Why do so many people seem to love God but struggle with church?

Have you ever asked this question,

Why do so many people seem to love God but struggle with the church?

My guess would be, you’ve either asked that question personally at one time or another or knew someone who felt that way. 

For me, I get it.  

I've been around church long enough to feel that way at times. But the truth is…

I really do love the Church! 

I grew up going to church. I went to Bible College where we had to volunteer at a church while we went to school. After college, I worked fulltime at a church. And now, I work with a team that serves a variety of churches. I love the Church!

God has used the church to shape my life. 

It was at church that I first fell in love with God. It was at church I first discovered the joy of serving others. I can honestly say, I don’t know where I would be today if it wasn’t for the Church.

And let’s be honest, as a Church, we have a problem. 

• Every year, more churches are closing down than there are new churches opening.

• Statistics tell us that 60% of the population will never walk inside what you and I call a church.

• After COVID, church attendance has dropped across the board.

This is not good. And it’s getting worse!

More and more people are finding themselves hungry for God but dissatisfied with church.

In my experience, I would say there are at least three reasons why people feel this way.

First, many churches have lost sight of the mission.

- Too many times churches have become hyper focused on themselves and what makes them comfortable, as opposed to, picking up our cross and following Jesus into a world that desperately needs Him!

Secondly, many churches have over-programmed discipleship. 

- Discipleship has become complticated. It doesn't have to be this way. Often, the first impulse is to send people to a program rather than connecting them to community for discipleship. Here's what we know, discipleship will never happen outside of community and relationships. 

And finally, the leaders at the heart of the church have valued image over integrity allowing their moral character to erode. 

- I am tired of hearing stories about leaders falling morally. I am tired of seeing more emphasis put on performance rather than maintaining a personal authentic relationship with Jesus. It’s not right!

The church has a problem and this is why our team exists.

Imagine with me…

what it would be like to be part of a church where the focus was on the mission of making new disciples, 

what would it be like to be in a church where discipleship wasn't a program but a way of life, 

 and what would it be like to be in a church where the emphasis was placed on the integrity of our walk before Jesus and not our image before people. 

Wow, I don't know about you but I would want to go to that church!

I believe in the Church! The Church is God's Bride and He hasn't given up on Her, nor have we!

I am part of NOVO’s Activate(d) team and I am sent as a missionary to local churches to provide ministry coaching and church consulting. 

Our team walks alongside pastors and their churches to provide specialized training so that the church can be effective in making new disciples. The specialized training our team provides addresses those reasons why many struggle with church. 

We are transforming churches and their leaders so that their neighborhoods and communities come to know Jesus!