Inside the Mind of the Unchurched

1
Inside the Mind of the Unchurched

• Source Kent Hunter, Lee Strobel, Tim Wright
  Strategies for Todays Leaders, Summer 1994.

2
Where to Excavate Our Cultures VABEs(Values,
Attitudes, Beliefs, Expectations)

• AOL, Yahoo!
• People mag, TV Guide, USA Today Life section
• Barnes and Noble sections on self-help and
  how-to
  
• Hang out with secular people

3
Five V.A.B.E.s of a Consumerism Culture

• 1. Innovation
• the new, up-to-date, and trendy
• 2. Instant Gratification and Pragmatism
• practical, user-friendly, connected with everyday
  life
  
• 3. Quality (excellence)
• 4. Intimacy
• relationships, acceptance, community
• 5. Contemporary Expressions
• especially music

4
15 Observations of Unchurched People

• 1. They have often rejected the church, but that
  doesnt necessary mean (to them) that they
  have rejected God.
  
• 2. They are morally adrift but secretly want an
  anchor.
  
• 3. They resist rules but respond to reasons.
• 4. They dont understand Christianity but are
  also ignorant about what they claim to believe
  in.
  
• 5. The have legitimate questions about spiritual
  matters but dont expect real answers from
  Christians.

5
15 Observations of Unchurched People

• 6. They dont ask, Is Christianity true? but,
  Does it work?
  
• 7. They dont want to know something but to
  experience it.
  
• 8. They dont want to be somebodys project, but
  friend.
  
• 9. They distrust authority but are receptive to
  authentic, holy leadership.
  
• 10. They are no longer loyal to denominations
  but are attracted to places where needs are
  met.
  
• 11. They are not joiners, but are hungry for a
  cause with which to connect.

6
15 Observations of Unchurched People

• 12. Even if not spiritually sensitive, they want
  their children to receive quality moral
  training.
  
• 13. They are confused about sex roles but dont
  know that the Bible can clarify for them what it
  means to be men and women.
  
• 14. They are proud to be tolerant of different
  faiths, but think that Christians are
  narrow-minded.
  
• 15. There is a good chance they would try church
  if a friend invited them.
  
• But the experience might do more harm than good
  if the church service reminds them of the boredom
  and irrelevance that prompted them to stop going
  to church in the first place.

7
Five things to keep in mind that when the
unchurched show up in our church ...

• 1. They dont understand our religious language.
• justification, sin, grace like a foreign
  language

8
Five things to keep in mind...

• 2. Guilt no longer motivates them.
• A generation raised on positive reinforcement
• Optimism, you-can-do-it

9
Five things to keep in mind ...

• 3. Sin is not their perceived issue.
• They think in terms of their hurts and needs
• Taking Care of Me
• Connecting
• Questing
• Individual Style

10
Five things to keep in mind...

• 4. They lack hope.
• Their optimism was tempered by high expectations
• 60s hopes failed to materialize
• family, society, financially
• need help with new vision

11
Five things to keep in mind...

• 5. They are on a spiritual quest.
• Are hungry for something to fill their spiritual
  emptiness
  
• Will look to and learn from trustworthy guides

12
How to Reach Out to the Unchurched Without
Compromising the Gospel

• Never, never, ever change the Good News of Jesus
  Christ!
  
• It is their only hope

13
Reach Out Without Compromising

• Be fixed on content and flexible on style
• While the song remains the same .
• 78s - 45s - albums - 8-track - cassette - CD
  DVD MP3
  
• Much of what turns the unchurched away is not the
  scandal of the cross but the lack of hospitality
  when we dont prepare for guests

14
After a stretch

• How to Connect without Compromising
• 10 Keys for your church

15
10 Keys for Connecting with the Unchurched

• 1. Build a safe, clean, facility.

16
10 Keys for Connecting with the Unchurched

• 2. Create a casual, non-threatening,
  come-as-you-are feel.

17
10 Keys for Connecting with the Unchurched

• 3. Post signs people to help a first-timer
  feel expected.
  

18
10 Keys for Connecting with the Unchurched

• 4. Offer a ministry that teaches and meets needs.

19
10 Keys for Connecting with the Unchurched

• 5. Major in preaching and speaking on what God
  is for.
  

20
10 Keys for Connecting with the Unchurched

• 6. Let thoughtfulness permeate all facets of
  ministry worship.

21
10 Keys for Connecting with the Unchurched

• 7. Dont press them to identify themselves or to
  give early on.

22
10 Keys for Connecting with the Unchurched

• 8. Let them take the initiative for deepening
  the relationship.
  

23
10 Keys for Connecting with the Unchurched

• 9. Translate your order language of worship.

24
10 Keys for Connecting with the Unchurched

• 10. Offer a note of hope!

25
For further study ...

• www.Willowcreek.org, www.vintagefaith.com
• Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary
  How to Reach Friends and Family Who Avoid God and
  the Church, Lee Strobel, Zondervan, 1993.
  
• How to Reach Secular People, George Hunter,
  Abingdon, 1992.
  

26
Inside the Mind of the Unchurched

• Dr. John P. Chandler
• Courageous Churches, Virginia Baptist Mission
  Board
  
• Chandler_at_vbmb.org
• Copy right John Chandler, 2003