Why do people "church hop"?

[LutheranScholar]

It can also go the opposite way too. OVER friendliness can also cause some to leave if people feel they are being put upon. Not everyone wants to be love bombed every time they walk in to worship.

You’re right. Nobody wants to be ignored, but nobody wants to be smothered, either. As far as the financial issue goes in churches, I’ve heard Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists and Presbyterians alike talk about how necessary continuing the flow of income was, " coughing up" the money necessary to see certain projects through, or keeping a private school going. Prayer, family and Bible study was what convinced me that the whole Christian religion wasn’t actually supposed to be a money- making racket.

 

[E_7]

I was raised as a church hopper. It was because we never got involved in the community where we lived, because we went to school and parents worked in a different city , 30 minutes away from home. And we did our grocery shopping in another city, 1 hour away from home. We lived in the mountains in the middle of nowhere.

 

[MichaelP3]

There are many reasons one would move from one church to another:
1: Change in doctrinal stance.
2: Unwanted drama interfering with worship.
3: Friendliness in one church lacking in one’s home church.
4: Distance and convenience sometimes plays a role.
5: Ostracism from one’s home church
6: Unwanted liturgical/ doctrinal changes made in a certain denomination.
7: Excessive requests for money that morph into demands.
8: Excessive relativism that states it matters not where you pray, as long as you pray.

People tend to drift in today’s society and with people enjoying freedom of worship, they are free also to change their place ( and/ or denomination) of worship.

I would say I am sitting in number 4. I won’t call it Church hopping, but I have found myself to be in some strange regions where my choice didn’t matter that much. Through nr 4, I have attended Anglican, Reformed, Charismatic, Mennonite and even Catholic (no I did not partake in communion) and I still feel I gained something every single time. It wasn’t my choice, but I tried !

 

[Marie5890]

Why in your opinion do people “church hop”?

People are seeking a spiritual home, a place where they feel they fit, are welcomed, and appreciated.

 

[po18guy]

Baskin-Robbins theology.

 

[Usige]

Baskin-Robbins theology.

By which I assume you mean, to keep trying things until you find something you like. If that gets old, pull out the pink spoon and sample more options until you feel full or satisfied.

 

[Sy_Noe]

Many good reasons have been provided here.

 

[MooCowSteph]

Define church hopping? Lately, my family has found that we are attending our parish only about half the time, in part because the timing of another parish works well for our family. While I think we need to be aware that Jesus is present at ALL Catholic Masses, it’s also good to remember that some really crave that meaningful preaching, and some really enjoy, for example, cantors who can actually sing on key. I know I would leave my church is a pastor were put in charge who didn’t hold orthodox beliefs and preached heresy or allowed toe liturgy to be corrupted.

 

[Beryllos]

Why in your opinion do people “church hop”?

Searching for the best coffee and donuts at the church social after Mass?

 

[PJM]

I think it is partly due to our pluralistic, entertainment-centered, restless consumer culture. So many flavors of religion, why not try them all? At the same time, I think many people are genuinely searching for truth or an experience of God. Maybe they feel their needs aren’t being met at one place. Maybe they have family or friends in different churches (Does that count as ‘hopping’?). Perhaps they wish to avoid commitment and responsibility. Or perhaps they are like Bono from U2 and “still haven’t found what they’re looking for.”

a VERY thoughtful reply!

Thanks and GBY

 

[PJM]

if you mean “parish hop,” that is, change catholic parishes, could be due to homilies not feeding them, absence of ministries in which to become involved, liturgical distractions that interfere with their worship, music or lack of it, personality of the priest, even aesthetics of the church building itself - which i’ve seen go both ways (church too ornate / old fashioned, or too stark and modern).

thanks!

 

[PJM]

Sometimes, people leave local churches in which they’ve been in for decades due to internal fighting or controversy. They then look for a new church, but do not find any place that feels like the place God wants them, so they keep looking.

Thanks for you’re candor

GBY

 

[PJM]

Before I answer, do you mean Parish Hop within a denomination or actual denomination hopping?

Actually either or, OR both:thumbsup:

 

[PJM]

There are many reasons one would move from one church to another:
1: Change in doctrinal stance.
2: Unwanted drama interfering with worship.
3: Friendliness in one church lacking in one’s home church.
4: Distance and convenience sometimes plays a role.
5: Ostracism from one’s home church
6: Unwanted liturgical/ doctrinal changes made in a certain denomination.
7: Excessive requests for money that morph into demands.
8: Excessive relativism that states it matters not where you pray, as long as you pray.

