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How do the Unchurched View Us?
Their seven most common responses about the churched.
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The unchurched believe that a Christian is more likely to provide a lasting friendship than non-Christians. The unchurched are likely to be desirous of friendships and lasting relationships. Many of these men and women are very lonely. And while many Christians are reticent or too lazy to get involved in the lives of unchurched persons, such an effort may prove to be the eternal difference in their lives. Repeatedly, our research shows that the unchurched are much more likely to accept Christ if a Christian will take the time to get involved in their lives. Did You See That?The unchurched struggle with inconsistencies in Christians' lives. Penny U., an unchurched person from Philadelphia, likes her friend Bonnie. "Yeah, Bonnie has been a good friend to me. I think that her religion has a lot to do with her goodness." So what is the struggle? "I've heard Bonnie say some things lately that have really floored me. Now I don't expect Christians to be perfect, but Bonnie has said some things that wouldn't even come out of my mouth. I really wonder if she realizes how that affects me." Share the WealthThe unchurched wonder why Christians are often reticent to share their faith. Perhaps the most eye-opening discovery we made about the unchurched person's attitude towards us Christians is that most of them would like to hear about Jesus Christ from us. Yet the vast majority of the unchurched with whom we spoke have never had a Christian share their faith with them. What a tragedy. And what an opportunity. Thom S. Rainer is dean of the Billy Graham School at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. The author of 16 books, he also serves as president of the Rainer Group and Church Central Associates. Copyright © 2003 by Dr. Thom Rainer. Used by permission. www.ChurchCentral.com |             |
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