previous church
• The largest improvement, experienced by 21% of movers, is the preaching now interests them enough to hold their attention
Comparison of preaching at current and previous church - Movers
53%
70%
72%
82%
87%
87%
88%
52%
57%
59%
65%
66%
73%
71%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Focused/Focuses on a specific text (verse-by-verse)
Taught/Teaches me something I didn’t already know
Focused/Focuses on a specific topic
Challenged/Challenges me to live and think as Scriptureteaches
Interested/Interests me enough to hold my attention
Was/Is clear and understandable
Was/Is relevant to my life
Previous Church
Current Church
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Non-Movers are at least as involved in their current church as they were in their previous church
Q.17 In what ways were you/are you involved in your previous/current churches? Base: Non-Movers (n= 415)
• Almost all church switchers attend worship and most contribute financially and volunteer
• Over half attend a small group or have regular church responsibilities
• Comparing their current and previous church, more Non-Movers are now consistent financial supporters (84% vs. 69%) and more are volunteering (64% vs. 51%)
Comparison of church switcher involvement in current and previous churches - Non-Movers
3%
21%
38%
52%
60%
64%
84%
97%
3%
20%
35%
44%
53%
51%
69%
92%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Other
Served/Serve on church council or board
Held/Hold a leadership position
Held/Hold a non-leader position with regular responsibility
Attended/Attend a small group, Sunday School or discipleship class
Volunteered/Volunteer when individual opportunities arose
Was/Am a consistent financial supporter of the church
Attended/Attend worship services
Previous Church
Current Church
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Movers are also involved in their current church as much as they were in their previous church
Q.17 In what ways were you/are you involved in your previous/current churches? Base: Movers (n= 217)
• Almost all church switchers attend worship and most contribute financially and volunteer
• Over half attend a small group or have regular church responsibilities
• Compared to their previous church, more Movers are now volunteering (69% vs. 51%)
• At their previous church, more Movers than Non-Movers consistent gave financially (76% vs. 69%)
Comparison of church switcher involvement in current and previous churches - Movers
2%
26%
36%
51%
56%
69%
83%
97%
2%
23%
30%
46%
54%
51%
76%
95%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Other
Served/Serve on church council or board
Held/Hold a leadership position
Held/Hold a non-leader position with regular responsibility
Attended/Attend a small group, Sunday School or discipleship class
Volunteered/Volunteer when individual opportunities arose
Was/Am a consistent financial supporter of the church
Attended/Attend worship services
Previous Church
Current Church
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Similarly, a few more church switchers have joined their current church than became members of their previous church
Q.18a Did you formally join/become a member of your current/previous churches? Base: All (n= 632) No statistically significant difference between Movers and Non-Movers
83% of those who were members of their previous church are also members at their current church
Comparison of church switcher membership at current and previous churches
75%
71%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Current Church
Previous Church
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Beliefs about God and outlook on future attendance
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76% of adult church switchers who currently attend regularly consider themselves devout Christians – more than three times the number of formerly churched adults who describe their current beliefs in this way
Q.16 Which of the following statements best describes your current beliefs about God? Base: All (n= 632) Base Formerly Churched: Q 9 All (n=469) Note: Totals may not equal 100% due to rounding.
Current beliefs about God
1%
5%
10%
24%
42%
19%
0%
1%
2%
3%
19%
76%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
I don’t believe in God or in any higher being
I am uncertain about my belief in God
I believe in God, but am uncertain of Christianity
I consider myself spiritual, but not religious
I consider myself a Christian, but not particularly devout
I consider myself a devout Christian with a strong faith in God
Church switchers
Formerly churched
• 19% of church switchers consider themselves Christian, but not particularly devout
• Only 5% of church switchers are doubtful about Christianity, religion, or God
• By comparison, 39% of adults who have left the church without returning consider themselves doubtful about Christianity, religion, or God
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The majority of church switchers have settled into their current church, but almost one out of five are open to switching churches in the future
Q.20 Which of the following reflects your plans to continue attending church in the future?Base: All (n= 632) No statistically significant difference between Movers and Non-Movers
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Implications for church leaders:
Learning from why church switchers leave• Let church switchers’ desire for more spiritual development fuel your desire to disciple
every member by exhibiting leadership, passion, determination, and implementing an intentional discipleship process in both the pulpit and other equipping strategies
• Involve regular attendees in meaningful work in your church by eliminating programs, events, and roles that are not a meaningful part of your church’s purpose and by implementing a process that matches people to essential ministries
• Approach change by basing it on clear biblical rationale, obtaining solid buy-in from key leaders, and educating and communicating consistently throughout the process
• Model a godly, wise, humble, and authentic attitude that sets a healthy tone for a genuine, welcoming and friendly environment
Learning from where church switchers go• Make the doctrines and beliefs of your church accessible by regularly addressing them
from the pulpit, making them available to visitors, and including them as part of a new member orientation process
• Challenge people to live and think as Scripture teaches by ensuring that the core of all teaching content in your church is doctrinally sound Scriptural truth that is not watered down
• Invest in the pastor’s preaching to allow the Scriptural truth to be conveyed in a relevant, clear, understandable, and interesting way (e.g., time for preparation, money for skill development, and resources for presentation)
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• Copyright © 2007 LifeWay Research
All rights reserved.