We Compiled the Top 5 Complaints People Had About Non-Denominational Churches in the US
If people are slipping out of your church (and not coming back), it’s rarely because of the worship or the message alone. Trust, connection, and care keep people coming back. Using the deep research functionality of AI, we had ChatGPT compile a list of the most common complaints church-goers had about non-denominational churches in the US over the past few years. This study compiles real data from real reviews and critiques. Even with us excluding mega-churches from this study, the results were challenging…but potentially transformational.
This is a small departure from our usual content, but we believe church health starts with self-awareness, which requires honest listening. Here are the exact results we received from our search, as well as our thoughts:
1. Lack of Accountability and Leadership Oversight
Many attendees express concern that independent non-denominational churches often lack formal accountability structures. With no higher denominational authority, a pastor or a single family can wield unchecked power. Members describe leadership as “untouchable” and “family-run,” leaving everyone else disposable. Without a governing body to appeal to, disagreements or misconduct often go unaddressed. This lack of oversight can lead to authoritarian leadership, burnout, and church-splits. When one person holds all the authority, there’s nothing to prevent teachings or practices from slipping out of alignment.
Our thoughts: It isn’t wrong for a church to start as a family affair; your family is, after all, your first ministry. However, church leaders should seek to share accountability in the same way that we expect others to within the church. Furthermore, leadership responsibility and ownership can’t stay with one leader as the ministry grows. Look no further than Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 to see the biblical relevance of sharing responsibility, as well as maintaining good counsel and oversight (even among peers, assuming you have solid ones).
For even greater transparency, share your council of accountability with your leaders so they know who to go to if you step out of bounds. Sharing your accountability structure openly with your team builds trust. When people know how spiritual authority is kept in check, they feel safer (and more likely to stay).
2. Cliques and an Unwelcoming “Insider” Culture
Smaller non-denominational churches can feel cliquish. Visitors often describe the culture as polite but closed off, with long-time members forming tight groups that are difficult to join. Stories include guests being asked to move from “someone’s seat” or being told small groups were “for members only.” Many attendees liken it to walking into a high school cafeteria, where everyone already has their friend group. The result is an atmosphere that feels exclusive rather than welcoming, discouraging new visitors from returning.
Our thoughts: In our opinion, the remedy for insider culture is “caught” more than it is “taught.” It starts with church leadership intentionally reaching outside of their “circle” every service and event. Have everyone set a goal to interface with people they don’t normally speak to every week. There’s plenty of time outside of Sunday to deepen connections with those you’re already connected with.
Furthermore, the idea of reserved seating outside of operational logistics is difficult to justify. Anything that blurs the lines between honor and favoritism can leave a sour taste in the mouth of your guests, even with good intentions. We win an opportunity to show godly love when we show care for one another and put others above ourselves (see Philippians 2:3-4). This extends to the little things, such as offering a reserved seat, turning your plate so a guest can eat, and surrendering any other special privileges. This shifts hospitality from preferential “niceness” to intentional inclusion.
3. Entertainment-Driven or “Concert” Style Worship
While contemporary worship is a draw for many, others complain it feels more like a show than a sacred experience. Loud music, strobe lighting, and high-energy production can make a church feel like a concert rather than a place of reverence. Critics worry that churches emphasize emotion and experience over substance and reflection. Some feel the stage presence and hype overshadow genuine worship, reducing spiritual depth to a performance. For those who value stillness or reverence, this modern style feels superficial and distracting.
Our thoughts: Currently, every member of our team has served as a leader on the worship team at our local church. We get it: it’s hard to balance excellence with authenticity. We know how spiritually shallow the Christian music industry can be, and how it can potentially abuse the emotional aspects of worship. While the bible is filled with emotional expressions of worship to God, it warns against performances relying purely on emotion and feeling (see Isaiah 29:13).
However, though sometimes the lyrical content and setting are questionable, the issue isn’t the programmed lights, the sequenced music, or the stage display. These become an issue when the worship isn’t rooted in spirit and truth (see John 4:23). The music isn’t the worship; the denial of self and putting God at the center of the stage is. Other than that, the music should be skillful (Psalm 33:3), the display should be beautiful (Exodus 31:1-5), and the performance should be thoughtfully and prayerfully organized (1 Corinthians 14:40).
4. Shallow, “Feel-Good” Teaching and Lack of Depth
A frequent criticism is that sermons in some non-denominational churches prioritize positivity over biblical depth. Messages are often described as motivational talks that avoid topics like sin, repentance, or discipleship. Sermons are short, “relevant,” and designed to keep everyone comfortable — which leaves many feeling spiritually undernourished. Over time, members express frustration that they “aren’t being fed,” craving deeper teaching and stronger engagement with Scripture. The focus on keeping people entertained or inspired often comes at the cost of meaningful growth.
Our thoughts: It’s ok to be short, relevant, and encouraging. However, God shared many words of warning to His people in the bible. Avoiding the hard stuff only does a disservice to those you are discipling. Our full opinion can be consolidated into one request: if you are a church leader responsible for delivering sermons, please let the Word of God be the foundation (and not the afterthought) of your message. Encouragement should never come at the expense of truth.
5. Superficial Community and Lack of Genuine Connection
Even in friendly churches, people often report that relationships remain surface-level. Members are nice on Sundays but rarely connect during the week. Newcomers find it hard to build real friendships or find support during personal struggles. Many describe years of attendance without feeling truly known. This creates what some call “friendly but friendless” churches — where there’s plenty of small talk but little genuine community. Attendees often leave searching for a place where they can form deeper, more authentic relationships.
Our thoughts: While you can’t force genuine connections, you can make it easier to find them. As church leaders, we should seek to create environments where finding authentic relationships is nearly frictionless. This is a big part of what “church” is supposed to be.
Many often mistake the church for a service, while it’s actually the community built outside of the service. When church leaders emphasize supporting small group culture (beyond lessons and attendance), create mentorship opportunities, and encourage mutual accountability, they create the space for every attendee to grow roots. The more they focus on it, the greater the retention (and the returns).
If you haven’t seen the pattern yet, here’s what we believe it to be. The overarching themes in these complaints are authenticity and transparency. We can replace the revolving door by having open dialogues about creating authentic, transparent, real spaces for personal growth and connection.
Want to see how we can partner together to build that kind of culture in your church? Visit getignitd.com and hit the Let’s Talk button on the homepage!