study of formerly unchurched Americans. What made them come to a church? What made them stay? The answers to these questions gave us insight into the mind of an unchurched person and gave us guidance in reaching the unchurched.
Keys to Attracting the Unchurched
1. What Makes Them Come?
We found that the reasons the formerly unchurched chose a particular church were complex. But while the teaching and doctrine of the pastor are a leading factor for selecting a church, relationships play a pivotal role in reaching the unchurched and helping make their first church visit.
We found that almost five out of ten of the formerly unchurched indicated that family members were essential in their choice of a church. Another one of four said that relationships other than family members brought them to church. That means that 73 percent (38 percent plus 25 percent) of those we interviewed told us about the importance of a relationship in their choice of a church. Although our study affirms how important relationships are in reaching the unchurched.
2. Living Example of “Relationships Plus”
Tammy D. is a fairly new Christian; she accepted Christ four months prior to our interview. Due to a time of great danger in her life, Tammy was looking for relief and answers. She started looking for a church (even though she barely had attended church in her lifetime.
The week after Easter another major crisis took place in Tammy’s life. That same evening the pastor and a woman from the church visited her, unaware that Tammy’s husband had died earlier in the day.
“Their visit was like seeing two angels walk through the door,” Tammy reflected. Shortly after the funeral, the same woman from the church asked Tammy to lunch.
Tammy, though a new Christian, was hesitant to go to a church on a normal basis. “Look,” she said, “I knew very little about church. It just wasn’t the life I was used to.”
That problem was solved when she discovered that a friend had started attending the same church. “I felt braver going with a friend,” Tammy told us. They continued to attend, as they found the church members to be friendly.
But what sealed Tammy’s decision to join the church was the pastor’s preaching. “His sermons are very deep but easy to understand. He is always able to hold my attention,” she related.
So, what is the main factor that moved Tammy from the unchurched to the churched? Here are a few to consider:
Several crises and challenges in her life
The in-home visit of the pastor and church member
The big event of the Easter service
The personal evangelistic witness of a church member
The friendliness of the church members
The preaching of the pastor
True, Tammy’s story is not usual, but then again, we hardly spoke to any of the formerly unchurched who had a “typical” story. We cannot offer common explanations to describe the pilgrimage of a person from the ranks of the unchurched to the churched. But, we can see that in most cases, when it comes to reaching the unchurched.
3. Relationships Are Only Part of the Answer
While the interest of a pastor or relationships are key to bringing someone in the door of a church, the reasons people stay at a church are very different. Our study asked, “What kept you involved in a church?” We found that a combination of ministry involvement, Sunday school and obedience to God topped the list of reasons in reaching the unchurched. Again, while we can’t discount the value of fellowship, the formerly unchurched told us that their service and ministry in the church kept them coming back each week more than any other factor.
blogpay
