Bringing People Back to the Church

By Brian Hendricks, Chief Executive Officer, Dynamic Developments Training & Leadership

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Have you ever felt like you were missing something that used to be so important to you?

Maybe it was a hobby, a friendship, or even an old job.

Let’s face it: things come up, we get busy, and life happens; we lose touch with things that were once so important to us.

For many of us, that’s how our relationship with the Church feels. Hebrews 10:24-25 gives us a clear reminder of why this matters:

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

These words hit home with me because they remind me that faith isn’t just a me journey—it’s a shared one.

And instead of trying to fix the problem of people leaving the Church, I have found myself complaining that people are leaving. The church is a community, so we must help bring people back, not judge them for leaving.

So, let’s start with why people are leaving.

There are many reasons people walk away from the Church. Some feel judged or unwelcome, for others it's the constant pull of life and kids, and for some, they just stop feeling connected to the messages.

The biggest takeaway is that, for whatever reason, stepping away from church often feels easier than stepping back in, and that’s a problem.

Here is what we need to remember: Church isn’t just about showing up on Sunday to sing a few songs, hear a sermon, and feel good about ourselves. It’s about belonging to a community that lifts each other up.

It’s about finding people who will stand by you when life gets messy and celebrate with you when life is great, all with Christ as our guiding light.

Think about how Jesus acted when he met people who were not part of the Church, he met them where they were at. One of my favorite Bible stories is about Zacchaeus, the tax collector who climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus.

Zacchaeus was not a member of the church, and he certainly wasn’t a follower of Christ at the time. In fact, he was disliked, distrusted, and probably ignored by most people.

But Jesus didn’t ignore him. He didn’t judge him or preach at him. Instead, He looked up, smiled, and said, “Come down, Zacchaeus. I’m coming to your house today.”

What a cool way to show love and community!

Jesus met Zacchaeus where he was—literally and figuratively—He didn’t prophesy and teach; Jesus asked Zacchaeus to dinner. We can do the same.

Instead of waiting for people to walk back through the church doors, what if we met them where they are? At a coffee shop, at our kids’ sporting event, or even with a simple text message: “Hey, I’ve been thinking about you. How are you doing?”

Here’s my challenge for you: Think of one person in your life who might need a little nudge to reconnect with the Church. It could be a friend, a family member, or a coworker.

This week, reach out to them. It doesn’t have to be a big production—just a simple invitation to grab a coffee, attend a service, or talk about where they are in their faith journey.

And remember, it’s not about convincing them or fixing anything. It’s about letting them know they’re seen and loved.

You can reach Brian at [email protected].

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