Why Don't People Go To Church?

When we look around our sanctuaries on a Sunday morning, we often notice empty seats where friends and neighbors used to sit. It is natural to wonder why so many people choose to step away from the church. For some, the answer lies in deep, unhealed wounds. They have experienced harsh judgment in places where they expected unconditional love, leaving their spirits bruised and entirely unwelcome. Others simply feel overwhelmed by the frantic pace of life, viewing Sunday as their only chance to finally catch their breath. Still, others struggle with feeling completely disconnected, believing they do not quite fit into the community. It is easy to respond to their absence with quiet criticism, but Jesus asks us to respond with profound empathy.