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People leave churches for various reasons. Sometimes they leave a church because they don’t have a sense of belonging there.

By Marissa Postell Sullivan

When was the last time you felt out of place somewhere? Maybe you were dealing with some imposter syndrome. Or you held a different worldview than anyone else in the room. Or you watched a conversation play out around you that left you thinking, “These are not my people.”

There are all kinds of reasons someone might feel out of place in any number of situations, but in general, it’s a feeling we all try to avoid. As pastors, church leaders, and volunteers welcome people into their churches each week, they should be thinking about how they can create an environment where people can find belonging, while still maintaining their convictions.

But people leave churches for various reasons, and sometimes they leave because they feel a sense of belonging. Most churchgoers who leave one church to find another are leaving because of a residential move (60%). But some leave one church and head to another in the same community (40%). Knowing why churchgoers may be leaving their church for another across town will help pastors know how to better serve those in their congregations.

Of the churchgoers who left a church for a reason other than a residential move, most say they changed churches because of changes at the church (29%) or because the church was not fulfilling their needs or reasons for attending (29%). But 1 in 4 simply became disenchanted with the pastor (27%) or church (26%). Others left a congregation because they couldn’t agree with some of its teachings or positions on issues or politics (22%). But 1 in 5 say they left their previous church because they felt out of place there (20%), down from 31% who said the same in 2006.

Of the churchgoers who left a church for a reason other than a residential move, 1 in 5 say they left their previous congregation because they felt out of place (20%).

Out of place

For the 20% who say they felt out of place at their previous church, the top reason was because they had a different view of church or religion than the other members (43%). Many also said their home or family situation was different than most members (30%), they felt out of place in terms of social class or education (28%), or most other members were a different age than them (23%). Few say they left because most other members were of a different ethnicity (6%).

The youngest adult churchgoers, those 18-29, were the most likely to say they left their previous church because they felt out of place there (37%). Hispanic churchgoers (45%) and those with a bachelor’s degree (24%) were also among the most likely to have left their previous church because they felt out of place.

Current church comparisons

Church switchers may or may not end up at a church where they’re surrounded by people who have the same family or home situation, social class, educational status, age range, or ethnicity. Still, many indicate feelings of belonging at their current church.

For example, 57% of churchgoers say the members and pastor at their current church seem more authentic, real, and down-to-earth than at their previous church. And this is especially true among churchgoers whose switch was not accompanied by a residential move (66%).

The youngest adult churchgoers, those 18-29, were the most likely to say they left their previous church because they felt out of place there (37%).

Churchgoers also say their current church is more welcoming and friendly than their previous one (57%). Once again, churchgoers who moved to a church across town are even more likely to say this was the case (65%). Additionally, churchgoers say they agree more with the teachings, beliefs, and doctrines of their current church than of their previous church (52%), with 60% of those who changed churches without a residential move saying the same.

Other churchgoers say they have developed more deep relationships at their current church (52%) and that their current church provides them more opportunities to use their talents to serve than their previous church did (49%).

Identifying gaps

Younger churchgoers are among the most likely to indicate they feel more belonging at their current church than their previous one. Churchgoers ages 18-29 and 30-49 are among the most likely to say they have more deep relationships at their current church than at their previous church (59% and 65%) and that their current church is more welcoming and friendly than their previous one (66% and 68%).

Churchgoers 30-49 are also among the most likely to say the members and pastor at their current church seem more authentic, real, and down-to-earth than those at their previous church (64%) and they agree more with the teachings, beliefs, and doctrine of their current church compared to their previous one (62%). Additionally, churchgoers 30-49 are the most likely to say their current church provides them with more opportunities to use their talents to serve, compared to their previous church (64%).

57% of church switchers say the members and pastor at their current church seem more authentic, real, and down-to-earth than at their previous church.

Furthermore, churchgoers with the highest level of education are among the most likely to express feelings of belonging at their current church. Churchgoers with graduate degrees are among the most likely to say the members and pastor at their current church seem more authentic, real, and down-to-earth than at their previous church (65%), they agree more with the teachings, beliefs, and doctrine of their current church than their previous one (57%), and their current church provides them with more opportunities to use their talents to serve (55%).

One’s denomination can also be an indicator of how likely one is to feel they belong in their current church. Presbyterian/Reformed (61%), Methodist (58%), Baptist (57%), and non-denominational (57%) churchgoers are among the most likely to say that compared to their previous church, the members and pastor at their current church seem more authentic, real, and down-to-earth.

Restorationist movement (61%), Presbyterian/Reformed (59%), Methodist (51%), and Baptist (50%) churchgoers are among the most likely to say they have developed more deep relationships with fellow church members at their current church compared to their previous one. And Restorationist movement (52%) and Methodist (51%) churchgoers are among the most likely to say their current church provides them with more opportunities to use their talents to serve than their previous church did.

Additionally, those with evangelical beliefs are more likely than those without such beliefs to say that compared to their previous church they agree more with the teachings, beliefs, and doctrines of their current church (58% v. 45%) and their current church provides them more opportunities to use their talents to serve (56% v. 40%). Those who attend worship services four or more times a month are also among the most likely to say they agree more with the teachings, beliefs, and doctrine of their current church compared to their previous one (54%).

This article was originally published on LifewayResearch.com and can be found here.