Surprising Insights - 9 Myths about the Unchurched - Pt II

Myth #6 The pastor must be a dynamic and charismatic leader for the church to reach the unchurched

Only 4% of the churches in the USA meet the definition of evangelistically-effective laid out for this study.  Of these, most of the pastors are not the mega-star ones whose names evangelical Christians would be familiar with.  Pastoral leadership was such an important factor that the entire latter half of the book deals with this.   

Myth #6 We must be careful in our teaching and preaching so that we do not communicate deep and complex biblical truths that will confuse the unchurched

91% of respondents indicated that doctrine was important in their decision to choose the church to join.  Interestingly, this was a slightly higher percentage than the 89% of transfer churched respondents (ie. Christians who transferred their membership).  My observation is that the world is not a simple place, and people - churched or unchurched - are looking for robust and coherent, not simplistic, answers.  

Myth #7 The Sunday School and other small groups are ineffective in attracting the unchurched

By Sunday School the study means the practice of holding Bible study classes on Sunday afternoons, after the morning service.  These often take the place of our mid-week Bible study small groups.  The Sunday School is for all age groups, highly organised, and syllabus driven.  They are, in effect, a means of providing Bible teaching in an organised age-appropriate setting.  An Australian equivalent might be the parachurch Bible Study Fellowship or a Bible overview course run in a local church.  

Myth #8 The most important evangelistic relationships take place in the marketplace

By marketplace the study means the place we spend most of our working time: work, university, school, neighborhoods, shops.  We might spend most of our time in the ‘marketplace’ but it ranks poorly as a fertile place for evangelism. 

When asked who was most significant in influencing their decision to come to church, the formerly unchurched ranked family members highest at 43%.  Next, in order, came ‘No one’ (25%), ‘Other’ (17%), ‘Coworker’ (8%), ‘Neighbour’ (6%) then ‘Merchant’ (2%).  Familial relationships were far and away the most significant.  

Of family relationships, wives were far and away the most significant (35%), children next (18%) then parents (9%) and siblings (5%).  Parents-in-law (2%) and other relations (9%) complete the list.  Husbands barely ranked.  

What this tells us is that marketplace evangelism is extremely difficult for a variety of reasons that we might speculate about.  It also indicates that churches would do well to develop an intentional strategy of equipping wives to evangelise their husbands.  

Myth #9 The unchurched are concerned only about their own needs

The study showed that the motivation of the unchurched for seeking out church or religious influence is complex and varied.  One-in-three respondents indicated that the desire to have religious influence in their children’s lives was the main factor for them.  Many also indicated altruistic motives, the desire to be challenged to make a difference.  

Some preaching tends to denigrate and condemn ‘the world’ and the unchurched, when in reality there is sin both inside and outside the church.  I’ve found that people appreciate it when I point this out in my preaching and teaching, and when I affirm what I can in the world while passionately defending my conviction that Jesus is the pinnacle of all wisdom and altruism and service.

Great MythBusting!  I’m looking forward to the rest of the book!