Church attendance has been on the decline for years, but it’s only recently that we’ve begun to grasp the full scope of this shift—and what it means for the future of the Church in America. In a recent Next Sunday podcast episode, Jim Sheppard and Frank Bealer sat down to unpack one of the most important trends shaping church life today: dechurching.
Much of the conversation draws from The Great Dechurching—a groundbreaking book by Jim Davis and Michael Graham, filled with original research that traces how and why over 40 million Americans have stopped attending church over the past 25 years. Their data and analysis form the foundation for understanding this cultural and spiritual shift, and what church leaders can do about it.
Dechurching refers to a behavioral change—when someone who previously attended church regularly (typically once a month or more) now rarely or never goes. It doesn’t always mean a loss of faith. In many cases, it’s a quiet drift brought on by everyday life disruptions: moving, a job change, a new routine.
But make no mistake—this isn’t a small or temporary trend. According to The Great Dechurching, this is the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history.
Who Is Dechurching—and Why?
The research identifies five major profiles of those who are leaving church:
The reasons behind these shifts are complex, but in many cases, it’s not about scandal or deconstruction—it’s about disconnection. People move, they get busy, life gets complicated—and no one follows up. They don’t feel missed, so they don’t feel the need to return.
We want to highlight a key insight: many leaders underestimate how “quiet” dechurching really is. People aren’t leaving with a bang; they’re slipping away without anyone noticing. This subtlety makes it all the more urgent that churches cultivate deeper relational awareness and proactive engagement.
And yet, here’s the good news: about half of dechurched evangelicals are open to returning.
That’s a remarkable statistic. Millions of people are not necessarily done with faith or community—they’re just waiting for a meaningful reason to reengage. The opportunity is there, but it will require churches to lead differently.
Drawing from The Great Dechurching, here are four takeaways we see for churches navigating this new reality:
Dechurching isn’t just a data point—it’s a discipleship challenge. It’s an invitation for the Church to return to its roots of relational care, thoughtful presence, and intentional community. The question isn’t just, “How do we get people back to church?”—it’s “How do we show people that the Church still matters?”
As Frank shared in the Next Sunday podcast, this isn’t about gimmicks or growth strategies—it’s about faithfulness in a changing world.
🎧 Want the full conversation?
Don’t miss this essential episode of Next Sunday:
“The Truth About Dechurching in 2025”
Available now wherever you get your podcasts: Listen here
📘 Want to dive deeper?
Don’t miss the book that sparked the conversation:
The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?
Available now on Amazon: Buy the book here
And while you're there, subscribe to Next Sunday for more weekly insight into the future of the Church—and how you can lead with clarity, compassion, and courage in these changing times.