Why don't people come to chapel any more?

When I talk to folk I get two answers:

They no longer feel that they have to go.
It seems that a generation or so ago it was expected that people would attend service on Sunday. Folk feared the disapproval of their neighbours and so they were "church" or "chapel".
My feeling is that it is a good thing that people no longer feel pressurised into religious observance but a sad thing that they don't want to join in worship.

They have other things to do
In the past people often joined in for the social life of groups and clubs and activities.
The pub was the other social centre in the community but was "off limits" to the young and, sometimes, to "respectable" people as well.
These days there is just so much more to do, in the home and out of it, that everyone has more choices.
Young people in particular have all sorts of "social networks" and, not necessary a good thing, pubs are open longer hours for the rest of us.

But I think that there is a deeper answer:

They do not expect or experience the presence of God.

A hundred and more years ago, when chapel-going was required of respectable folk, they were looking out for God's presence. When a young Evan Roberts missed a prayer meeting he was asked by an Elder "What if the Spirit had fallen and you had been absent?"

In 1904 the same Mr Roberts called out for the blessing and the Spirit did fall on him and on many people in the chapels throughout Wales.

Faithful members experienced the reality and the presence of God and others were drawn into the loving fellowship to find grace and salvation.

When our churches and chapels are full of the vibrant presence of God then folk will want to come be part of those congregations of faith and we may well have to dust of those spare seats!