People tend to drift in today’s society and with people enjoying freedom of worship, they are free also to change their place ( and/ or denomination) of worship.

THANK YOU

Does searing for what logically can only be a singular truth oer defined issue have a role in ths>

GBY

Great list!

 

[PJM]

10% isn’t mandatory according to the Church. It may have been in the OT but not now.

Hmmmmm,

Not sure that is a FULLY correct reply

I think the position os agreed on 10% BUT it does NOT have to ALLbe cash. If one contributes in other ways ministries} too

And I KNOW contribuations to ANY other worthwile organization; like Pro Life and the Missions also count as a part of it.

Thanks and GBY

 

[PJM]

St Paul gave one of the reasons why some might engage in such behavior:
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Thanks:thumbsup:

Great reply

GBY

 

[PJM]

As mentioned by my earlier the answer depends on what you mean by “church hop”. If you’re referring to changing church/parish within a denomination, the reasons can vary. It may be they no longer like the style of preaching/homily at their current church/parish. It could be that there has been a change in the congregation they no longer feel comfortable with. It would be they had an experience at another parish/church that drew them to that one. Could be something as simple as they’ve moved and this new parish is closer. There are more reasons I can think of but suffice it to say there are many reasons someone would parish/church hop.

If you’re referring to denomination/Church hopping, the reasons can overlap, or be quite different. It could be they have had long standing theological/moral differences of opinion with the Church/denomination they’re a member of and they decide they can no longer be a member of a Church they feel is wrong on those theological/moral issues. It could be the denomination changed in some way they object to. It could be they’re no longer convinced the Church/denomination they’re a member of is teaching the truths of Christ. It could be their own understanding of what the truths of Christ are has changed and is no longer compatible with their Church/denomination. It could be that the denomination they’re a member of is not even that important to them (I’ve seen this one personally with a family member) and they simply jump Churches as they move, etc…

FRIEND, I’m not sure exactly how to resond to this, so PLEASE do NOT take my comments personally

But much of what you, I {ME HERE} think you’re sharing revolves around, dare I say “personal likes and dislikes”

I asked the question {I’m the OP}, because it seems to Me {and many Catholics as well} that church worship ought to be Divine Worship, so excepting for theological and Moral errors advocated, what We {each of US} like and does not like seem highly irrelevant:shrug:

God Bless you

 

[PJM]

I was raised as a church hopper. It was because we never got involved in the community where we lived, because we went to school and parents worked in a different city , 30 minutes away from home. And we did our grocery shopping in another city, 1 hour away from home. We lived in the mountains in the middle of nowhere.

Makes sense to me

 

[Monte_RCMS]

10% isn’t mandatory according to the Church. It may have been in the OT but not now.

When the pastor says he needs to buy something specific such as a new boiler, for example, the money is raised within two weeks.

Another time, he explained why he wanted to purchase some new vestments. People were pushing checks into his hand within minutes.

There seems lately to be an acute lack of “accountability”. Meaning that there are no longer bulletin announcements on the amount of the collection.

After a routine rotation of pastors, the new pastor said he would cap spending until the parish debt [many years old] was paid off. He was told it was impossible. Nevertheless, within one year the entire debt was paid off. AND there was so much new money pouring in that he was able to turn the basement from a dump area into a gorgeous suite of meeting rooms with kitchen. AND then he was told by some “bureaucrats” that he would need to install a handicapped elevator. AND the money for that came forward almost immediately.

One pastor had a list of things … getting rid of the old oil tank, etc. I was expecting to receive the list in the mail. Instead as soon as he typed up the list, he had the money and didn’t even need to ask the parish.

Another time, there was an electrical fire and within minutes, there were pre-paid restaurant charge cards delivered to the rectory so the priests could go out to eat.

Another time one of the nuns who did home visits needed a car … after the old one died … and within a day, a new car was delivered.

People respond to financial needs.

Making up blanket demands … YOU MUST TITHE … for example … telling other people what they must do … seems inappropriate … given the way actual needs are being met.

 

[PJM]

I would say I am sitting in number 4. I won’t call it Church hopping, but I have found myself to be in some strange regions where my choice didn’t matter that much. Through nr 4, I have attended Anglican, Reformed, Charismatic, Mennonite and even Catholic (no I did not partake in communion) and I still feel I gained something every single time. It wasn’t my choice, but I tried !

Thank you.

a question if I may

Does TRUTH have to be singuklar per defined issue?

GBY