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What Should We Do About People Who Fall Away From Church?

Have you ever seen a person, or family, come forward, make a public confession, be baptized into Christ, and be received by the church, only to disappear after a few months?

Could these be some of the folks that Jesus talks about in His parable of the sower in Matthew 13?

Matthew 13:20-22,"(20) But he that receiveth the seed into stoney places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; (21) Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. (22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulnessof riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."

I find it interesting in John, Chapter 6, Jesus talking about eating His Body and drinking His Blood (Holy Communion), but some did not have a clue what He was talking about. John 6:66,"From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him."

Notice that Jesus did not run after them and try to coax them back into His ranks. Evidently, He just let them go if they couldn`t come to grips with His Way.

Also, when the so-called prodical son wanted to leave his father, his father helped him go.

So my discussion is: What, When, and How Much, should a church do about those members who seem to fall away for no apparent reason??

Grace and Peace.

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on January 7, 2011 at 5:42pm

Richard,

Yes, the parable of the sower comes into play.

Also we cannot force anyone. They have the freedom to walk away from the church, though it is the wrong decision. The church should reach out in love, pray for them and keep the door open for their return. Often times the struggle occurs when the church is used of God to reach souls, but then there is no follow-up. People need to be discipled. Baby Christians do not just mature, they need guidance and support. This is one of the churches commissions as seen in Matthew 28:19-20.

Lord Bless,

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Permalink Reply by Pastor Bob B on January 8, 2011 at 5:47pm

LT you make a good point; Baby Christians do not just mature, they need guidance and support. We can not expect new Christians to grow up spiritually if we do not do our part which is make disciples, not just converts.

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Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on January 8, 2011 at 5:40am

I think that the first question that is asked is why did you leave? They might have had a good reason to stop attending church.

They might have found a better (for them) church. If that is the reason, the church needs to ask itself, "What are we not providing that this person is receiving elsewhere?" Or, "what have I taught or preached that the person might have not understood or taken offense of?" Sometime the preacher will speak something that hit some of the congregation the wrong way, without explaining it well enough.

What I am trying to say is that maybe the church is in error.

Then comes the parable of the Sower.

The main thing is if one is willing to teach, one should be able to explain where all can understand.

So, my response is that we, the church, need to ask questions!

In our church, there was a guy attending very faithfully for a number of weeks. All of a sudden he stopped coming. Everyone is wondering where he went but as far as I know, no one has bothered to try to communicate with him in any way to find out what the problem is. We, as a church, have a responsibility to the members of that church. Ask questions! Find out what happened!

Blessings,

Rita

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Permalink Reply by Carla on January 8, 2011 at 4:29pm

Hi Richard,

This is an excellent question. I have recently come into contact with a person who has told me that he fell away from the church..but he was a Christian for 4 years. I hope to have some answers and receive wisdom as to how to respond to him. I have just met this person...he is virtually a stranger to me. I appreciate the input already given here.. on how a church is to deal with this situation...but what about when you don't know the person and they have confided that after several years they walked away. He said he walked away because when he was praying he felt like he was talking to himself...he said this went on for one year. Please lift him up to our Lord...his name is Richard. I shared with him the parable of the sower..and other scriptures.

These testimonies are harmful to the church...we can't sit by and do nothing.

Blessings, Carla

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Permalink Reply by Carla on January 9, 2011 at 8:21am

Hi Chris,

This makes sense.. An important question to ask would be something like "have you to yourself to live for the Lord?' Afterall, this is all about Jesus. ...not to jump to any conclusions...but it is possible that the person who falls away has tried to make their prayer life and the Christian life all about themselves rather then about God. Great input beloved...

Blessings, Carla

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Permalink Reply by Amreeta Samaroo on January 9, 2011 at 10:02am

The story of the Prodigal Son is true. His father did help him go. But also I think the father had in his heart that his son would one day return to him. The prodigal son wanted to be on his own, to experience life outside of his father's house. Thus, I think when people fall away, they just want to experience life outside. Some of them realise sooner than others that there is nothing out there for them. Feelings of guilt and remorse etc sets in. We have to always be mindful of them in prayer and also ready to encourage and remind them that our Heavenly Father is waiting for them with His arms of love wide open.

What Should We Do About People Who Fall Away From Church?

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