BC News|July 30, 2014 04:27 EDT
Is the American Church 'Dying'? 'When God Left the Building' Film Shows Deterioration of the Christian Church (TRAILER)
Founder and CEO of Group Publishing, Thom Schultz, is the director of the upcoming documentary set out to examine the fall of several churches in America. What he found was that both internal and external cultural issues are playing a part in the decline of the church today.
"The American church as we know it is dying," Schultz said in a statement, "What was once the heart and soul of the community is going away. The majority of churches across the country are either stuck or in a state of decline ..."
WhenGodleftthebuilding.com stated that although 77% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, many have stopped attending church, "Less than 20% of the population" now makes it to church in a typical week and over "4000 churches are closing every year."
Popular evangelical Pastor, Rick Warren, is featured in the film and agrees.
"We will either have a breakthrough or a breakdown. We'll either have a third spiritual awakening or America will continue in the slow decline of spirituality," Warren said regarding the film's premise.
Others appearing in the film are Steve Hewitt, Reggie McNeal, and Gabe Lyons.
On the movie's website it lists four major reasons why people are no longer interested in attending church. The reasons noted are, "I feel judged, I don't want to be lectured, genuine humility," and the thought that "your God is irrelevant in my life."
The film follows a church that has seen its attendance fall from 900 to 40. It also targets the external cultural factors that affect all churches. The documentary shows fights among God's children over petty things. Throughout the story, cameras also visit other fading churches, as well as modern new forms of churches that are thriving.
The movie has scenes ranging from Pennsylvania to an outreach in Los Angeles. The website states that by the end of the film, "viewers will experience hope and a refreshing glimpse into how faith may be pursued in the future."
Watch the trailer below, and for more information about the film visit: WhenGodleftthebuilding.com
