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‘Back to Church’ Campaign to Woo ‘De-churched” and ‘Un-churched’

Orginally published on Tuesday, August 04, 2009 at 9:12 AM
by Todd Rhoades


Is this a good idea? (The people in the logo sure look happy to be back in church!)

As millions of Americans head back to school, organizers of a new faith-based outreach campaign hope that millions more will come back to church as well.

The "Back to Church Sunday" campaign (http://www.backtochurch.com) from San Diego-based Outreach Inc. makes it easy for church members to invite their friends and family by creating a worship service specifically geared toward visitors.

The program kicks off with national "Back to Church Sunday" on Sept.13 aimed at reaching the "un-churched" and "de-churched"-- people who used to go to church, but don't any more.

The campaign is based on a simple idea. If you ask un-churched people to come with you to church--mostly likely they'll say yes.

LifeWay Research, an arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, found that 82 percent of un-churched people surveyed said that they’d be open to visit a church, if a friend or family member invited them.

Unfortunately, said Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay, few church members invite their friends and neighbors. “Only two percent of church members invite an un-churched person to church,” he says. “Ninety-eight percent of churchgoers never extend an invitation in a given year.”

While most Americans say they believe in God, and many tell pollsters that they attend church regularly, only about 20 percent of Americans actually show up in church on Sunday, according to the “The American Church in Crisis,” a recent study of church attendance.

Organizers say most people who drop out of church haven’t lost their faith in God. Instead, they fell out of the habit of churchgoing. Some moved or had another change in life circumstances, or had a falling out with their former church and simply drifted away. Most often, life simply became too busy.

That means they are open to returning to church.

“Many de-churched people are a simple re-invitation away,” says Mark Batterson, of the National Community Church in Washington, D.C.

Inviting newcomers is only part of the campaign. The other part is getting the church ready for them to show up. Outreach has put together several tools to help churches prepare for visitors.

A free downloadable planning guide offers advice on everything from sermon planning to instructions for greeters. Churches are asked to plan for the program and to make sure their buildings are visitor friendly. They’re also encouraged to pay attention to small details--like clear signage and clean bathrooms–that are important to visitors.

“When people come to church for the first time, or come back after a long absence, they notice everything,” says Nelson Searcy, lead pastor of The Journey in New York City. “In fact, most of them form innate judgments about the environment within seven seconds of walking through the door.”

Organizers point out that returning to church is a process. “Rebuilding trust with this group is essential, and building trust requires authenticity and consistency,” says the campaign-organizing guide. “Otherwise, your returning guests may feel that you have tried a ‘bait and switch.’”

Along with the campaign planning guide and an interactive Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/backtochurch), Outreach has put together a “Rethink Church” booklet, addressing the 10 top reasons why people drop out of church, along with videos, articles and other resources. The booklet addresses common objections such as, “I don’t believe in organized religion,” “Church is boring,” and “Christians are judgmental and hypocritical.”

“Back to Church Sunday has the potential to be a day that changes the future course of someone’s life,” says Chad McCallum, lead pastor of Compass Church in Byron Center, Mich. “In a world where so many people fall into the definition of ‘de-churched,’ this is a doable effort for any church that wants to reach more people for Christ.”

Good idea?  Will people respond?  My thought:  Some might… most probably won’t.


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  There are 46 Comments:

  • Posted by

    This post is sort of an echo of the older post about, “Why Johnny College Isn’t Going to Church.” The reasons for why people aren’t coming as listed in this article are about the same.  But, the goal here in bringing the, “de-churched,” and, “un-churched,” into churches, and their list of recommendations, illustrates more of the problems with this consumer mindset and the real motivations people should have in coming to church (clean bathrooms?). 

    I also believe that that survey from LifeWay doesn’t paint the complete picture.  Although 82% of people would be receptive to the idea of going to church if asked, how many of them actually went when they were asked?  My guess is that it would be in the teens or less.  Even Bill Hybels used to joke about a, “waiting bench,” out in the front of his church for people who invited friends, family, and coworkers to church, only to never see them show up.

    It hate to say it, but I read a quote the other night from Charles Spurgeon where he essentially said, “Don’t fill up your churches with lost people who will instead adversely affect your true worship to God.” I’ll have to look through that book again tonight to locate it, but with all of this information about who is going to church and for what reasons, I think it’s time we reexamine our modern ecclesiology.

    --
    CS

  • Posted by

    I would love my church to be filled with non believers.  Overflowing in fact.  It is the most effective way to reach people since the first century.  Start new churches.  Bring people, highway and byways. 

    People need Jesus!  plain and simple.  The church is God’s way to reach them.  Personally, corporately…

    Every Sunday, we worship God with joy and anticipation.  Every Sunday we open our bible and look at something that is sharper than a two edged sword and can judge the thought and intentions of the heart. 

