Summer often exposes a quiet reality in many churches: some members begin shopping for a new congregation. In this episode, Josh and Sam address why this happens and how leaders should respond. If you’ve faced it, you are not alone. Every long-tenured pastor has.
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- Church hoppers hop. Often. You’re likely not the first.
- Summer and holiday weekends are the main Sundays for making the hop.
- Some departures reflect healthy doctrinal or philosophical alignment elsewhere. Others reveal consumerism, unresolved conflict, or family-driven priorities.
- You cannot please everyone. Trying to retain hoppers is often a losing proposition.
- Not all exits are negative; alignment matters.
- Consumer mentalities often drive dissatisfaction.
- Hurt and conflict require pastoral sensitivity.
- If happening too much, you should clarify membership expectations and assimilation processes.
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