I believe many left after the plandemic because most churches became just like the government in that faith in God was replaced by being safe from Covid. The Orthodox Jewish community ignored all government restrictions on religious activities during Covid and lost no believers.
And those churches that stayed closed or restricted for months deserve to be left. They put the tyrannical demands of Caesar over the worship of Christ.
There are faithful churches that did not cave or caved only briefly. Leavers should at least check out those.
Yes some churches wouldn’t allow the unvaccinated through their doors. Might it have something to do with the strings attached to the $ they received for being 💉centres, or having daycares, or building projects…Yes, fear had a huge role! Fear of God? Not so much.
I read The Bait of Satan by John Bevere 💯 -has an in-depth chapter about leaving a church. Have you read it?
I think you nailed it, in prime part, by noting that many of the people leaving had lukewarm upbringings in the faith; severely restrictive, authoritarian parenting with Christian flavoring and overtone does the same. I've noted in clients and friends who left that they also have an element of dysfunction or absent fathers (emotionally, mentally, spiritually) that hurts the carrying of faith forward.
I'd recommend "Faith of the Fatherless" by Paul Vitz as an interesting read to expand more on that topic/point.
I believe many left after the plandemic because most churches became just like the government in that faith in God was replaced by being safe from Covid. The Orthodox Jewish community ignored all government restrictions on religious activities during Covid and lost no believers.
And those churches that stayed closed or restricted for months deserve to be left. They put the tyrannical demands of Caesar over the worship of Christ.
There are faithful churches that did not cave or caved only briefly. Leavers should at least check out those.
Yes some churches wouldn’t allow the unvaccinated through their doors. Might it have something to do with the strings attached to the $ they received for being 💉centres, or having daycares, or building projects…Yes, fear had a huge role! Fear of God? Not so much.
I read The Bait of Satan by John Bevere 💯 -has an in-depth chapter about leaving a church. Have you read it?
No, I haven't. First time I've heard of the man to be honest.
I think it’s a 90s evangelical church classic but soooo important -all about forgiving. Recommend.
I think you nailed it, in prime part, by noting that many of the people leaving had lukewarm upbringings in the faith; severely restrictive, authoritarian parenting with Christian flavoring and overtone does the same. I've noted in clients and friends who left that they also have an element of dysfunction or absent fathers (emotionally, mentally, spiritually) that hurts the carrying of faith forward.
I'd recommend "Faith of the Fatherless" by Paul Vitz as an interesting read to expand more on that topic/point.