at vandalia presbyterian in eensboro, north carina pastor mark sandlin is well aware of how much has changed. so he spent his recent three-month sabbatical trying to understand why, by doing something he'd never done before. he quit going to church. >> parts of it i didn't miss. i wish i did. i really didn't. >> reporter: that surprise you? >> it surprised me very, very deeply. i was a happier person, um -- and part of that was getting removed from the dogma, getting removed from what really is some judgmental-ness that goes on in churches at times. it made a lot of spa fomy spirituality to grow and some happiness to -- to enter into that space. i think we need to do work on that in churches, um, to create better space and handle relationships in a healthier way. >> we confess that we do wish to love everyone, and we try to love everyone -- >> reporter: many churches recognize their survival is at stake if they can't broaden their appeal. some have changed the way they worship or their service times to fit today's lifestyles, but ultimately, the role of the ordained pastor may need t