Sadly, the issue here is the body of the church. I attended and tithed for years. It is very clicky. I found the pastor's to genuine love God, but when I saw new age practices approved and coming into church: yoga, enneagram..and no one was concerned with this I knew it was time to leave.
This is a lukewarm congregation but there are veins that are good- like the prayer ministry. If you have a true emergency though, you're pretty much on your own as it takes weeks for them to respond via email- if they respond at all. I think it's a good example of why people leave church. There was no call to share the gospel. If I mentioned that people looked horrified, but it's a call for those who love God to share that love with others. It was very hard as a single person to make friends. I tried, I'm not shy, was very present. It ultimately felt very feigned, like everyone was playing a role. I know no church is perfect, but something is misaligned with what leadership says they want ( a church open to all) and what it is (a church open to...some). I find more of God in the homeless people I talk to in my daily life then there. There was a lack of rawness, love, and truth. I think everyone was too cushy and comfortable..
No one noticed when I left which I also found interesting considering I was at every sunday, every prayer meeting, every home group meeting. I didn't mean to leave, but I began double attending another church where I was welcome and they are on fire for Christ, sharing the gospel, and wise to new age practices. The transition was natural. This was my first experience with a true disappointment in church, and I understand now why people don't attend church. I didn't go there to receive, but to worship. However, why would you go to a church that makes you feel more lonely? Or isn't giving anything communally. It just becomes a burden. *shrug* Wish them the best but, it's unfortunate.
I think this is what happens when you are led by people raised in the church in peaceful yet privileged lives. They cannot relate to those who have experienced deeper cuts- which is most of the people who need salvation. We no longer live in the time where we can afford to hinge on polite mannerisms and church games. Cut down to the root of it and get real. People need the love of God and it is an urgent matter. read more