    Every week we see people who were lost and now are found, grateful to God and using their gifts.  Every week we see people sing songs of proclamation to the greatness of our God. 

    Sunday is an awesome day to have pre-believers there as we so convincingly celebrate and worship one who is the only way.

    When my daughter brings her friends over to our house whose families are in disarray, we love that.  It is an opportunity to show them how a healthy family works together.  This is also true of the church. 

    So keep your Spurgeon quote, I am not buying it.

  • Posted by Brian L.

    CS,

    I agree that “clean bathrooms” shouldn’t be the reason people come to church, but it is a real issue nonetheless.

    For someone checking out a church, most people, especially ladies, check three things: the lobby, the bathrooms, and the nursery.  If any of these things are out of whack (unclean, too crowded, nursery understaffed), they won’t be back.

    Maybe that seems shallow, but would it hurt a church to make sure these things are taken care of so that this barrier won’t exist in that church?

    If a parent is too worried about their child not being adequately taken care of in the nursery, chances are they won’t even hear the message from the pulpit.  Being in a dirty bathroom creates the same kind of mindset.

    As you have said to me privately, a lot of things I would label as being seeker-sensitive are really common-sense issues of courtesy and such.

    I think being intentional about these things shows you care for those outside of the current group.

    As for inviting people who never show up, I avoid that altogether by offering to pick them up.  That usually works well, because then the time is set and I am there.  I’m rarely turned down when I offer.

    It can get a little tense if they’re not ready when I come to get them, though, since I’m the pastor and it’s not real cool to be late to the service!

    I continue to appreciate you, brother.

  • Posted by

    With 98% of “church-goers” never inviting anyone to church and only 2% regularly share their faith with others, is it any wonder why the “Church” in America is in such apostacy?

    Sermon planning? What? We now have to preach sermons that the “unchurched” will enjoy? That would be easy...tell them to watch Joel Osteen.  They’ll love his sermons. Now I know I might seem a little off base but how about we actually preach the Gospel in the pulpit so that sinners would understand the exceeding sinfulness of sin so that they might cry out to God “What must I do to be saved?!”

    Then, (again I know I’m going out on a limb here) how about the true Church take that Gospel outside the four walls and preach it to their communities all the while enduring the promised persecution for their faithfulness and praising God for the opportunity to suffer for Christ.  Thank God that Paul, Peter, Phillip, John, Jude, James, Polycarp, Whitfield, Edwards, Spurgeon and the like didn’t wait for the lost to walk into the church buildings. 

    How about we invite everyone we know to our churches knowing that our pastor will preach the classic “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God!” You want to see revival?  That’ll get it done...not to mention clearing out the luke-warm thus allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to work through the Church in America to impact our country and culture....Yeah, you’re probably right...I am crazy!

    How

  • Posted by Peter Hamm

    There are enough barriers between pre-believers or lapsed nominal Christians and God without us making more.

    For that reason and others, I have no problem with serving and working in a church that intentionally crafts its services and environment to be non-threatening (I didn’t say message, btw) to believers in and of themselves.

    It’s why we don’t do many hymns, it is why we pick the Bible translation we do, it’s why we use the language we do, it’s why I wear blue jeans on stage.

    I’d rather serve in a church that a pre-believer or such would feel welcome than one designed specifically so that they will not.

  • Posted by Peter Hamm

    Oops..

    In the second paragraph, I meant to say…

    For that reason and others, I have no problem with serving and working in a church that intentionally crafts its services and environment to be non-threatening (I didn’t say message, btw) to NON-believers in and of themselves.

  • Posted by

    Slightly tangential, but I’ve noticed a piece of language that two of you used in your comments that I’ve also been hearing from other locations more and more recently:  “Pre-believer,” or, “Pre-Christian.”

    I’m curious--from where has this colloquialism come?  Does anyone know who started using it?  I’ve only seen it arise in the last year or so.

    The reason I ask is because I hear it being used in situations to describe people who are saved and lost.  But the word, “pre-believer,” is not accurate for describing those people.  While some of those people may indeed become believers, most of them (at least, according to the Bible) will not become Christians.  So when we label someone as a, “pre-Christian,” in the hopes that that person may indeed be a Christian--just not yet--we are putting a false title and image of who that person may be.

    I’m a stickler, I know, but I think we should stick with the old words that more accurately paint the picture, like, “saved,” and, “lost.” Or, “believer,” and, “non-believer.” Because even a person who is lost or not a believer may yet be changed or remain the same.

    --
    CS

  • Posted by Peter Hamm

    I’m sure others can lay claim to it, but I just started using it out of thin air years ago to describe somebody who doesn’t believe yet but will one day… it’s my way of being optimistic about them, my way of trusting that God still reaches people, and is not meant to be any kind of theologically-weighted term.

