The news seems to be everywhere. After 15 seasons, "American Idol" is ending.

Remember in the early 2000s when American Idol dominated the TV schedule? It was talked about in business, entertainment and even on the news.

By the time Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson battled it out in the first season's finals, almost 23 million people tuned in. "A Moment Like This," the song Clarkson sang that evening, pushed The Beatles out of their spot for the biggest leap to number one song on the Billboard Hot 100.

Everyone understood the premise of the show, whether they watched it or not. "American Idol" was the king of the airways.

Then, Reuben Studdard and Clay Aiken rocketed to the top in the second season. People regularly talked about the contestants, and we instantly became armchair music critics. Simon Cowell was hated. Or loved. Copycat shows sprung up everywhere and saturated the market. "Discover a singing artist" shows weren't unique anymore.

Slowly, "American Idol" became more about the judges' drama than the contestants. Ratings started to slide, show schedules were reduced. Then, the cancellation announcement was made. The reaction? "Is 'American Idol' still on? Seriously, it's still going?"

The show's ratings have dropped to a low of just over 5 million. In national TV terms, "American Idol" was reaching no one.

Church in America is similar. About 4,000 churches close their doors permanently every year in the US. A "for sale" sign goes up in front of a former church on a busy street corner. The reaction? "I wonder what's going in that building. What was in there before?"

Church attendance used to be part of the American fabric. We'd build communities around the church structure. Everyone could freely talk about church culture, and people would understand.

Slowly, the community stopped relying on the church. The world created alternatives to what we seemed to offer. People's lives got busy, and we didn't notice. As churches closed, we'd assimilate the leftover people and brag about our growth.

Our church communication is aimed at the low-hanging fruit. We simply try to attract the people who are disgruntled with their church or looking for a fun, new worship experience.

We lost our audience and barely noticed. Now research is showing the slide. The culture has forgotten us. Because we've forgotten them.

Let's start using our church communications to actually become known for reaching out to our community — where they are. It's not about the ministry leaders (and your/their drama). It's about the community's needs.