15 comments

• I’m one of the “dones!” I didn’t know we had a title. I have no beef with anyone at the church and there wasn’t a specific reason I stopped going. I kept telling myself I needed to “get more involved” but when I thought about what that would mean I just wasn’t inspired to do it. The idea left me tired. Sunday morning sermons were like a “how to have a better family” self-help audio book. I would like to find some community in Ann Arbor, MI but definitely not a traditional church. I’d rather we spent our time doing good works or discussing real life (not intellectual pontification or theological debates). Great post Steve!

  • Thanks Darcy!

• You really think that’s the real reason, Steve? Other than the most die hard traditionalists most of us think the format is a bore. But do you really believe that having a greater diversity of expressions will solve the problem? The de-churched (or out-of-church Christians, or any number of other titles) have been a phenomenon for 25 years and much has been discussed and written about the problem. In that time we’ve seen the rise of the emerging movement with a plethora of diverse formats and variables. But, judging by the Thom Shultz article, it doesn’t seem to have stemmed the tide.

  My sense is that we lost the substance and are left grasping at the shadow.

  • I agree boredom is why most “dones” leave or go to Sunday infrequently. Thom Schultz seems to want to stem the flow from the present system. I don’t really share that same concern. Personally I think a lot of the diverse variables and formats you mentioned were never really that diverse to be begin with. Most are just rearranging the furniture. What is considered “church” will change a fair bit in the next 50 years.

• I think the main issue with the “Dones” is not that the church is irrelevant! The problem with the “Dones” is that they sought religion than seeking a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! How can we explain the decline of churches in North America and Europe while churches are growing fast in South/Central America and Africa? Whatever we can do if our faith is not deeply rooted in relationship with Jesus Christ and be guided by the Holy Spirit, we will get tired and get done with any Christian gathering! Historically, Christians gathered together as a community and among them there were some who were set apart for different ministries! Getting done with church is more of spiritual problem than it’s with church’s irrelevance! My latest sermon about ten virgins is a good illustration of the done population.

  • Thanks for the comment. I don’t think the issue is that the church is irrelevant, but what is “church” and what can be considered “church”. Many people I know that have left traditional Sunday morning gatherings are closer in their relationship with Jesus now than before. They often choose to express their togetherness with other believers differently. I think we will be seeing more of this

    • I know that there are many home-based churches. I am absolutely not against those churches if some people choose so doing! By church, I meant local churches, which have traditional or contemporary services! There is no doubt that there are churches, which are declining and churches that are growing! The rise of home based churches is obvious! What I argued against was the so called “Dones” who simply quit community gatherings all together. Wise churches are focusing on home-based small groups where their disciples can learn and grow together!

      • I think the “home church” idea is fine for people who want to do that but I am suggesting there will be expressions of church beyond just a “house church” vs. “traditional church” model. Most “Dones” that I have met don’t really have anything against a “house church” but most house churches I know follow a similar format to a larger service. A few songs, prayer, someone teaching… sure there may be more exchange because of the more intimate surrounding…but its basically more of the same. Some Christians will love it…some won’t.

        • Steve, most of the “Dones” keep their memberships with their local churches for big events of their lives & after life. I am talking about weddings and funerals. The challenges with home based churches are that they may not have well trained teachers, which may lead them far from orthodox teaching. There are reasons that Bible Colleges and Seminaries train those who are set apart to teach and lead congregations! I don’t think that many home based churches can afford to support their professional pastors.

        • But I am suggesting home churches and “traditional” churches are pretty much the same thing and that the “Dones” are done with both. Whether or not a house church can sustain a professional pastor is a moot point. I find clergy as “career” a little suspect anyhow. (http://www.stevehackman.net/the-church-is-changing-is-the-day-of-the-paid-pastor-over/)

• Thanks for the post. I referenced it in an aggregate of posts on the “dones”, which I’ve posted here:

  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PHffj74Wq6YduljKrLZiqB4ef5YFZOzAQESUiGnssaE/edit#heading=h.ofn9pycv6nxo

  I hope some people find this helpful as we track this growing trend.

  • Argh. Wrong link! Sorry:

    http://www.robwilkerson.net/2015/05/nones-dones-undones-and-not-dones-my.html

    Copy/paste isn’t working so well on my old laptop these days! My apologies.

  • Thanks Rob!

• When my wife and I became empty-nesters a few years ago we began to prepare for our future. We downsized our home, and we assessed all the time and money commitments in our life. Over the years we had become terribly over-extended and it was the perfect time to close that chapter and begin a brand new one. So we resigned from all civic and volunteer positions, including everything ‘church’. We only have one weekly volunteer commitment on our schedule now, which we do together, and it’s wonderful. We made the healthiest choice for our lives and we couldn’t be happier as we rediscover our relationship as husband and wife, and recently as grandparents!

  • Fantastic Murray! I wish you and your wife all the best in your new found freedom and fresh season of life!

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