20 Facts About the Unchurched People Who Visit Your Church

By Brian Dodd

“My prayer is this post will help you better serve the unchurched people who visit your church.”

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In last week’s The Top 10 Leadership Posts I Read the Week of June 8th, Beth Riedemann wrote a post titled An Open Letter to Mike Linch, Sr. Pastor at NorthStar.
The title caught my attention because Mike is one of my dearest friends and one of the great pastors in America. You can follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
As I read Beth’s post I was moved by her transparency as she recounted her family’s story of coming back to church and the role NorthStar Church and Mike, specifically, have played in her spiritual journey.
While no two stories are ever the same, the following are 20 Facts About the Unchurched People Who Visit Your Church I gleaned from Beth’s comments:
1. Unchurched People were often deeply affected as children by the actions of their parents and their view of God.
2. Unchurched People were often judged harshly by those in roles of spiritual authority.
3. Unchurched People often watched Christians treat each other harshly. Why would they want to be part of that?
4. Unchurched People are unclear on what is needed to go to Heaven.
5. Unchurched People have seen poor Christian leadership modeled for them. Thankfully, God sent Beth to a church led by a man like Mike Linch.
6. Unchurched People think Christianity is religion and rules rather than a relationship.
7. Unchurched People raise children in light of how they were raised.
8. Unchurched People are impressed with excellence in worship even if they do not understand it or believe everything being communicated.
9. Unchurched People have no idea how much God truly loves them.
10. Unchurched People believe in God. They just do not know how to gain His favor.
11. Unchurched People have legitimate faith questions.
12. Unchurched People often experience tremendous amounts of guilt.
13. Like everyone, Unchurched People have also faced many challenges as adults.
14. Unchurched People questioned God when tragedy struck.
15. Unchurched People are most likely to come to church because they are invited by a friend.
16. Unchurched People often do not sing.
17. Unchurched People will return the next Sunday if they like the pastor.
18. Unchurched People enjoy messages that “demystify” the Bible.
19. Unchurched People will slowly get involved through small groups and places where they can serve.
20. Unchurched People’s hearts melt when they see their children loving church and singing, even if they do not. So invest heavily in your worship services and children’s programming.
My prayer is this post will help you better serve the unchurched people who visit your church.
And if you live in Acworth or Kennesaw, Ga., and are considering attending a church, check out NorthStar Church and senior pastor Mike Linch. You will be pleasantly surprised. Their slogan says it all: “Find Your Way Home.”