Question of the Day- How to Motivate People to go to Church?
By DB
@dgobucks226 (35621)
October 28, 2022 7:07pm CST
How important is attending church to you? What do you get out of it? Simple questions which may be hard for some to explain so non-church goers can understand.
What do you consider the most important factors in choosing a church? Is it the quality of the sermons, feeling welcome by the church community, location, religious learning for your children, being involved in church activities, or something else? I would think possibly all or some of these are motivating reasons to join a church.
I'm asking, because although I am a believer, I am not a frequent church goer. It's hard for me to provide a feasible answer other than I've never attained that spirituality one gets from hearing a pastor's sermon. I always found the mass to be too long and boring, but that's just me. I am not making any judgements here. I actually find watching a preacher on TV more appealing than attending in person. Possibly because there is less mass ritual involved, and I feel the preacher's message seems more relatable to my life issues.
Anyway, I've read that church attendance has been declining over the years and wondered what the reasons could be? Has Covid played a major role or are there other reasons too. I'm not an authority so perhaps your comments will provide me with some insight.
***Maybe this church photo is one method to get people to return. 
If not, it's definitely clever!
Source Ideas- Church Helper & Reader's Digest
If not, it's definitely clever!
Source Ideas- Church Helper & Reader's Digest9 people like this
10 responses
@LindaOHio (178877)
• United States
29 Oct 22
We aren't church goers. I figure living a good life is more important than the ceremony. Have a good weekend.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471459)
• Switzerland
1 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 Is it so important to go? I have known many good people who never stepped inside a church. I have also known many hypocrites who do everything wrong, but they go to the church all the time to show to the others that they are "good Christians".
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178877)
• United States
1 Nov 22
@LadyDuck I agree 10,000%. Some of the biggest sinners I've ever known go to Church religiously and state that they are good Catholics.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35621)
•
1 Nov 22
Why do you think their reasons are for not wanting to go?
1 person likes this
@scottcoleson (578)
• Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
29 Dec 22
There are many factors that need to be considered when choosing a church. I would say that the ideal church would be one that places an emphasis on teaching theological truths in a way that is able to be practically applied to your life. There has to be an aspect of genuine, authentic fellowship as well. One of the core purposes of the local church is fellowship with other believers. It needs to be a warm, welcoming environment.
I go to church because I believe that it's something that is needed for believers. We need to surround ourselves with other believers to encourage one another, learn from each other and to challenge each other. I'm a firm believer that Christianity is not meant to be lived in isolation.
Church attendance has definitely been declining in recent years, but I do believe that was sped up during COVID. There are many churches that have closed their doors because of it. I have seen it first hand in my area.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35621)
•
31 Dec 22
I think you make some valid points. I particularly like the one about having a welcoming church whose teaching can be practically applied to everyday life. I agree. Covid and the government's response to it contributed to the decline in church attendance. Church should have been considered a priority over establishments like liquor stores for example.
Thanks for your insightful response to my post. 
@ShyBear88 (59347)
• Sterling, Virginia
29 Oct 22
I don’t go church I get nothing out of at all when I go. It’s like someone shoving something down my throat to think one way instead of thinking and question for myself.
Over all I don’t think Church is need to have a faith or a belief in anything it’s a personal choice between each person and what feels right to them.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59347)
• Sterling, Virginia
1 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 no matter what you do or where you go a feeling of god isn’t going to be there. How can you feel something if it’s not there it’s based on yourself and if you believe he is there. You can see air but you know it’s there.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35621)
•
1 Nov 22
I see exactly what you mean! Many who have stopped church going cite those same reasons. When I used to attend church, I really did not feel God's presence there.
I just didn't gain any insights into God or faith being there.
@FourWalls (68102)
• United States
29 Oct 22
I watch sermons online, but I haven’t been to a church service in person in ten years (if not more). Maybe — just maybe — the adage of “the church isn’t a building, it’s the people” has taken hold and people are living their faith everywhere. I’d rather have a person who shows me his/her faith than someone who claims to go to church every time the doors open and acts like the devil.
Just my take on things.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68102)
• United States
1 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 — I think a lot of people are giving up on God because of what people who profess to be His “representatives” are doing. That’s terribly sad.
1 person likes this
@freelancermariagrace (28050)
• Philippines
29 Oct 22
We used to be churchgoers but had to stop going to church because of the pandemic
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35621)
•
1 Nov 22
I do think dedicated parishioners were affected by the pandemic. It took away something they were accustomed to doing. In our country (U.S.) churchgoers were unfairly discriminated against by the government. Churches were closed. Even outdoor services were not allowed while they allowed liquor stores, grocery stores, and restaurant dining outdoors to remain open.
1 person likes this
@freelancermariagrace (28050)
• Philippines
1 Nov 22
@dgobucks226 Likewise. The PH government had to close down the churches. When it comes to restaurants, there were restrictions.
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8767)
• United Kingdom
29 Oct 22
I'm sure there are lots of reasons - some people are less able, some may be having to work during the time they would have attended church, some moving away from the church due to a change in their beliefs, and possibly any number of reasons I've not mentioned.
I don't attend church because it isn't my faith. However, my husband's best friend is a pastor. He has struggled but is beginning to get more people. It seems that a big part of his success is that he is inclusive and will go out of his way for people. He is a good person, hardworking, and active member of the community (I am aware there are those who simply preach but don't lead by example, which is surely off-putting for some).
Our friend, for example, was telling us that recent newcomers to his church had moved from another country so he got some bibles in their language, and he's having all of the readings, etc. translated. If I had any inclination to attend a church, his would be my first choice.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (61161)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Oct 22
"quality of the sermons." I would need far more than sermons. I would want there to be gardens for hungry people and little grass. I'd want folks to really support each other emotionally. Purple, pink, gay etc would be welcomed. I am more of a skeptic than a believer though the bible does have some good things to say.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10034)
• Philippines
1 Nov 22
Hard to motivate people who have lost faith in their religion. Religion has also not kept up with the changing moral values of our time. Instead demanding its believers follow archaic laws and rules. For those believers who don't attend church services, it's either they're too busy, see no need (Matthew 6:6), or are simply lazy.
1 person likes this
