Comedian Njugush and his wife Celstine Ndinda recently had a conversation on why people stop going to church. According to his research, some of the young people said they don’t go to church because it is business nowadays. Additionally, the extreme financial needs required by churches have seen them shun the doors of places of worship. Those who don’t have money feel uncomfortable because when they don’t contribute, they are left with a big burden of debt.
In 2023, actress Jackie Matubia opened up on why she doesn’t go to church. Her reason for shunning church then was because she hadn’t found the right place.
“I believe in God, but I don’t go to church. I haven’t yet found a church to go to. You know everyone has a personal relationship with God so for me that’s what matters,” Jackie said.
On the other hand, Vera Sidika once stopped going to church because of too much attention.
““I haven’t been to church in ages. Damn. I pray and do my part as a Christian, but it’s damn hard going to church. Too much attention. If you know any good churches where I won’t be distracted, please suggest some,” she said in 2024.
Later that year, she began attending services.
Socialite Huddah Monroe once took to social media to label all church goers as liars, saying she would rather choose illuminati. This however came shortly after she said that she was planning to open her own church in 2026.
“At this point, I’d choose Illuminati than a Christian. All these churchgoers are liars. They all go to church and our money disappears,” she said.
Aside from the reasons mentioned above, there are more reasons as to why young adults are no longer going to church like in the past. One of the reasons is because of busy lifestyles. Nowadays, people are engaged with career, education, social life and other personal interests that they lack time for religious engagements.
Lack of relevance in churches is another thing that is making young people leave church. Some feel that churches no longer address issues affecting them or even their lifestyles. The young people feel left out.
“The perceived irrelevance stems from outdated modes of communication, unrelatable topics, or a failure to integrate modern societal issues into religious discourse. The lack of relevance leads to indifference and disinterest in church activities for the youth,” ministry brands states.
Other reasons include hypocrisy in churches, cultural shifts among individuals and lack of community in church context. Gen Zs and Millennials will also stop going to church when they feel like the church doesn’t support their personal growth.
Additionally, the generations have online alternatives where they consume religious content and community engagement outside the traditional and physical church settings.
Past negative experiences and accessibility of churches are more reasons for people quitting church.