    I use it in conversations like ours to remind us that we are hopeful that folks we try to reach with the Gospel will indeed often be changed by God. Don’t read too much into it.

  • Posted by CindyK

    I was once un-churched.  In fact I was un-Christian.  grin

    I’m very glad that someone asked me to church.  They asked me, and asked me and asked me.  Finally I went.

    I did not find a ‘seeker sensitive’ sermon.  In fact it slapped me in the face, and conviction strangled my heart.  I cried and cried.  I left there full of questions and feeling utterly confused.

    Then I came back, again and again.  Because I was not getting any kind of watered down Gospel.  I came back because I had searched for the truth for so long.

    One day I went up front and accepted Jesus as my savior. 

    I once WAS lost - and now I’m found.

    I love this idea.  Get them into church!  If even only one is saved, wasn’t it worth the effort?

  • Posted by

    CS, I have used this language for years now.  It comes from spending 11 years as a missionary and the hope filled approach I have that when people see Christ lifted, that will come. 

    It is not meant to replace the idea of being lost or saved.  I use this language in many circles.  I just spoke to a 14 year old girl who said; “I am almost ready to become a Christian, I just need to make sure I understand the cost.” She is a pre-believer.  She has said I will come, I am just making sure I understand. 

    You are right, you are a stickler.  : )

  • Posted by Brian L.

    Christopher,

    I don’t think anyone here advocates preaching sermons just so unbelievers would “enjoy” them.

    I think all of us would advocate preaching sermons that unbelievers would understand, however, using terms and Bible translations that are in line with how people actually speak and think nowadays, just like Jesus did.

    I did not grow up in church and so when I actually starting hearing about my real need for Christ, I needed to hear it in a language I actually understood.

    I would also submit that most, if not all of us, preach the gospel, complete with admonitions to repentance from sin and calling on Jesus for forgiveness and a home in heaven.  This was my sermon just this past Sunday.  And I bring it into most of my messages anyway.

    As for Edward’s sermon, it almost sounds like you believe it’s the sermon that “gets the job done,” rather than the unction of the Holy Spirit working through the Scriptures in the hands of the preacher.  I’m guessing you don’t really believe that, though.

    I applaud your zeal for souls and revival, brother.

  • Posted by

    Far too many people stand and debate the best way to reach drowning poeple and while they debate many drown.

    What would make this conversation fun would be for us to carefully move away from the judgment or dissection of others ecclesiology and a discussion to what you are doing.  Sort of like an lder post, we critiqued discipleship but we are asked if we actually disciple others, the silence was deafening. 

    I do not do seeker services, but we do very non traditional services.  I operate under the premise, If people see an authentic act of worship, some will come to Christ.  We are unashamedly biblical in our teaching, openly excited about celebrating the goodness of our Maker. 

    We speak in current language, give context to scripture, make sure we are not confusing as to what we do… (sitting, standing, kneeling, communion, lifting hands...)

    Our last few series titles for preaching
    Everybody Plays - Expository sermon series from Ephesians

    That Little Voice - Bringing that little voice under the control of God’s voice in your finances.

    Sound of Hope - Discovering the hope God’s voice brings to each of us.

    RYB - Read Your Bible - self explanatory. 

    Back to Ephesians and everybody plays…

    These are not seeker, but they are certainly spoken in a way that is understandable and able to be used by others.

  • Posted by

    Leonard:

    “What would make this conversation fun would be for us to carefully move away from the judgment or dissection of others ecclesiology and a discussion to what you are doing.  Sort of like an lder post, we critiqued discipleship but we are asked if we actually disciple others, the silence was deafening. “

    While I believe that the ecclesiology is far more important, I’ll play.

    This weekend I taught a class about evangelizing using the, “Law & Grace,” method.  Many people had no idea that it was so easy to open the doors to share the Gospel with someone, and the people who organized the class said that many, many people enjoyed it and provided great feedback.  I also was questioned by several people after the class with some, “how to,” questions and great conversation.

    And (tying this back with ecclesiology), they got an understanding in how someone who is not convicted of their sins would not understand, appreciate, or even get the concept of Grace (1 Corinthians 1:18), which is why bringing the lost to church is not one of the better strategies to use for evangelism.

    --
    CS

  • Posted by

    Is this the WOTM method by Ray Comfort? 

    Thanks for playing.  at Least for a few minutes.  : )

  • Posted by

    I think an interesting discussion would be about the difference between the “unchurched” and the “dechurched”.

    Our community is very new age and in a resort area.

    Sometimes I’m not sure if our demographics are due to where we live, or if our society is moving more and more in the direction our community is in and we are on the cutting edge… that is only 7% claim to be connected to a religous community at all… which includes LDS, Buddists, etc.

