Surprising Insights - 9 Myths about the Unchurched - Pt I

Here's a summary of the next chapter in the book. 

Myth #1 Most unchurched think and act like Anglo, middle-class suburbanites with no church background

The study shows that the unchurched are a diverse group, and that people come into church for a variety of reasons from a variety of backgrounds.  We must not fall into the trap of stereotyping the unchurched.  

Myth #2 The unchurched are turned off by denominational names in the church name

Church names rank incredibly low on the range of factors influencing the unchurched to join.  81% of respondents say it did not influence their decision.  8% were uncertain and of the 11% who said the name influence their decision, two-thirds said that the denominational name was a positive influence.  This is probably less true in Australia, but worth investigating further.  If my local church is any guide, there is plenty of local community goodwill and lots of people who have a basically positive view of St Alfred's Anglican Church.  

Myth #3 The unchurched never attend church

On average the unchurched attend around one or two times a year.  The book highlights Christmas and Easter, but we might add baptisms, weddings and funerals as well.  Rainer says, 'Visitors do come - are we ready for them?'  In my experience, this is desperately correct!  Unchurched visitors come to a church for a variety of reasons, not least because someone they trust invites them.

Myth #4 The unchurched cannot be reached by direct personal evangelism

There is plenty of testimony from the interviewees of the impact of a personal visit from the pastor or a visiting team from the church, in which direct evangelism occurred, leading to conversion and their joining the church.  In the majority of stories recorded the visit happened within a month of their visit to the church (and presumably filling out a visitor’s card).  Of course we only hear the success stories - there would have been many failures.  By one calculation only 1 in 5000 who heard Whitfield and Wesley preach were converted.  It is my observation that our contemporary fear of rejection and public shame is the main thing that keeps us from proclaiming the Good News in season and out of season.