Why Did They Leave The Church?

Flavil Yeakley, Jr. wrote a book entitled “Why They Left: Listening to Those Who Have Left Churches of Christ.” Yeakley does a good job compiling his findings. He digs deep into various reasons as to why people have left the church literally and figuratively. He explores doctrinal differences, neglect, instrumental music issues, the role of women, divorce-marriage-remarriage along with a host of other reasons why people leave the Lord’s church. While the reasons listed in Yeakley’s book are centered on people refusing to change their life and be in a right relationship with God, many of the reasons are founded in poor relationships and the inability of the church to communicate with those on the “fringe.” Understanding who we are and how we treat each other may help reverse this trend. We are a common family. First Timothy 3:15 says, “But if I am delayed, I write so that you…