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

82%

13%4%

67%

30%33%

17%

39%

13%

54%

self-identifiedChristian

atheist/agnostic other faith madecommitment to

Christ

born againChristian

KY unchurched US 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

11%18%20%20%

53%54%56%

inquirer explorer seeker non-Christian

lost prodigal non-believer

What They Want in a Church

Dimension Option %

Church size 100 or fewer 52%

300+ 10%

Music style Hymns 41%

Contemporary 17%

Accompaniment Choir/organ 36%

Worship leader/band 21%

Service style Formal 37%

Informal 21%

What They Want in a Church

Dimension Option %

Participation High – throughout service 47%

Low – watch leaders 19%

What about kids? Services with kids 49%

Without kids 20%

Congregational response

Raise hands, applaud, etc. 36%

Reserved and orderly 30%

Sermon Addresses issues, concerns 40%

Studying specific book 22%

Five Challenges Facing KBC

55%

32% 34%39%

born again unchurched

KY adults US adults

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

Dimension Option %

Emphasis of church

Leading people to Christ 33%

Teaching the Bible 26%

Serving the needy 20%

Friendships among believers 10%

Entry Points Worship service 43%

Events 20%

Community outreach 8%

Sunday school 7%

Pastoral class 7%

Home group 4%