One way Satan will try to discourage your ministry is by convincing you that if people are leaving your church, you’ve done something wrong. Too many pastors feel like they’re a failure when they see people leave.
It’s simply not true. Numbers matter. I’ve written many times that numbers matter because they represent people—and people matter to God.
But people leave your church for a variety of reasons — most of which have nothing to do with you as a pastor. For example, here are seven of the biggest reasons people leave.
Illness
No matter how large or small your church is, you’ll certainly have people from time to time who can’t attend because of illness. Of course, that’s not your fault—and it’s not their fault either. No one is immune from illness.
The Bible reminds us that the church should have an active ministry to those who can’t make it to worship because of illness (Matthew 25:36). But even if you’re ministering to people who can’t be there because of illness, your attendance will still drop, which can be disheartening.
Job transfers
In biblical times, people rarely moved. Most people were born, lived, and died within a few miles of their homes. In today’s mobile society, people move often. According to the most recent U.S. Census information, about 1 in 7 people move every year. That means, theoretically, you could have a completely new church every seven years!
People move for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes they get new jobs; other times they’re looking to change neighborhoods or get nearer to families. But it’s not likely they are moving because of you or your church.
Fear of accountability
Some people leave our churches because they don’t want others to know them well enough to keep them accountable. They hop from church to church, particularly hiding in larger churches where they can slip in and out each week. The moment someone challenges them to get into a small group where they will need to let others into their lives, they leave.
But that’s not your fault either. The church is a family. If people don’t want the accountability that comes with church involvement, that’s their choice.
Worldliness
Others leave your church because they’re backsliding. Years ago, I had a guy tell me he was leaving Saddleback because we asked for too much commitment. When you start a building campaign, people will leave your church. They want to be on the ship, but they don’t want to pay for your ship.
Sometimes people leave your church because they love their bank accounts, their sinful lifestyles, and their free time more than they love Jesus. That’s not a reflection of your ministry. It’s a reflection of their relationship with Jesus.
Divisiveness
No church has 100 percent agreement in every area. That’s not realistic. Even Paul and Barnabas disagreed. You can have unity without uniformity.
But some people will grab onto these areas of disagreement and use them to create divisions in the church. Romans 16 warms us to watch out for “those who create divisions.”
Unresolved personal conflict
This is the number one reason people leave the church. People don’t get along with one another, and they didn’t grow up in a family where they learned how to deal with conflict.
Again, the church is a family. Families have disagreements. The easiest thing for people to do when this happens is just to leave. You and I know that will not help. Often, people will go to another church only to discover the other church isn’t perfect either.
Sent out in ministry
Of course, this is the best reason people leave your church. This isn’t a reason to despair. It’s a reason to celebrate! Every church should send people all over the world to spread the gospel.
You’ve likely read this from me before. You should judge your church not by your seating capacity but your sending capacity. You have little control over the other six reasons people will leave your church. But you can— and should—actively organize your church to see this happen more often.
It’s frustrating when people leave your church. Sometimes it hurts—especially when it’s someone you’ve poured into for years. But don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t assume you’ve failed. Look at why the people have left.
This article originally appeared on pastors.com and is reposted here by permission.
