Most of the time a very active church member will drop out rather suddenly. But, on a few occasions, they just gradually withdraw from involvement in the church. These dropouts had trouble articulating to me why they left, or why they slowly withdrew from involvement.

Perhaps the image many of us have of church dropouts is a person who was only marginally involved at the onset. He or she did not connect with people and ministries in the church, so that person became a dropout – a person who stopped attending church altogether.

But there are a number of persons who have been active in church life for years. They have had key leadership positions. They are considered some of the most faithful members. And then they are gone. Sometimes it’s sudden; on a few occasions it is more gradual.

1. Moral failure. The most common scenario is a sexual affair.

2. Dropping out of a group. The church member stops his or her regular attendance in a small group or Sunday school class.

3. Burnout. The church member is asked to do many things because he or she tackles them with such passion and faithfulness.

4. Traumatic event. A painful loss or some similar pain can cause many church members to lean on fellow Christians even more.

5. Dropping out of a ministry. The church member’s primary point of reference and connection with the church is a particular ministry.

6. Major interpersonal conflict. Marginal church members tend to drop out at the first hint of even minor interpersonal conflict.

7. Gradual withdrawal. Most of the time a very active church member will drop out rather suddenly.

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