Podcast Episode #437
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When Surprising Insights from the Unchurched released in the early 2000s, we didn’t realize nearly 20 years later that the research would still ring true. Today we discuss why it’s still applicable for churches in our day and age.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- Churches can reach the unchurched in any setting and in any culture.
- Even though you may have contextual difference, reaching people with the gospel is similar in any context.
- Church names aren’t as large of a determining factor with the unchurched as much as they are with transfer growth.
- The three biggest factors for reaching unchurched people are preaching, doctrine, and relationships.
- Pastoral contact dramatically increases church guest assimilation.
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Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Becoming a Welcoming Church.
Not long ago I came across a copy of *Surprising Insights…,* picked it up and was intrigued by the information. Since then, I’d been wondering if you had done any follow up on the data. This podcast answered that. Thanks.
Thanks for both reading and listening, Bill.
This is really a great post. I have listened to all of the Rainer on Leadership podcasts on my commute to work and I have immensely grown along with my church. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Morris. May your tribe increase!
I have witnessed the changes in my churches in 75 years. My husband was a part time Minister of Music and my son is a pastor today. Very few of my churches met the standards talked about in the pod cast today. Most were dying churches. Some are still clinging to life, but there has been little change over the years. I wonder how you view decipleship in the modern church. We bring the unchuched into the church but do not to outside the church to reach the lost in the community. I rememer the knock on doors and handing out tracks but it takes relationships. Any suggestions in this area of communication would be appreciated.
Sylvia –
Do a search on this site. We have hundreds of articles and podcasts on the topic.
This one was a surprise to me: “Pastoral contact dramatically increases church guest assimilation.” The impression I’ve gotten from church growth specialists (not necessarily this blog) is that people are turned off by pastoral contact. Maybe I misunderstood them (which certainly wouldn’t be a first in my case), but that is the impression I’ve gotten. If what you say is true, then it seems to me that pastors need to get back to some of the old-fashioned methods.
This was a great post / podcast!!!
Thank you for your help in making disciples of Jesus!
Best
Gary
Southern NH, USA
What struck me most was you saying, “Becoming a welcoming church.” In my experience, the problem hasn’t been about being a welcoming church at first. The problem is remaining a welcoming church. I have found it ti be a false/fake welcoming. Churches are dying, and they welcome you to fill the pews. But, if you happen to be single, a single mom, abuse victim, or any other “inferior” type, the welcoming stops soon after. If you emphasize evangelism and outreach, same thing. One is not allowed to speak up if one is in the inferior class. What really scares me with the Patterson scandal, is that this man had so much influence on future pastors for decades. The church has been terribly mislead by this person’s legalism and have forgotten WHO JESUS IS! All who have been saved, are saved by grace alone, not by works so that no man can boast. Thank you Dr. Rainer for your support for women and survivors of domestic violence! One of the most frequent causes of death to women is at the hands of a domestic partner or spouse. And the numbers of victims are the same in the church as outside of the church. I have been speaking on this issue in the church for years. Some listen, most don’t care. My pastors, however input domestic violence in their sermons now. It really starts by throwing the closet door open and talking about it. How many victims have been pushed out of the church and judged? More than anyone cares to admit. This surely grieves the Lord.
I read both books. Does your finding that it is not so much the type of music that attracted the formerly unchurched to a particular church but the quality of the music still hold true almost 20 years later? Do the formerly unchurched still conclude the quality of the music in the worship of a church shows it takes the worship of God seriously and does this conclusion still influence their decision to begin attending the church?
Step 1 of 5-Step Realville Ministry Model: Discover all the brighter tomorrows for which your fellowship has the potential in its setting via Marketing 1-type activities (e.g., demographic research, market surveys, even door-to-door interactions with zip code residents in Saddleback Church style [results: Saddleback Sam profile and a godly congregation designed to reach targeted area residents in “languages” they indicated they can understand if any Christian church chose to love them in those ways]). Hard work–but the essential first of five steps leading to success; to neglect it is to fail to grow biblically.
I’ve seen firsthand, things like a band or a cool pastor are much more likely to attract discontent transfers. Things like solid teaching and genuine Community are the key to attracting the unchurched.