In conducting research that resulted in
his classic book, High Expectations,
Dr. Thom Rainer interviewed more than 4,000 churches and more than 1,000
individuals on what it took to reach people and how to keep them
coming. A highlight of the study was interviews with 350 people who
have joined a church within one year who were previously
unchurched. They gave keen insight on what it took to reach them and
what it takes to keep them coming. Here are the results:
1.
Habit
of Intentionality: Simply put, growing churches plan to grow. They have an
intentional plan of sharing the gospel. This habit extends to even
the seemingly inconsequential. Research showed that people picked a
church because of neat restrooms and clean preschool areas. Some
people drove away from a church because it did not have adequate signage
indicating where to park (for seniors, handicapped, parents with babies, etc.)
and where the worship center was.
2.
Habit
of Cultural Awareness: Reaching churches understood the culture of the people they were
trying to reach, particularly the “Baby Boomers” (born 1946 – 64), the
“Busters” (born 1965-77), and the “Bridgers” (born 1977 –
94). Studies show that 65% of the generation before the “Boomers”
are Christians whereas only 4% of the “Bridgers” claim Christ as their
Savior. Reaching churches plan ministries that will reach this
unchurched generation.
3.
Habit
of High Expectations: Rainer says that there is a direct correlation between how much is
demanded of a new member and how long the new member stays active in the
church. “Churches that expect much receive much,” he said. “Churches
that expect little receive little.” Required new member classes are
common in growing churches.
4.
Habit
of Clear Doctrine: Rainer
said the formerly unchurched told the researchers, “We want to hear about the
doctrine on the front end. We’re not going to make a commitment to a
church where you will tell us about what you believe later.” This
could be in the form of a written document, or through new members classes,
Sunday school lessons, or sermons.
5.
Habit
of Risk Taking: “We
see very few churches across America that truly act on faith,” Rainer said.
“The risk-taking attitude of these churches is obvious by their willingness to
lose members. They do not make decisions based upon who might leave
as a result of this. They make decisions more on: Who will we
reach?”
6. Habit
of Dynamic Small Groups: Rainer
said that prior to his team’s research he had bought into the belief that
Sunday School was on the decline. But among the formerly unchurched,
68% are involved in Sunday School. What is different between Sunday
Schools of effective churches and those of ineffective
churches? “There tends to be an expectation that you are involved in
ministry through that Sunday School class in effective churches,” Rainer said,
“Unhealthy Sunday Schools are inward focused – they only care about themselves. Healthy
Sunday Schools are constantly looking beyond themselves.”
7.
Habit
of Effective Leadership: “As
the leadership of the church goes, so the rest of the church tends to go,”
Rainer said. “If the pastor is not doing it (involved in personal
evangelism), then it is highly unlikely that you’ll see a congregation reaching
the unchurched.
8.
Habit
of Effective Preaching: Among
effective churches, pastors spent an average of 20 hours a week on
sermons-including the task itself. Among ineffective churches,
pastors spent an average of four hours. “That means that something
has to give (in their schedule),” Rainer said. “What do they
become? They became Acts 6 pastor. What do Acts 6 pastors
do? They delegate and give away ministry (assignments).”
9.
Habit
of prayer: Rainer
said that churches that prayed together and prayed often kept their new
members. Often, he said, church member would call up the new members
and say, “We are praying specifically for you.” Prayer ministries
were operational and emphasized in 83 percent of the effective churches.
THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….
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