Have you ever wondered why some people don’t like going to church to worship their Maker who made it possible for them to see a new day? Well, the answers are numerous.
However, some people were actually attending but along the line, they stopped or backslided according to what is called in the pentecostal setting. After carrying out research, we discovered the following:
*Closing time
Truly, some churches don’t close on time. Some spend many hours for their services according to some of the people we interviewed. For instance, when we asked Bridget why she doesn’t like going to church, she simply asked, “When do they close?” She said she preferred a church where they close on time, within one hour or at most, one hour 30 minutes.
Our correspondent attended some churches and discovered that some actually spent more than two hours, one of the churches visited, spent four hours for their service. There is actually nothing wrong in being in God’s presence (church) for the whole day but a situation whereby the seat provided is wooden or plastic and where they have other types of chairs and they don’t have enough foam on it, of course, it will generate pains on people’s buttocks.
Even King David in the Bible who said, “I was glad when they said, let us go to the House of the Lord,” did not spent all days. He actually praises God all the time and prayed to God seven times a day, three times during the day and four times at night probably maybe one hour for each service. Psalm 119:164.
Also, when you are asked to stand and sit repeatedly, of course it will definitely make people get tired. Secondly, some people have just Sunday as their free day off work.
For Angela, she works from Monday to Saturday. She said she goes to church but some Sundays, she doesn’t especially on Sundays that she knows that they have special programmes when they spend more hours before closing. She said she only has Sunday to wash her clothes and rest but if she goes for those special Sundays services, she won’t be able to wash, and even if she does, they won’t get dried and she might also not have time to rest well before work begins on Monday.
*Numerous offerings
Another reason we gathered that makes people stay away from church is the numerous offerings taken in some churches. Unlike most churches, some collect more than one offerings using all kinds of names – worship offering, testimony, project, prophet, thanksgiving, just to mention a few.
Some people don’t have more than one offering and when they notice that everybody is going out to give, they might feel embarrassed hence they won’t want to attend service when they don’t have more than one offering to avoid embarrassment.
*Using people to preach
This is becoming a trend among some Pastors especially against people they caught in the act or in an ungodly environments. A pastor once used my friend to preach, thinking that the guy doesn’t want to work, it was after doing the damage that he called and asked the guy, only to discover that the guy actually is hardworking but looking for work.
People have reasons for any action taken either ignorantly or intentionally, only a few don’t know why they take some decisions or actions probably due to hard drugs or alcohol they consumed. The fact that you are holding a microphone and respected as a servant of God, doesn’t give you the audacity to talk down on people. Some of their messages are condemnable and can make an unbeliever not to attend church again. And what that means is that the person will miss heaven because of a pastor who is supposed to be the shepherd on earth on behalf of Jesus Christ.
The funniest thing is that if the unbeliever is a wealthy man, some pastors will not preach about him but if it is the other way round for a “nonentity,” of course he would use be used as a talking point.
A young man who was a chain-smoker attended church and on that fateful day, surrendered his life to Christ. The following day, the young man was tempted to smoke again because he was still fresh in the faith. While smoking, his Pastor saw him and instead of condemning him, he encouraged him and pray with him. That action made the young man to stop smoking without any encouragement from anybody and today, he is waxing strong in the Lord.
God directs us to treat everybody equally. He said we must be righteous, merciful, and fair. Good leaders observe the strengths of those they oversee and encourage them to work towards God’s plan.
Jesus during his earthly ministry, did not condemn sinners like prostitutes, armed robbers, rather he charged them to come and lay down their heavy laden. Jesus only criticized the pharisees and sadducees because they were leaders who know the Bible but want to turn it upside down.
*Not meeting members’ needs
Some people belong to some organisations because of what they tend to benefit now or in future and the church is not an exception. Many people get lured to church because they see it as an avenue to get assistance but get disappointed when the things they visualised are not gotten and in some cases, some people were promised some things but were not given.
*Pastors don’t practice what they preach
It has been discovered that some men of God don’t practice what they preach. Some of them indulge in so many negative acts like adultery, lying, bribery, etc but they will preach that members should not indulge in sins in order not to miss heaven.
Favouritism/tribalism
This is raring its ugly head in the church too. Gone are the days when real born again Christians called S.U were serving God but today, everything has been compromised. Today, people use sentiment to judge matters. Once you belong to a click in Church, of course the matter will be in your favour.
There is a saying that, “When a king rules with fairness and justice, his kingdom will flourish. If the same king accepts gifts or bribes, his kingdom will fall.”
We’ve observed some persons in leadership positions acting wrongfully in favour of their tribal persons. These corrupt actions lead to their demise. Scripture advises leaders to maintain justice with fair decision-making. As leaders, we must reflect on the mercy and grace God shows us and lead others in the same fashion. In those days, people consult God before taking decisions especially in the church but today, they operate in the power of the flesh.
*Protocol to see men of God
Some people especially those who are young in the faith or church might pick offence if they are told to go through protocol to see men of God. Some, after going through rigorous steps, get frustrated and discouraged and that can force them to stop going to church. He or she doesn’t want to know if the man of God was busy.
*Boring environment
Bible says, “In His presence, there is fullness of joy…,” but some churches style of service might just be too boring for some people and that can discourage them from coming to church again. A lively church will definitely attract gathering especially those who are used to the way of life outside before coming to church.
*Distance/Proximity
Proximity or what some people call distance. Is another factor.If the church is a little far from worshippers, that might be an excuse for anyone not to come to church. They will give excuses like – they don’t have money for transportation. Some prefer the church they attend to be in front of their house, so that from time to time, they can rush home and do something and return or just stroll in when church is about closing.
*Lack of understanding
Some people will ask you what would they go to church to do? Sing and clap hands and pray? They will tell you that they can pray at home instead of going to church. Of course, it goes beyond that because Bible said, “Do not forsake the gathering of my people. The Holy Book also says, “Where two or three are gathered, He is there in their midst.”
*New wears to show off
Lastly, which is the main reasons why many don’t go to church is that some people see church as a place to show off their new clothes, shoes and others because of the multitude of people that gather every Sunday. Some look for the latest and acquire theirs hence they don’t get blessed spiritually. The people that do such things are mostly people who are managing to make ends meet but living a fake life.
Well, the write up is not to discourage anybody from going to church but rather to encourage us. The Holy Book says, “Do not forsake the assembly of my people.” The only way we can grow is by attending church. That is where we can meet with people, support each other and grow spiritually. The leaders of our churches should also adjust and live like Jesus, teach and preach like Jesus Christ. They should consult God always before doing things or taking decisions and don’t allow sentiment to come in between. Many people have missed it, left church angrily and today, they have backslided. Let’s not allow the blood of those ones be in our hands, you are the shepherd God left on earth, try and carry all the sheep along even if it means sacrificing everything like Jesus did. Hallelujah!
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