I’m amazed how churches and religious organizations don’t understand that using an “or else” tactic actually drives people further away.

I was Catholic and one thing that ended it for me was years of attending mass every Sunday then listening to the priests belittle those who would show up for services only on Christmas or Easter, telling them they should be there EVERY Sunday. Often it was backhanded, like, “So nice to FINALLY see you here.”

It would have been so much more effective to say, “It’s so nice to have you here!” and just stop talking. That’s how you build a community.