Today, we’re really excited to share a special episode with Jeff Strong on his new book, Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn From Them.
Research suggests that roughly 40% of formerly active, faithful members have stepped away from the Church in the last twenty-five years—and the pace is accelerating. Jeff Strong is asking why. Drawing on hundreds of interviews, he’s found that, again and again, disaffiliation is rooted in unmet spiritual needs, strained trust, and experiences of exclusion or spiritual starvation. Jeff’s book is unflinchingly honest—and genuinely hopeful, because if culture is part of the problem, there’s also something all of us can do to help.
In this conversation, Jeff really challenges the assumption that people leave casually. His data shows that, on average, most people wrestle for nearly a decade before stepping away. These are sincere, often private, and deeply painful journeys that deserve to be understood with care.
Jeff says that what we need are not more gatekeepers, but more gardeners. He suggests our role isn’t to monitor who’s in or out—or how “in” or “out” anyone is—but to tend the kind of soil where faith can grow: in our homes, our wards, and our relationships.
He helps us recognize when that soil has become compacted or depleted of spiritual nutrients, and offers practical, grounded ways for everyday members and leaders to cultivate something more nourishing—a more Christ-centered culture where more people can grow and flourish.
We are so excited for you to read this book and hear the conversation. You can read the introduction and first two chapters, check out the appendix, and learn more about the research on Jeff’s website, tornbyjeffstrong.com.
MORE FROM JEFF STRONG
WAYFARE ISSUE 7 IS ARRIVING
Wayfare Issue 7 is all about trust—trust in ourselves, trust in God, and trust in each other—and centers women’s voices and experiences with this topic. A subscription to Wayfare would make a beautiful Mother’s Day gift! Become a paid Wayfare subscriber or Faith Matters donor in their name today and we’ll send Issue 7 now and Issue 8 in the fall. Get a peek inside the newest issue below, and email info@faithmatters.org if you have any questions about your subscription or a gift subscription.
If you are already a paid Wayfare subscriber or Friend of Faith Matters donor, you should see your copy arrive this week—please email us if you haven’t seen it by May 10 and we’ll make sure you’re on the list for the next shipment on May 11!
STUDY “COME FOLLOW ME” WITH FAITH MATTERS
Meekness, Healing, and God's Will
What does it mean to sustain and follow the prophet? How might we think about personal revelation and prophetic revelation? Is it okay to work for change in the Church? What is meekness? What changes when we think about the atonement as healing and sin as woundedness? What does it mean to have hope? To have integrity?
Preparing Our Hearts to Love God & Others
What does it mean to love God? How can I remember God? What does it mean to be part of God's covenant people? How might we think about sin and temptation? What is the role of a prophet?
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FAITH MATTERS BENEFIT ART AUCTION
When: Saturday, May 9th at 7:00 PM
Where: The Compass Gallery (250 W. Center St., Provo)
Highlights: Live auction of featured works, silent auction bidding, mocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live music.
Faith Matters needs your support for our Benefit Art Auction at The Compass Gallery. It will be an evening of art, connection, and giving, where you’ll have access to one-of-kind art we think you’ll treasure for years to come. Here at Faith Matters, we work to promote a vibrant, nourishing faith and we hope you’ll partner with us.
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