Major Churches See Sharp Attendance Declines Following Scandals and Controversies

Several high-profile evangelical churches in the United States and globally have experienced significant drops in attendance following public scandals, leadership controversies, and internal crises. New findings show that trust erosion, disillusionment with leadership, and growing skepticism toward megachurch culture are driving members away in substantial numbers.

From sexual misconduct allegations to financial mismanagement and leadership failures, the fallout has been swift and often irreversible for many congregations. Below are key examples:

 Notable Cases and Estimated Attendance Declines:

• Willow Creek Community Church (Illinois)
  Following sexual misconduct allegations against founding pastor Bill Hybels in 2018, the church saw a 50-60% drop in weekly attendance. Multiple campuses closed, and top leadership resigned.

• Hillsong Church (Global)
  Once a global megachurch empire, Hillsong has suffered steep declines - including a 40-70% drop at some U.S. locations - after scandals involving high-profile leaders Brian Houston and Carl Lentz. Several campuses have since closed or disaffiliated.

• Mars Hill Church (Seattle)
  The church dissolved entirely in 2014 after spiritual abuse accusations against pastor Mark Driscoll, marking a 100% loss of its then 12,000+ attendees. It remains a landmark case of a megachurch collapse.

• Relentless Church (South Carolina)
  Led by John Gray, the church faced backlash over moral failures and legal battles with Redemption Church. Attendance reportedly fell 30-40%, with numerous staff changes and public scrutiny.

• Crystal Cathedral (California)
  A pioneering media church, the Crystal Cathedral suffered from financial collapse and internal strife, resulting in a dramatic 80-90% decline in attendance before filing for bankruptcy in 2010.

Other churches, including Fellowship Church (TX) and Church by the Glades (FL), have seen slower but steady declines attributed to concerns over leadership culture and prioritization of entertainment over discipleship. Even churches like Elevation Church and The Potter's House - without formal scandals - have faced post-COVID plateauing or declining physical attendance, raising questions about long-term retention in megachurch settings.

 

 

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