Surprising Insights from the Unchurch..., Thom S. Rainer
Surprising Insights from the Unchurch..., Thom S. Rainer
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Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them

Author: Thom S. Rainer

Narrator: Don Reed

Unabridged: 6 hr 19 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Zondervan

Published: 12/16/2008


Synopsis

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 discoverWhy pastors and doctrinal preaching are criticalThe enormous influence of family and relationships Which things matter more than we’d thought, and which matter lessWhat causes visitors to returnThe traits of unchurched-reaching leadersHow to preach effectively to the unchurchedHow to become a church for the unchurchedAnd much, much moreThis 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 includesUnchurched-Reaching Readiness InventoryChurch Health Survey

About Thom S. Rainer

Thom S. Rainer (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. He was founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and, Church Growth at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His many books include Surprising Insights from the Unchurched, The Unexpected Journey, and Breakout Churches.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Stephen on January 11, 2021

A fellow elder recommended this book to me, and it did not at all disappoint. Concerned that such a large majority of unchurched people will never enter the doors of a church, Rainer asked the question, "What if we asked new Christians and new church members what led them to the Savior and to the ch......more

Goodreads review by Skyler on April 05, 2021

I doubt many mainline ministers such as myself pick up this book, but honestly there are some good observations in it to help connect new people to church. Also, some sloppy research and lots of bad theology which i disagree with. I’m glad I listened to it despite dismissing about 30% of the content......more

Goodreads review by Joshua on July 10, 2012

EXCELLENT excellent excellent. I don't have enough stars for this book either. Every pastor should read this book. If we want to reach our culture with the Gospel, we must be students of the culture, and we must understand and know who we are talking to. This book focuses on those who have recently......more

Goodreads review by Michael on October 26, 2015

An insightful book about how to reach unchurched people. A very good reminder about how unchurched people think about ministry and the church. We must be willing to change and think as the unchurched if are to prayerfully reach the lost today. Our communities are vast mission fields. This does not m......more

Goodreads review by T.M. on September 06, 2016

Enjoyed reading this book. Really makes you consider your own actions in terms of how you're working to reach the unchurched, and assess your church's potential for the same.......more