Growing Kentucky’s Churches From the Outside In David Kinnaman The Barna Group, Ltd. 2004

the “window” you look through determines your conclusions

Windows to the Unchurched World  Church background  Religious commitment  Theological views  Views about the Bible  Spiritual engagement

Windows to the Unchurched World  Church background –81% are de-churched –43% were churched in last 5 years –42% previously Baptist  Religious commitment  Theological views  Views about the Bible  Spiritual engagement

Windows to the Unchurched World  Church background  Religious commitment –82% identify as Christian –67% have made commitment to Christ –30% are born again Christians –2 in 3 say they will go to Heaven when the die  Theological views  Views about the Bible  Spiritual engagement

KY’s “Christianized" Unchurched

Windows to the Unchurched World  Church background  Religious commitment  Theological views –More likely than U.S. unchurched average to embrace biblical beliefs –But syncretism (faith blending) still rampant  Views about the Bible  Spiritual engagement

Windows to the Unchurched World  Church background  Religious commitment  Theological views  Views about the Bible –90% own a Bible; 59% believe the Bible is inspired, has no errors (U.S. avg: 39%)  Spiritual engagement

Windows to the Unchurched World  Church background  Religious commitment  Theological views  Views about the Bible  Spiritual engagement (last month) –Prayed – 85% –read the Bible – 45% –visited website for worship experience – 8% –Attended house church – 7%

Who Are the Unchurched?  How they think of themselves –Moral – 87% –Satisfied with life – 70% BUT… –Stressed out – 48% –Looking for a few good friends – 45% –Needs – health, finances, career, parenting, relationships –8% make decisions based upon biblical principles

Who Are the Unchurched?  Demographics –Compared to churchgoers, the unchurched are younger, more educated, politically moderate, less married –But diverse! –Less likely to participate in community –High number of divorcees (37%)

Who Are the Unchurched?  Why they avoid churches –1 in 2 - lack of relevance No time, nothing there, not sure, lazy, just don’t go –1 in 11 - cannot attend; health or transportation –1 in 16 - church not necessary –1 in 16 - beliefs are different –1 in 17 - bad experiences –1 in 17 - in transition, looking for church –1 in 17 - don’t like churchgoers –1 in 20 - family conflicts

Bottomline  The unchurched are a diverse audience who require diverse means of connection

Common Misconceptions  Perceptions of Christianity –Indifference, punctuated by ambivalence –Indifference most common among young adults –Gap: churchgoers feel more genuine than perceived  Reactions to Southern Baptist “brand” –“just” 22% have specific concerns about SBC  Referring to the unchurched

What to Call the Unchurched

What They Want in a Church DimensionOption% Church size100 or fewer52% % Music styleHymns41% Contemporary17% AccompanimentChoir/organ36% Worship leader/band21% Service styleFormal37% Informal21%

What They Want in a Church DimensionOption% ParticipationHigh – throughout service47% Low – watch leaders19% What about kids?Services with kids49% Without kids20% Congregational response Raise hands, applaud, etc.36% Reserved and orderly30% SermonAddresses issues, concerns40% Studying specific book22%

Five Challenges Facing KBC 1. Comparatively high unchurched rate

Five Challenges Facing KBC 1. Comparatively high unchurched rate 2. “Recycled” Christians 3. “Recycled” Baptists 4. A new world emerges – generational shifts among Busters and Mosaics (under 40) 5. The paradox of reaching the never churched

Conclusions  Affirmation of conventional wisdom –Be there at point and time of need –Your church’s vision matters –Your context matters –Partner with other churches –Evaluate how welcoming and genuine you are –Carefully train your laity –Teach at multiple levels, to various audiences

What It Means for Your Ministry  Renewed focus on discipleship  Developing evaluation process and customized spiritual development tracks  Socratic evangelism  Child evangelism  New models

Growing Kentucky’s Churches From the Outside In David Kinnaman The Barna Group, Ltd. 2004

What They Want in a Church DimensionOption% Emphasis of church Leading people to Christ33% Teaching the Bible26% Serving the needy20% Friendships among believers10% Entry PointsWorship service43% Events20% Community outreach 8% Sunday school 7% Pastoral class 7% Home group 4%