What is actually drawing people into a particular church? Is it the contemporary worship music? Is it a seeker sensitive church, with an emphasis on visual arts like drama and multimedia? If you think you know the answers, you may want to read this book first. Thom Rainer and his team of researchers decided to ask people who had recently started attending church what made them come and what made them stay. The result: Surprising Insights from the Unchurched, a fascinating look into the mind of what Rainer calls the 'unchurched.'
All of Rainer's conclusions are statistically documented, and illustrated with graphs, charts, and even maps. He and his team asked some 350 formerly unchurched people various questions about their experience and what got them where they are now. The answers will likely shatter a few myths that Christians hold concerning the unchurched, and the way to reach out to them. Learn what is important to them, and you will be able to reach out to them more effectively.
Rainer takes the research further than simple statistics about the unchurched though. He also profiles leaders at churches which are effective in reaching out to the unchurched. He calls these churches 'effective evangelistic churches,' which means that they have at least 26 conversions per year, and a conversion ratio (members:annual conversion) of less than 20:1 (the national average is, at 85:1, sobering to say the least). Through Rainer's research, you can learn the characteristics of effective leaders, and catch the vision that they share for evangelism. He includes several appendices to help you gain this vision, and to get your church where it can be effective. The appendices are: questions for the formerly unchurched; a leadership survey; follow-up questions for effective leaders; an unchurched-reaching readiness inventory; a church health survey; and an objective research design and statistical review.
If you are already doing the things Rainer has found to be effective, praise God, and keep doing it. If you are not sure where to start, begin by building on the sure foundation of Rainer's work. And if you need to refocus your energies, this book is a great impetus. A book for all Christians, but especially church leaders, Surprising Insights from the Unchurched, will teach us how to reach out to the unchurched and how to make them feel welcomed and loved. Don't delay, buy it now.
