Why would they Leave

1)   Why would people leave "The Church?"

·         Headlines tell us thousands leave church fellowship yearly.

·         Hundreds of churches close annually.

·         Hundreds Pastors leave ministry every year.

·         The problem gets worse every year.

·         Do people no longer believe in God or just don't believe in "church"?

·         1Jn 2:19 - 1Jn 2:20 (KJVS)

They went G1831 out from us, but they were not of us; for if G1487 they had been G2258 of us, they would no doubt G639 have continued G3306 with us: but they went out, that they might be made G5319 manifest G5319 that they were not all G3956 of us. But ye have G2192 an unction G5545 from the Holy G40 One, and ye know G1492 all G3956 things.

·         1Jn 2:19 - 1Jn 2:21 (NLTSE)

These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.

2) What did Nehemiah do?

·         He Cast the VISION:

·         He saw the end product at the beginning and started working toward it. (Neh. 2:1-8)

·         He went out alone to assess the damages to the wall and "count the cost" for repair. (Ne. 2:12-16)

·         He told his story-He walked them through the process he had been through that God had lead him through to get him where he was. (Ne.2:18-20)

·         He  Motivated them by letting them stirring their hearts to action and letting them see the plan.

·         When we tell our stories they "move" people.

·         People relate to people and their stories.

·         He was Practical-he set them to work in front of their own houses.

·         Relate to people where they are.

·         People in our neighborhood stay close to home.

3) What can we do?

·         Are we to blame? (We ="The Church" as a whole).

·         Have we made "church" to an organization or an organism? (What’s the difference?)

·         Is it truly "The Body of Christ" or a "Club".

·         Is the church something to belong to or to operate as the body of Christ?

·         How can our church be different?

·         How can people "see" Jesus through us?

·         How can people "experience" Jesus by being a part of this church?