    Our community isn’t just not Christian, they are anti-Christian and there is a large percentage of “dechurched” who live here.  I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been told that the radio or t.v. “is my church.”

    I would be interested in seeing how this particular church’s campaign works over the long term and what kind of rentention they have following this promotion.

    But I’m honestly skeptical that this will work.

    I really think we would be better served to commit ourselves to a radical prayer life corporately and independently.

    I think too many of us in ministry are trying to come up with another gimmick that will do the trick, instead of turning to God in repentance and in passionate pleading for the hearts, minds and souls around us.

  • Posted by Brian L.

    Jan,

    I think many of us are doing just what you advocate.

    But why is intentionally helping your church understand the power of inviting “another gimmick?”

    I think that anything (and that includes the dreaded “program") that helps our people get past the idea that church is only for those who fit our little holy huddle is a good thing, not a gimmick.

    The idea of this “program” is simply to help people invite others to church so they can hear the gospel.  But apparently because it is labeled as “outreach,” it can’t possibly be a good thing, according to some.  How sad…

  • Posted by

    Jan, it is obvious you know your community and have a handle on where to begin.  thanks

  • Posted by Brian L.

    Jan,

    I agree wholeheartedly with Leonard.  I should have included that in my previous post!

  • Posted by Pat

    While I agree that most people are just an invitation away from coming to church, and I would encourage more church attendees to invite people, cleaning up and putting on your best face for that day strikes me as odd.  Shouldn’t we have on our best face every Sunday?  Although we may not have ton of visitors each week, many churches get at least one or two a week, if not more.  We should always do our best, be our best and look and sound our best.  Not only should we do this for visitors but because we value the house of God and the community of faith.  So, while I’m not against this event, I would encourage to look at their practices and ask themselves do they do their best every Sunday, even if there are no visitors.

  • Funny,

    I know of a church that is doing a “Don’t Come to Our Church” campaign.  They are asking it’s members to not invite people to church, rather to invite them to Jesus.  They are sick of church invites.

    dontcometoourchurch.com

    No church is mentioned at the web site.  Only stories about Jesus.

  • Posted by

    Make no mistake....I am all for inviting people to church.  But there are two issues that concern me. 

    1.  Christians are using it as an excuse to NOT witness to the lost.  Too many Christians leave it up to the pastor to hopefully preach a message that brings about the need for repentance as well as a Savior. Since only 2% of Christians regularly share their faith it’s no wonder the Church in America is so anemic.

    2. The invitee will more than likely not hear a message that centers on the holiness of God, the Lordship of Christ and the exceeding sinfulness of sin.  They’re probably going to hear a message about how to improve their lives, why it is important to tithe, or worse....why it is important for wives to perform oral sex. 

    My zeal for evangelism should not be the exception but the rule.  We wouldn’t have to invite people to church if the sheep would go out and have lambs!  (share the Gospel) Winning souls for Christ would fill the pews with real believers with the same zeal for evangelism, thus perpetually growing the Church.  We must never forget that salvation is never the choice of the sinner but a miracle of God.  He raises their dead spirit to new life in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the Gospel.

    Evangelism, like prayer or studying of the Word or baptism, is not a gift but instead it is a matter of obedience or disobedience to God.

  • Posted by Peter Hamm

    Christopher, just a couple comments.

    1. Many Christians are using invitation as an ADJUNCT to their Gospel presentation to unsaved friends.

    2. Many of us in “seeker-sensitive” churches work hard for people to learn about what God has done during pretty much any weekend service.

  • Posted by

    Christopher,

    I agree, far too few people share their faith.  I also believe that sharing Christ and inviting poeple into an authentic community of faith where Christ is central, is highly effective.  You seem to place a huge emphasis on the sermon. 

    I think you overstate your conviction, as to what people might hear from the pulpit.  I agree there are many churches where you are left scratching your head, wondering what you just heard.

    This is not an either or issue.  People should witness and people should invite.  I do both.

    As for the messages of the holiness of God, the Lordship of Christ and the exceeding sinfulness of men.  Is that what you believe a person needs to hear to become saved?  I am just asking.

    Forgive me but it seems you leave out the Holy Spirit in the process here.

  • Posted by

    Not making any excuses for those who don’t regularly share their faith, but in the words of Paul is his letter to Ephesians, chapter 4 verse 11, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.”

    We’re not all called to be evangelists, however, we should all be ready to give an answer in and out of season for the hope that lies within us. Sometimes the best thing we can do to share our faith is to invite people to church. But I also think we should be asking them regularly, not for just one special Sunday.

  • Posted by

    There is also good reason to regularly engage people in a conversation about God and find out what they actually believe and know. In a lot of areas, people call themselves “Christian” and not really understand their condition before a holy God. They only are “Christian” because they attend church every Sunday and don’t live like it the rest of the week.

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