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Monday, September 8, 2008

Unchurched Next Door


I just finished a book entitled The Unchurched Next Door. (<--Link brings up amazon's listing). It is based on a research project which sought to gain insights into the thoughts and attitudes of our nation's unchurched population. The team categorized these non-Christians based on their level of receptiveness to the gospel. Then they tried to find common threads in these groups that would help you and I in our efforts to witness to the lost. That is one area that I am woefully weak, and I know alot of you are as well. I don't even know who you are. I just know you're weak in witnessing. The overarching point of the book is this: say something. There are numerous stories from poeple who were searching for someone to share with them, or to just invite them to church. It is difficult to read accounts of these people dropping hints to their coworkers, hoping they would invite them, or just explain the whole Jesus thing to them. The overwhelming majority of the interview sample said that they were at least somewhat likely to come to church if someone invited them, and either picked them up or met them there. Most are just too intimidated to enter a church for the first time. I was intimidated visiting unfamiliar churches here in Fort Worth... and I'm in seminary! Anyway, it's an easy read that really opens your eyes to what's going on in the heads of those we're not reaching. Check it out