Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them

Thom S. Rainer

Zondervan, Feb 24, 2008 - Biography & Autobiography - 288 pages

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 enter 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 Rainer shares results and conclusions of this groundbreaking survey of the formerly unchurched. At last, here are proven insights into what evangelistically effective churches are doing right. Filled with charts, graphs, and other visual aids, plus an abundance of true-life accounts, this book explodes myths about the unchurched. You will discover: - Why pastors and doctrinal preaching are critical - The enormous influence of family and relationships - Which things matter more than we thought, and which matter less - The traits of unchurched-reaching leaders - How to become a church for the unchurched

About the author

Thom S. Rainer is the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. He served at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for twelve years where he was the founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism. Rainer graduated from the University of Alabama in 1977. He earned his Master of Divinity and Ph.D. degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to speaking in hundreds of venues, Rainer led Rainer Group, a church and denominational consulting firm, from 1990 to 2005. Rainer is the author of twenty-two books, including Breakout Churches, Simple Life, Simple Church, Raising Dad, The Millennials, and Essential Church. His book, I Am a Church Member, hit #1 on the CBA best-seller list.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them
• Author: Thom S. Rainer
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Zondervan, 2008
• ISBN: 0310286131, 9780310286134
• Length: 288 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Religious; Religion / Christian Living / Personal Growth; Religion / Christian Living / Spiritual Growth; Religion / Christian Ministry / Evangelism; Religion / Christian Ministry / Missions; Religion / Christianity / Pentecostal & Charismatic; Religion / Comparative Religion; Religion / Theology