News Beat #3

Every year more and more Christians are leaving the church. Membership in all Conferences is down especially in America. After a recent update from the Columbia Union Conference membership count, it was found that over 700 members have left their church. People who leave are not just transferring to another church. They are either converting to another denomination or just want nothing to do with a church at all.
    With such a mass number of people leaving the church, many people want to know why? Why are people just up and leaving church? Why couldn't someone stop and help them before they left? Nine people were asked why they have recently left the church. Out of the nine of them, they all had one main reason in common. People in the church who are hypocrites.
    Hypocritical people are people who pretend to have qualities, beliefs, or feelings that they do not really have. In the church, these can be the "sisters" and "brothers" who get up and dance down the isles, scream "Thank you Jesus!" or "Yes Lord" during the sermon, put a stack of of twenty dollar bills in the offering plate and welcome people with a hug and smile. But the minute they step out of the church and go home, they become different people. And unfortunately, there are many of these people in the church.
    Because of the presents of multiple hypocritical people, Samantha Brooms, a senior at University of Maryland, has left the church.
    "I can't stand hypocrites. And I find that there are more of them in the church then anywhere else. Why be a part of something that is really just a bunch of pretend? Its ridiculous! That's why I left. And I am not going back till I find a church that does not have Hypocrites. So i guess I won't be back any times soon.
    Many people believe that leaving the church because of hypocirtical people is a good reason. But many people also disagree. Justin Meion, a youth pastor at New Life church, disagress.
    "If you are a Christian, then your faith should be built upon God. Not other people. Those people will be judged for their actions. But your life and salvation has nothing to do with them.  It is up for someone to choose for themselves whatever there reason for leaving the church is. But whatever the reason. They should make it a good one. And perhaps instead of abandoning the church, try another one."
    Hopefully church members will be able to see the decrease in membership and take measures to stop people from leaving the church. Beacause once they leave it may be hard to get them back.