Inoculate Yourself Against Used-To-Go-To-Churchitis

Church attendance trends have been changing in recent years. Less people are going to church on a regular basis and more people have the disease used-to-go-to-churchitis. This is the one public health emergency that few people are looking to resolve.

One of the first signs of this illness (aside from not attending church anymore) is the increased use of the phrase, “I just got out of the habit.” This polite excuse is used to gloss over three substantive issues: The first is some sort of significant change like a relocation or death in the family. The second is a painful disappointment with someone in the church, a leader, or a fellow member. The third is a personal struggle or even a struggle with sin. These are the real reasons that people come down with used-to-go-to-churchitis.

Here are three ways you can protect yourself from this affliction.

• Make an Effort to Grow on Your Own. Every Bible-believing church has an interest in helping its people experience spiritual growth; it’s called discipleship. Spiritual formation is a two-way street that requires input from the church and the believer. If you make an effort to grow on your own, you will create space in your spiritual journey that needs to be filled by the church. In other words, you won’t be able to quit because you will have a well-established and ongoing need for the church’s help.

• Make Jesus the Focus. Most people understand that there are no perfect churches, but there aren’t any perfect church leaders or church ministries either. Far too many people are driven away by a church leader who does something foolish or change that needs to happen in their favorite area of ministry. These things can be avoided if you make your church experience about loving and serving Jesus, instead of loving a particular person or serving in a particular area. 

• Make Friends in the Church. Technology has allowed church attendance to become transactional, but the essence of participating in a local church is inherently relational. The church is people, not a building, and not religious content. Friendships make the church an essential part of your life, and they also make you an essential part of the church.

You can inoculate yourself against used-to-go-to-churchitis if you follow the three strategies listed above. You’ll also keep it from spreading to your friends and family. With a passion for God and His Word, we can stop this disease in its tracks.

Author: jeremycouture

I am a husband, father, student, and pastor in Indianapolis, IN. View all posts by jeremycouture