The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Many Christians take this command to heart when it comes to Sunday morning worship.
Yet, for other Christians, there are several very good reasons why they might miss any given Sunday morning. Whether it’s bad weather, lack of sleep, or something even more important, here are 12 times Christians miss out on in-person corporate worship.
1. Bad Weather
According to the study: “Most regular churchgoers say they would miss a weekly worship service at least once a year to avoid traveling in severe weather (77%),” including snow, ice, a tornado warning, or other severe weather concerns.
Thankfully, with so many online church options available these days, missing church in person doesn’t have to mean missing out on church altogether.
2. Good Weather
Alternately, 55 percent reported the opposite problem: They’ve been known to skip church because there wasn’t bad weather, and they wanted to enjoy an outdoor activity instead. It’s hard to stay cooped up outside when you could be outside at the pool, park, or enjoying a bike ride with family!
3. Lack of Sleep
For some survey respondents, a lack of sleep was their primary reason for missing church.
Various users on a popular social media platform, including u/44035 shared the same concern: “Lately, it’s been a horrible case of insomnia that keeps me up late and I can’t get up for a 10 am service. Sometimes I’ll just go to our church’s Saturday afternoon service rather than fight the insomnia.”
While some congregations have no problem with their members bringing beverages into the sanctuary (even providing the coffee!), we can see how it could be difficult to stay awake for those attending a no-coffee-allowed-style church.
4. Fun with Friends
For those who didn’t stay up too late on Saturday night having fun with friends, Sunday morning might provide an alternative time.
According to the Lifeway study, half of their survey respondents said they would skip church “to meet a friend or group of friends.”
Too bad the friends didn’t want to go to church together!
5. Watching Sports
For some survey respondents, watching sports is reason enough to skip a church service, whether that’s professional sports on TV or their children’s local sporting events. While children’s sports schedules can be hectic and unpredictable, professional sports can often be recorded to watch at a later time or date.
6. Tired of Politics
For some unlucky churchgoers, it can seem as though their pastors are more interested in talking about politics than preaching God’s Word.
One commenter simply shared, “Tired of politics.”
Another chose a more colorful language to explain, “…if I have to listen to one more sermon that’s full of thinly veiled references or metaphors for right vs left or our values, etc or discriminating trans people I’m gonna lose my… mind.”
7. Don’t Fit In
Unfortunately, even in the most welcoming churches, it’s possible to feel overlooked, left out, or “different.”
This was one commenter’s experience: “My church is small and many of the members are part of families who have been attending since the late 1800’s so there’s a closeness among many of the churchgoers. Everyone is extremely welcoming, but after a year and a half of trying to find someone to build a friendship with I still only feel like an acquaintance. Not because they are not welcoming, but because it’s hard to relate when you are the only single male among a dozen people who are in my age group. I just don’t have much in common with anyone.”
8. Lack of Diversity
It’s no secret that even the best-intentioned churches can suffer from a lack of diversity, whether that’s in culture, belief, or any other factor.
While you don’t want to sit under false teaching, finding yourself stuck in a one-sided echo chamber isn’t ideal either.
One commenter shared: “I never really go mainly cause there are no good churches anywhere near me and plus I’d rather connect with other Christians online and get more diverse answers.”
9. Too Difficult with Young Kids
For many parents of little ones, attending church with young kids is simply too difficult.
One commenter shared: “I’ve been waiting for it to get easier to go places with my son. He was a very colicky baby and now at 1.5 is just so difficult to take places. He wants to run around like a feral animal and throws temper tantrums when he has to sit still. I watch the live stream every week and see all these other babies in strollers or sitting on their parent’s laps, but our guy would never….”
10. Cost of Gas
Unfortunately, for some, finances are so tight that even the cost of gas to get to church is too much to manage.
One commenter shared: “I used to go weekly, Sat and Sun, but as of late money has gotten a bit tighter, and it’s kinda far. Gas isn’t cheap where I live so I kinda have to save it for important outings.”
11. Work Schedules
In regards to missing Sunday worship, one commenter shared, “Work is the main reason for me as a shift worker but I try normally to catch up and attend a midweek mass.”
Another person commented, “Working a lot and want the morning to sleep in on my day of rest.”
While there is a benefit to being able to watch online and not have it interfere with your work schedule, digital church services can’t provide deep and meaningful fellowship with other Christians. If possible, taking off a Sunday every now and then, or telling your employer you won’t work Sundays could be an option.
12. Holiday Travel or Vacations
One of the most common reasons for missing church seems to be quite obvious – not being in town to attend church!
Whether it’s going to the beach, camping, or traveling over the holidays, many people opt out of Sunday services rather than try new churches or miss time visiting friends and family.
Perhaps researching local churches before you travel or letting your friends or family you’d like to attend church with them could help keep you worshipping on a Sunday morning.
Regular Church Attenders
Of course, for some, there’s no good reason to miss church… ever.
According to the same Lifeway study, “One in 10 Protestant churchgoers (11%) say they would never skip for any of these reasons. Twice as many (22%) say they would never skip due to the five options besides severe weather situations.”
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Brittany Ann is an ECPA bestselling author and founder of Equipping Godly Women and Monetize My Ministry. She’s also a Christian speaker, podcaster, and conference host. Her work has been featured on numerous TV, radio, and online ministries, including CBN, MSN, Christianity Today, Evangelical Alliance, Patheos, Crosswalk, and more.
