Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them

by Thom S. Rainer, Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth

• ISBN13: 9780310236481
• ISBN10: 0310236487
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-08-01
• Publisher: Harpercollins Christian Pub

Summary

We've read all the hot books on evangelism, we've attended scores of seminars-and still we're not reaching the unchurched. Eighty to ninety percent of churchless Americans will never darken our culturally relevant, seeker-sensitive doors. What are we missing? Maybe we've been asking the wrong people. Instead of consulting the unchurched masses, it's time we heard what the small but important minority who have recently begun attending a church have to say. What made the difference for them? What critical factors helped spark their faith in Jesus and drew them into the community of believers? Thom S. Rainer, dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth, shares the results and conclusions of his school's groundbreaking survey of the formerly unchurched. At last, here are proven insights into what evangelistically effective churches are doing right. Flying in the face of much contemporary wisdom, the answers will surprise you. This is truly one of the most valuable resources you can own as a church leader. Filled with charts, graphs, and other visual aids, plus an abundance of true-life accounts, this book explodes common myths about the unchurched. You'll discover Why pastors and doctrinal preaching are critical The enormous influence of family and relationships Which things matter more than we'd thought, and which matter less What causes visitors to return The traits of unchurched-reaching leaders How to preach effectively to the unchurched How to become a church for the unchurched And much, much more This eye-opening compendium of information includes reproducible appendices that can help you fine-tune or even restructure your church. From one of the nations foremost authorities on evangelism and church growth, here are insights and tools that will change the way you think of and deal with--and win--unchurched men and women who long to connect with God. Photocopyable material includes Unchurched-Reaching Readiness Inventory Church Health Survey

Table of Contents

List of Figures	13	(2)
Acknowledgments	15	(2)
Introduction: Meet Donna and Joe	17	(16)
PART ONE Listening to the Formerly Unchurched
Shattering Myths about the Unchurched	33	(20)
Pastors and Preaching Are Critical	53	(16)
Relationships That Click	69	(18)
Impressed by First Impressions	87	(20)
Why They Returned and Stayed	107	(18)
Doctrine Really Matters	125	(16)
PART TWO Leaders of Churches That Reach the Unchurched
A Profile of the Unchurched-Reaching Leaders	141	(16)
What Makes These Leaders Tick?	157	(16)
Raising Leadership Issues	173	(14)
An Honest Look at Their Personal Strengths and Weaknesses	187	(22)
Preaching that Connects with the Unchurched	209	(14)
Conclusion: To Become a Church for the Unchurched	223	(12)
Appendix 1: Cluster Questions for the Formerly Unchurched	235	(2)
Appendix 2: Leadership Survey	237	(14)
Appendix 3: Follow-up Cluster Questions for Leaders of Effective Churches	251	(2)
Appendix 4: Unchurched-Reaching Readiness Inventory	253	(6)
Appendix 5: Church Health Survey	259	(12)
Appendix 6: Research Design and Statistical Review	271	(4)
Notes	275	(4)
Name and Subject Index	279