Welcome to the LFL Blog

People leave churches for many reasons. Some leave frustrated and hurt. Some leave simply because they relocate. Some people even leave because they see church involvement as a hindrance to their faith and spiritual growth. Whatever your reasons, we want to hear from you. The creators of this website love the church, but we are also aware of its flaws. In fact, the church has disappointed us too (and truth be told, we’ve failed the church and people like you at times). It is our desire to create an open venue for those that have left the church to tell us their story.

This website was launched in February 2007 by Tim Bower and Jason Loftis as part of a research project for Dr. John Drane’s course, Theology & Culture, at Fuller Theological Seminary. To learn more about Tim and Jason, check out the Moderators page.

LETTER WRITERS…read more

Do Not Name Names. > Be Articulate. > Use the Comments to Clarify Your Thoughts.

COMMENT WRITERS…read more

Receive, Read, and Learn. > Question But Do Not Invalidate. > Don’t Unfairly Label Others. > Practice Humility & Mutual Respect.

CHURCH MEMBERS…read more

Do Not Proselytize. > Our Purpose is to Receive, Read, and Learn.

Recent Blog Posts

Topic: Letters

Will Never Play Church Again

by isabel on Mar 21, 2011 • 2 Comments
Not sure where to begin with my story but I am glad I get to share it. I and my young daughters were a part of a church for 10 years. I was evangelized by my brother outside of the church. When I was ready he brought me into the church. It was new and... Read More

Topic: Letters

adapt, adjust, survive

by soultosqeeze on Feb 13, 2011 • 10 Comments
 Since I was born my parents were in the full-time ministry and lead a church that we were apart of  since I was a baby. When your a preachers kid, theres not a whole lot of choice in the path your life will take. While my parents never verbally said “you have to live the... Read More

Topic: Letters

Dear Baptist Christianity

by spartacandream on Dec 7, 2010 • 5 Comments
Dear Baptist Christianity, You told me that you were the only way, that the Baptist Christian religion was the way to God, and heaven. All other paths lead to hell, or so you told me. You told me that I needed to take your version of “interpretation of the Bible”‘s word for it, on faith,... Read More

Topic: Letters

I believe in God but not in the Bible

by emergentcoach on Mar 24, 2010 • 7 Comments
I had a Damascus Road type conversion experience when I was 18. I began attending the high school Christian Club, was baptized in a Baptist church less than a year later. While finishing my undergraduate and graduate degrees, I was the leader of a Christian parachurch organization and was responsible for leading weekly bible studies,... Read More

Topic: Letters

A Second Wind of Grace

by Euodia on Oct 9, 2009 • 2 Comments
Why did I leave the institutional church?  How much time do you have? Some factors: a bone-deep sense of weariness.  Frustration.  A yearning for something more substantive, authentic, and relevant.  Burn-out.  Boredom.  Cliques.  Performance-based churchianity.  Lock-step-it-is. “Old boys clubs.”  Rote routines.  Feeling like a round peg being squashed into a pre-fabricated, artificial square hole.  Disrespect.... Read More

Topic: Letters

hope – my story

by JOYJUNKIE on Sep 10, 2009 • No Comments
Joy, fun, discovery, open New, interesting, curious, he found me, used me Hurt, close to save oneself HE found me Joy, fun, discovery Wonder, awe,  worship Open, open more – Desire To love and be loved To know and be known they find me tell me of my not rightness Pain, darkness, shame Match voice... Read More

Topic: Letters

Out of the box

by apple17.8 on Aug 17, 2009 • 6 Comments
I have never known a time I didn’t love Jesus. When I was a toddler I would sit on my mom’s lap with her while she had her devotions and talk to him.  As I grew up, Jesus and I had teaparties with mudpies, climbed trees together, laughed together–were best friends.  Since most of the... Read More

Topic: Letters

Why I have to leave

by raybob on Jul 19, 2009 • 3 Comments
I was “worship leader” at an AOG for years and Calvary Chapels prior to that. For me, I had to leave. I haven’t found a fellowship since that I know to be faithful to the Word and what it teaches. The problems I saw, in subtle ways, changed the meaning of being a Christian from... Read More

Topic: Letters

why i left the church and organised religeon

by pmutley on Jun 22, 2009 • 1 Comment
My story is long but i will shorten it – i was brought up in a earnest anglican missionary family where my father was an anglican minister for 30 -40 years. I gravitated towards the Fundamentalist pentacostal side of the christian spectrum and even went on missionary work in my adult years. My doubts started... Read More

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