1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

5 Trends among the Unchurched

Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by Earth Wind and Fire, Feb 2, 2015.

  1. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,376
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2006
    Messages:
    52,013
    Likes Received:
    3,649
    Faith:
    Baptist
  3. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,376
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
    And so...here we have another person with an opinion....not about the data that Banal researched but about about the author himself. Good....everyone has an opinion but I was looking for something a bit more to the heart of the subject matter....then you are free to critique.
     
  4. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2012
    Messages:
    4,960
    Likes Received:
    1,694
    Faith:
    Baptist
     
  5. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,376
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
    That is the conclusion I drew as well.....but then the question remains, "why do so many churches resort to the gimmick vs just going out and inviting people in?" Then....and I'm going to ask you specifically because you are Jersey born and bred--"why is this place so dominated by Catholics and United Methodists (who emulate RC 's)?" Baptists here make little or no traction among the population of the North East.:tear:
     
  6. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,376
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Don't want to answer a direct question posed to you Reformed? That can be easily remedied by either a private/personal response or telling me directly you'd prefer not to answer the question.
     
  7. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2012
    Messages:
    4,960
    Likes Received:
    1,694
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I have been traveling most of the day and just finished dinner at the hotel I am staying in.

    Most of the North East is dominated by Roman Catholicism. It is not just North Jersey. North Jersey does have quite a few Baptist and baptistic type churches (remember, I went to one in Kearny). It seems like every town has a United Methodist Church. Practically speaking the United Methodists are a dead denomination.

    Gimmicks do work if you are into the ABC's of church growth (Attendance, Buildings, and Cash), but they are not a recipe for building strong disciples. Do not look for that to change any time soon. Remember, "narrow is the way".
     
  8. T Alan

    T Alan New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    Messages:
    836
    Likes Received:
    2
    Have a Preacher that Preaches the Word, The whole Word and nothing but the Word. Invite folks to that. Gods elect will respond the goats will run down the road to the big party.
     
  9. FriendofSpurgeon

    FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2003
    Messages:
    3,243
    Likes Received:
    74
    Very interesting article. I agree. The best way to reach people is to simply invite them. Personally, I think a direct mail is an awful idea.

    There are many things that churches can do:
    * Make your visitors feel welcome.
    * On the flip side, don't embarrass them by asking them to stand, raise their hands, etc.
    * Consider having a "welcome center" where visitors can ask questions, etc.
    * Have an updated "Visitors Guide" that reflects the mission, leadership, activities, etc. of the church.
    * Don't be so filled with "church speak" that visitors have no idea of what is going on during the service. Instead, explain what is going on during the service and why you do them. In other words, make them feel comfortable.


    In addition, we have several ways that we provide outreach to the
    community at large which introduces them to our church.
    * We have an excellent day school that is open to members and non-members alike. Many young parents have come to know the Lord due to the day school.
    * We allow non-members to use our facilities for weddings. Often, young adults no longer attend church for a variety of reasons, but are much more open when they are getting married.
    * We allow non-church groups to utilize our facilities.
    * We often have special concerts, etc. and this is much less threatening to the non-churched.

    I'm sure there are more, but this is all I could think right now.
     
Loading...