The Church Things Podcast

In this, the last episode in the series, "Why Some Young Adult Christians Have Left Churches of Christ," Kerry and Becky look at two more reasons respondents gave for leaving: they experienced the church as legalistic and exclusive.  

Here, Becky and Kerry are discussing yet another reason some young adult Christians told them they left Churches of Christ: they felt the church had waded into partisan politics.  In this episode, they discuss Christian nationalism and offer a word of encouragement to those who have left and to the church: don't confuse Christian nationalism with political disagreement; and don't merge what God has not joined.

In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss another reason some young adult Christians have left Churches of Christ: they disagreed with the church's response to the gay and LGBTQ community.  They offer a word to those who have stayed in Churches of Christ and to those who have left.

In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss the number one reason those who responded to a survey gave for leaving the church.  Also, they discuss what church leaders might consider doing in response.

In this episode, Becky and Kerry continue their discussion of why some younger adult Christians left a church: they were wounded by it.  Negative and hurtful experiences are divided into two broad categories, and suggestions are offered to both church leaders and those who were hurt.

Why are some younger adults leaving Churches of Christ?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss four things some said the church did not provide them: more engaging worship, deeper teaching, a culture of openness to fresh study of the scriptures, and the feeling of being valued and heard.  

In this episode, Kerry and Becky explore one of the reasons many young adults told them they eventually left their churches: they felt the church was not providing for some of their needs.  Four of those stated needs are identified in this episode, and four more will be considered in the next episode.

Why are so many 20-30 year-olds leaving Churches of Christ for other churches?  In this episode of The Church Things Podcast, Kerry and Becky, offer one reason: college, careers, and increasingly busy schedules cause people to gradually drift away.  They share a word of encouragement both for those who may have drifted away and for church leaders who care for them.   

Someone recently asked Becky and Kerry this question: Why are so many 20 and 30-year-olds leaving Churches of Christ for other churches?  Others, including those who have left Churches of Christ and those who remain and imagine why some leave, were invited to weigh in on this question.  This episode is a preview of the responses that were submitted.

Some churches schedule and plan Baptism Sundays, special services planned in advance to encourage baptisms.  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss why churches might consider planning such an event, as well as why some might not.