I’ve been reading a lot lately about a move in the workforce called “quiet quitting.” Quiet quitting happens when an employee decides to not do anything above and beyond his or her job description. These employees also decide not do engage in any work activity outside of their defined work hours.
Some look at quiet quitting as a healthy decision to set boundaries that bring balance to life. Others fear quiet quitting may lead to a larger withdrawal of an individual from life’s responsibilities. I can see the merits of both perspectives, but have no interest in debating it as a workplace practice.
Quiet Quitting and Church
My concern is that I have seen evidence of a quiet quitting among church people over the last several years. And we cannot blame it all on the pandemic. It was happening before we ever learned about the new “C-word,” COVID.
One of the most telling statistics is the attendance frequency of people who consider themselves “regular” attenders. Only a few years ago a regular attender attended at least Sunday morning worship 3 or 4 times a month. Now most statistical studies consider regular as one week a month. It seems that close to the same number of people attend church, but now with less frequency.
And attendance is no the only activity church members are quietly quitting. Giving is down significantly. Fewer people participate in small groups and ministry and mission activity. As you think about your church, you can probably identify other areas of decline.
Why Are People Quitting?
A number of factors could contribute to this quiet quitting trend among church people.
Spiritual apathy is one contributing factor. People have grown cold in their devotion to Jesus. It’s not that they don’t love Jesus, at least somewhat. It’s that they love other things more.
Certainly the COVID pandemic is a contributing factor. Many churches temporarily suspended operations during the early days of the pandemic in the Spring of 2020. Online streaming replaced in person worship. Zoom meetings replaced Bible study classes. And social distancing concerns got us out of the habit of ministering to people.
The Greatest Cause of Quiet Quitting
But I think there is a greater underlying contributing factor to quiet quitting in the church. Many have an unbiblical understanding of the nature and purpose of the Church. I’ve seen a growing wave of what I would call Christian Narcissism pervading churches. We have become church consumers rather than servants of Christ.
Let’s start with worship music. On one hand, we want it to be OUR music. We demand music that suits our taste. On the other hand, many of the songs we sing focus on us and our needs. We love to sing about what God can do for us and how He makes us feel. Oh, and if you think I am an old fogey griping about contemporary music, then you are mistaken. Old hymns and new music BOTH are replete with examples of “me-focused” singing. Take a gander through your hymnal. Check out your Spotify playlist. You’ll see it.
But the consumer mentality also shows itself in the complaints we hear about church. “I am not being fed.” “We are going somewhere that has ministry for us and our family.” “I don’t like the way the church (fill in the blank). You get the point. I am convinced that many church people do not see themselves as the Bride of Christ. They prefer Jesus to be a “friend with benefits.”
Jesus said in Matthew 20:28 that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to lay down His life as a ransom for many.” If Jesus came to serve rather than be served, who gives us a right to demand that we be served in the church. He calls us to serve in His power and for His Kingdom.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Only the grace of God through the work of the Holy Spirit will bring an end to this alarming trend of quiet quitting in church. I am praying for God to do just that. I am praying that He will do what only HE can do: change hearts.
Maybe as you read this the Holy Spirit has touched your heart about some ways you have quietly quit church. That touch by the Holy Spirit is God’s grace extended to you. He is asking you to repent – own up to it. He promises to forgive you. And He’s calling you back to a deep love relationship with Jesus.
See yourself as not working for the church but serving Jesus. You may have quietly quit, but Jesus didn’t accept your resignation. He saved your place.
Click here to read an excellent article on Quiet Quitting and The Church by Dr. James Emery White