LeaderLines: “Reaching the De-Churched, Part One”

I talk to Hillcrest leaders a lot about reaching the “unchurched.” While a segment of the unchurched in our town have had little or no church involvement in the past, the great majority of the unchurched in Austin are people who long ago quit attending a church.

They are what Tom Rainer calls the “de-churched.”

While we need to look for ways to reach those who have never really plugged into a church, let’s not forget that there is a vast mission field of adults who have, for various reasons, become “church dropouts.” We have to look for ways to reconnect with them.

In a recent article in Outreach magazine, Rainer listed 6 surprises about the de-churched. As you read these observations, keep in mind that Rainer isn’t necessarily speaking about people who have left your church but rather people who have left a church. These are characteristics of people who had somewhat regular involvement in churches in the past but no longer. Rainer writes:

1. The de-churched are not mad at the Church. While many within the Church might view someone’s departure as a sign that they’re angry, that’s not the case. Very few of the formerly churched expressed hostility toward the local body.

2. Young adults return out of obedience to God. Almost half of those aged 18 to 35 cited that reason. Today’s younger generation is sometimes viewed as rebellious or shunning God. While rebellion certainly applies to some, a large segment of young adults are returning for spiritual reasons.

3. The de-churched don’t feel awkward about coming back. Only 15% mentioned that they would feel awkward. So the Church shouldn’t feel awkward about seeking out those who have left and asking them to return.

4. Denominational preferences do not change among those who have left the Church. Fewer than 20% prefer to attend a church of a different denomination. Conversely, 64% of those who have left would prefer to attend a church of the same denomination. Clearly, denominational preference is not the impetus behind those who leave.

5. The second visit is crucial among those returning to the church. Almost two-thirds of the de-churched maintained that they would like to remain anonymous until their second visit if they were to return. While our churches should remain amiable and open to all guests, perhaps we should focus on second and third-time guests as much as first-timers.

6. Application of biblical teaching is important to those who return to the Church. Many within the de-churched camp affirmed that if they were to return, they’d seek a church that offered engaging and realistic dialogue about God and life. So the de-churched aren’t concerned with ancillary items, but rather sound biblical teaching that applies to their lives.

These are some helpful insights, and the observations should give us hope as we leaders work to bring Austin’s unchurched into the life and ministry of our church. Next week I’ll cover what formerly unchurched people said were the top five things that got them back into church again.
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Each Thursday I post my article from "LeaderLines," an e-newsletter designed for church leaders. If you want to subscribe to "LeaderLines," sign up here.