Here's my list of why people leave, and it comes from a pastor. 1. They leave because they have been abused in some way. 2. They leave because the church leadership does nothing to stop abuse from happening in the church. 3. They leave because the maintainers have a firm grip on the congregation so that any change at all gets pelted to death. 4. They leave because they are expected to become like other people. 5. They leave because of toxic people. 6. They leave because of toxic theology. 7 They leave because of a toxic pastor. 8. They leave because they have been lied to one too many times. 9. They leave because they just don't trust the people in the church. 10. They leave because they don't feel like they have encountered God. How's that for a list?