They're called The Dones. After devoting a lifetime to their churches, they're walking away. Why?
Sociologists Josh Packard and Ashleigh Hope reveal the results of a major study about the exodus from the American church.
And what they've discovered may surprise you...
- Church refugees aren't who you'd expect. Among those scrambling for the exits are the church''s staunchest supporters and leaders.
- Leaving the church doesn't mean abandoning the faith. Some who are done with church report they've never felt spiritually stronger.
- The door still remains open--a crack. Those who've left remain hungry for community and the chance to serve--and they're finding both.
- Sifting through hundreds of hours of in-depth interviews, Packard and Hope provide illuminating insights into what has become a major shift in the American landscape.
If you're in the church, discover the major reasons your church may be in danger of losing its strongest members--and what you can do to keep them.
If you're among those done with church, look for your story to be echoed here. You're not alone--and at last you're understood.
Product Preview
Format: | Paperback book |
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Product code: | GP725921 |
Dimensions: | 6" x 9" |
Length: | 143 pages |
Publisher: |
Group Publishing
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ISBN: | 9781470725921 |
1-2 copies | $13.50 each |
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3-5 copies | $12.75 each |
6+ copies | $12.00 each |
Author
Josh Packard is a professor of sociology at the University of Northern Colorado, co-director of the Social Research Lab, and the author of numerous academic articles, reviews, and books. He's also an active church member with a deep desire to understand the phenomenon of widespread church decline.
Ashleigh Hope is earning a doctorate in sociology at Vanderbilt University where she researches religion, community, and health. She is a member of a church in Nashville.