Growing Kentucky’s Churches From the Outside In David Kinnaman The Barna Group, Ltd. 2004.
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Transcript of Growing Kentucky’s Churches From the Outside In David Kinnaman The Barna Group, Ltd. 2004.
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%