Americans still believe in God, but they are leaving the church in record numbers. Why are the faithful fleeing?

Reporter Julia Duin (Washington Times, Houston Chronicle) has collected the research and added insights from interviews with disillusioned followers, as well as from her own story. In this engrossing account of churches in decline, Duin visits numerous churches and explores a number of factors underlying the social shift away from church: irrelevant teaching, the neglect of singles, the marginalization of women, and a lack of authentic spiritual power. She also journeys into house churches and emergent congregations.

Duin's careful analysis is sure to help church leaders "and churchgoers" examine how they might better serve their communities and create inviting spiritual homes for people of all kinds.

PRAISE FOR QUITTING CHURCH

Quitting Church will force pastors and church leaders to ask some very basic questions about the church "and about their churches."
Albert Mohler, President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"What an important and timely book. The things Julia Duin writes about are raw, real, and cannot be easily dismissed. Every pastor should read this book. Every believer who has ever despaired of church, been tempted to quit, or struggled with guilt over leaving, should too."
Rod Dreher, Blogger, The American Conservative

"We have come to expect solid journalism from veteran religion reporter Julia Duin, and Quitting Church does not disappoint. Churches need to address the seasoned churchgoer who wants more, not less, out of worship."
Nancy R. Pearcey, Author, Total Truth and How Now Shall We Live (with Charles Colson), and scholar-in-residence at Houston Baptist University

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julia Duin is an associate professor of journalism at Union University. A longtime, award-winning reporter for the Washington Times, her work has also appeared in the Washington Post Sunday magazine, the Wall Street Journal, The Economist and CNN.com.