Pew Patterns: Why the Saints Are Sittin’, Switchin’, and Searchin’
Church isn’t what it used to be.
Not long ago, people picked a church, joined a church, and stayed in that church for decades. They raised their families there. They served, gave, and grew together.
But now?
People are sitting without serving.
They’re switching without staying.
They’re searching without settling.
And church leaders are feeling the weight of it all.
If you’re a pastor or ministry leader, you know this pain personally.
You plan, preach, and pour into people—only to watch them slowly drift away or leave suddenly without warning.
You ask yourself:
“What did I miss?”
“Did we fail them?”
“Are we the problem?”
That’s why I wrote Pew Patterns—to help leaders like you make sense of the shifting spiritual landscape and build churches where people don’t just attend… they belong.
What Is Pew Patterns?
Pew Patterns: Why the Saints Are Sittin’, Switchin’, and Searchin’ is a 4-in-1 guide for pastors and church leaders who are ready to lead with clarity in a time of confusion.
It dives deep into the four major types of church engagement today:
1. The Church Hopper – those who jump from one church to another
2. The Church Shopper – those who evaluate churches like products
3. The Church Dropper – those who quietly step away from attending altogether
4. The Church Rocker – the faithful, committed core who create spiritual momentum
Most churches have all four.
But too many are filled with Hoppers, Shoppers, and Droppers…
And not enough Rockers.
Why This Matters
Church leaders today are under tremendous pressure.
Many are tired.
Many are frustrated.
Some are ready to walk away.
And a big reason is this:
The people they’re leading are less consistent, less connected, and less committed than ever before.
Here’s what’s happening in many churches:
People attend once or twice a month… and think they’re fully committed.
Volunteers serve for a season… and then disappear.
New members join with excitement… and quietly fade away within the year.
It’s not always about a scandal or a conflict.
Sometimes… it’s just quiet disconnection.
And that’s what makes it so hard to detect—and so hard to address.
Pew Patterns Shows You What’s Really Going On
Inside the book, I don’t just describe what’s happening.
I explain why it’s happening.
You’ll learn:
• The cultural trends that are reshaping how people view church
• The five real reasons people hop, shop, and drop
• How family patterns and past wounds influence today’s churchgoers
• Why even mature believers are switching churches more than ever
• How shallow church culture unintentionally pushes people out
This isn’t about blaming people.
It’s about understanding patterns—so we can respond with wisdom.
Here’s What Each Section Covers
1. The Church Hopper
This section explores the lives of those who move from church to church without settling.
They’re not always flaky.
Sometimes they’re deeply spiritual—just not rooted.
They may be searching for depth, avoiding conflict, or following family patterns.
You’ll learn how to recognize the signs… and how to lovingly challenge them toward spiritual stability.
2. The Church Shopper
These are the ones who compare churches like products.
They’ve watched your livestream, scrolled your socials, and maybe even read your reviews.
They want great preaching, engaging worship, kids ministry, and a sense of belonging—immediately.
You’ll learn how to guide them from consumption to connection, helping them go beyond the checklist and toward commitment.
3. The Church Dropper
Droppers still love Jesus.
They just don’t love church anymore.
They’re the ones who quietly stop showing up… but still read their Bibles and listen to worship in their car.
They’ve been hurt.
They’ve been overlooked.
They’re spiritually active—but institutionally disconnected.
This section shows you how to build bridges, not barriers—how to meet them where they are, and gently guide them back into Christ-centered community.
4. The Church Rocker
This is what every pastor wants more of.
Church Rockers don’t make a lot of noise.
They don’t demand attention.
But they create spiritual momentum through steady presence, sincere faith, and sacrificial service.
This section helps you identify, invest in, and multiply these leaders—because they are the glue that holds your church together.
What You’ll Gain from Pew Patterns
This book was built for practical help and spiritual wisdom.
You won’t find fluff.
You’ll find frameworks, tools, and step-by-step strategies for real ministry growth.
You’ll walk away with:
A deeper understanding of why people come and go
Actionable steps to improve member engagement and retention
Clear systems for developing a culture of commitment
Insight into what your church might be doing to push people away
Tools to build a community where people want to stay
And most importantly:
You’ll rediscover hope.
Because the truth is God is still building His church.
And He’s inviting us to build with Him—wisely, patiently, and prayerfully.
This Isn’t Just a Book. It’s a Blueprint.
Pastors don’t need more pressure.
They need more perspective and more practical help.
That’s why Pew Patterns includes:
Leadership reflection questions
Engagement checklists
Exit interview templates
Small group discussion guides
Ministry assessments
Real-world case studies
It’s everything I wish I had when I started coaching church leaders.
And now, I’m putting it in your hands.
Let’s Build a Healthier Church Together
You don’t need a church filled with crowds.
You need a church filled with contributors.
You don’t need more attendees.
You need more anchors.
You don’t need to feel alone in this.
You need a guide who understands what you’re facing.
That’s what Pew Patterns is all about.
Here’s Your Next Step
If you’ve been frustrated, discouraged, or unsure how to navigate the new church landscape…
This is your resource.
This is your reset.
This is your roadmap.
Order Pew Patterns: Why the Saints Are Sittin’, Switchin’, and Searchin’ today, and get ready to:
✅ Diagnose unhealthy patterns
✅ Deepen commitment
✅ Develop faithful leaders
✅ Disciple people who stay
Because your church is worth fighting for.
And the future is still full of promise.
Let’s build better pew patterns—together.
Eric V Hampton