Shepherding Wandering Sheep

Reclaiming Inactive Church Members

This study came about as a result of a decline in churches of Christ and the necessity for elders to seek members who have wandered. The objective of this study was to examine the attitudes of elders in churches of Christ concerning inactive Christians. An examination is made of the responsibilities of elders toward inactive Christians, reasons Christians become inactive, and practical steps elders can take to restore inactive Christians. Nine elders participated in interviews that covered their previous experiences with elders and inactive Christians, their present experiences with inactive Christians, and the meaning they make of those experiences. This seminal work on church leadership and inactive Christians provides reasons for inactivity, what church leaders can do to reclaim inactive church members, and looks at how church leaders currently help reclaim their wandering sheep.