Greg Prince is doing a study on why people leave the Church

[_futuremissionary]

Why, in heavens name, isn't the Church itself officially studying why members leave/stop attending?

I assume you may mean officially as going public with any study they probably have done. Perhaps they don't like the results and think it might be less then faith promoting.

I'm sure the church has an abundance of data on this topic. To be honest, if I worked for the church, I'd advise against making this data public. Instead I'd use the data to help retain members. By looking at what the church is doing for retention, we can have a pretty decent idea of what the reasons are. For example, there are rumors of essays explaining some of the more controversial topics. That leads me to believe that a lot of people are leaving due to historical issues.

[_Quasimodo]

I'm sure the church has an abundance of data on this topic. To be honest, if I worked for the church, I'd advise against making this data public. Instead I'd use the data to help retain members. By looking at what the church is doing for retention, we can have a pretty decent idea of what the reasons are. For example, there are rumors of essays explaining some of the more controversial topics. That leads me to believe that a lot of people are leaving due to historical issues.

Welcome to the board, futuremissionary.

I'm not sure how this data could help in retaining members. Maybe you could explain.

An aside; Do missionaries wear striped ties?

[_moksha]

That leads me to believe that a lot of people are leaving due to historical issues.

Also to be factored in are the reasons people leave all churches in industrialized nations. Disbelief based on historical issues or premises is not the only factor in decisions to leave, just as belief based on everything presented as the truth is not the only reason to stay.

by the way, welcome to Mormon Discussions.

[_Bazooka]

I'm sure the church has an abundance of data on this topic. To be honest, if I worked for the church, I'd advise against making this data public. Instead I'd use the data to help retain members. By looking at what the church is doing for retention, we can have a pretty decent idea of what the reasons are. For example, there are rumors of essays explaining some of the more controversial topics. That leads me to believe that a lot of people are leaving due to historical issues.

I disagree.
The only information the Church has is on members who have formally resigned their membership and who stated their reasons for doing so in the letter/e mail to the COB. The Church has no data on why members just stop attending.

[_Themis]

I'm sure the church has an abundance of data on this topic.

Possibly. If they do then they either do not understand it or have no ideas how to stop the exodus. I think it is probably both. It's hard to fight against the facts, especially when their belief would be a big hindrance to understanding the problem.

To be honest, if I worked for the church, I'd advise against making this data public.

Many organizations don't want to release data that can potentially make them look bad.

Instead I'd use the data to help retain members. By looking at what the church is doing for retention, we can have a pretty decent idea of what the reasons are. For example, there are rumors of essays explaining some of the more controversial topics. That leads me to believe that a lot of people are leaving due to historical issues.

I would agree. I am not sure how they think this will help. If they are very honest with the issues it will only increase the problem. At least in the short term. I suspect it will look much the same as what you can read on fair and farms. What they don't understand is that fair and farms have done more then any groups to create disbelief in LDS truth claims.

[_futuremissionary]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone!

I'm sure the church has an abundance of data on this topic. To be honest, if I worked for the church, I'd advise against making this data public. Instead I'd use the data to help retain members. By looking at what the church is doing for retention, we can have a pretty decent idea of what the reasons are. For example, there are rumors of essays explaining some of the more controversial topics. That leads me to believe that a lot of people are leaving due to historical issues.

Welcome to the board, futuremissionary.

I'm not sure how this data could help in retaining members. Maybe you could explain.

An aside; Do missionaries wear striped ties?

Let's say their data tells them that 50% leave do to historical issues. First, I would put my efforts into keeping members, not trying to win back those who've left. That sounds harsh, but if there are limited resources, you fight the battles you're more likely to win. I would slowly introduce controversial historical events with logical explanations if there are some. If there aren't any, just be honest about that fact. Though I'd love to see one big dump of all historical information at once, I think it'd be a little too shocking. If I discovered people were leaving because they felt leaders were old and out of touch, I'd call younger leaders and maybe even champion a cause that the youth can get behind.

Many organizations don't want to release data that can potentially make them look bad.

For sure. I don't expect Nike to purchase a 2 page spread in a sports magazine talking about their sweatshops (dated example, I know). On the other hand, I do expect them to acknowledge it, explain what went wrong, and show that they're doing something to fix it. With the church, I'm not asking for a pamphlet sent to every members' door, but I do think members deserve a place to find answers as well as the ability to have open and honest. Right now you get labeled anti for even talking about Egyptology or polyandry.

[Guest]

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[_futuremissionary]

For sure. I don't expect Nike to purchase a 2 page spread in a sports magazine talking about their sweatshops (dated example, I know). On the other hand, I do expect them to acknowledge it, explain what went wrong, and show that they're doing something to fix it. With the church, I'm not asking for a pamphlet sent to every members' door, but I do think members deserve a place to find answers as well as the ability to have open and honest. Right now you get labeled anti for even talking about Egyptology or polyandry.

Well the method of peer pressure and ostersization is a double edge sword for them, but it does work to some degree. Sort of like a filter in that it weeds out the members most likely to cause problems within the fold and lead others to questioning the power base.

The biggest step to showing it might be a church interested in their well being and not their pay check. Could be to revamp the policies on tithing. Simply try a period of say 1 year of no tithing collected. It would seem with the churches holdings , they could weather that. Even if they have to make church jobs take a pay cut.
that's just my oppinion for what could retain membership , and maybe even bring back a lot of the inactives.

Or even just go back to the original meaning of tithing. Tithing didn't used to be 10% and it used to only be on increase, meaning what's left over at the end of the year. I'm sure the Church had a good reason to bump it to 10%, but is the Church in a financial state where it still needs that?

[Guest]

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[_subgenius]

Or even just go back to the original meaning of tithing. Tithing didn't used to be 10% and it used to only be on increase, meaning what's left over at the end of the year. I'm sure the Church had a good reason to bump it to 10%, but is the Church in a financial state where it still needs that?

do you have a reference that illustrates how the church has "changed" the meaning of tithe?
The scriptures are not clear in their definition of "increase", but it seems obvious...and even though modern understanding is associated with "income", the concept of increase still applies...i mean do you have a reference that states "10% of gross income, before taxes, deductions, fees, mortgage payments, groceries, etc.."?
Exactly what, when asked, are you considering is an honest response about paying tithe?