In a national survey conducted by author Thom Rainer and his staff, eight out of ten unchurched men and women said they would come to church—if only someone would invite them. When and how is the next big question. Rainer helps you figure out where your neighbors, friends, and coworkers are in their spiritual quest, and how you can know who among the unchurched people in your life are receptive to Christ.In this fascinating book, Rainer identifies five “faith stages” that represent your running buddy, your sister-in-law, or your hairdresser. “A discovery we made is that reaching lost and unchurched people is not always best accomplished with some cookie-cutter strategy,” Rainer writes. “The unchurched are different in how they respond to the gospel.” How different? You will be amazed at the variables that exist when it comes to how open people are to the Christian message. Open this book, and open your mind and heart to the powerful new possibilities of reaching The Unchurched Next Door.

We’ve read all the hot books on evangelism, we’ve attended scores of seminars—and still we’re not reaching the unchurched. Eighty to ninety percent of churchless Americans will never darken our culturally relevant, seeker-sensitive doors. What are we missing?Maybe we’ve been asking the wrong people. Instead of consulting the unchurched masses, it’s time we heard what the small but important minority who have recently begun attending a church have to say. What made the difference for them? What critical factors helped spark their faith in Jesus and drew them into the community of believers?Thom S. Rainer, dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth, shares the results and conclusions of his school’s groundbreaking survey of the formerly unchurched. At last, here are proven insights into what evangelistically effective churches are doing right. Flying in the face of much contemporary wisdom, the answers will surprise you.This is truly one of the most valuable resources you can own as a church leader. Filled with charts, graphs, and other visual aids, plus an abundance of true-life accounts, this book explodes common myths about the unchurched. You’ll discoverWhy pastors and doctrinal preaching are criticalThe enormous influence of family and relationships Which things matter more than we’d thought, and which matter lessWhat causes visitors to returnThe traits of unchurched-reaching leadersHow to preach effectively to the unchurchedHow to become a church for the unchurchedAnd much, much moreThis eye-opening compendium of information includes reproducible appendices that can help you fine-tune or even restructure your church. From one of the nations foremost authorities on evangelism and church growth, here are insights and tools that will change the way you think of and deal with--and win--unchurched men and women who long to connect with God.Photocopyable material includesUnchurched-Reaching Readiness InventoryChurch Health Survey

Countless preachers have turned to the Zondervan Pastor's Annual to save them time in sermon and service preparation. This tried-and-true resource makes your demanding job as a pastor a lot easier. Use its contents as is, or tailor them to fit your unique approach. The Zondervan 2007 Pastor's Annual supplies you with: Morning and Evening Services for Every Sunday of the Year Sermon Topics and Texts Fully Indexed Definitive and Usable Sermon Outlines Devotionals and Bible Studies for Midweek Services Fresh and Applicable Illustrations Appropriate Hymn Selections Special-Day Services for Church and Civil Calendars Meditations on Lord's Supper Observance Wedding Ceremonies and Themes Funeral Messages and Scriptures Basic Pastoral Ministry Helps Messages for Children and Young People Offertory Prayers

Kate, a single mom, fills in as part-time mother for an only child next door. Meanwhile, she has her eye on the boy's dashing single dad. In a dream come true, the neighbor proposes. Her heart soars as she walks down the aisle. Then she begins to wonder if he really wants her or merely a family for his son. (Original)

Parties with a Purpose is a fresh, helpful guide to purposeful partying for the entire church family. It is packed with out-of-the-ordinary ideas to get you thinking, inviting, and ministering and —to help church people learn to enjoy each other's company, reach out to newcomers, and rediscover the art of friendship. "This book could have easily been entitled, How to Win the World Through Caring Friendship. Here is an array of practical suggestions for connecting with neighbors and work associates so that we can express the kind of relationships wherein Christ's love becomes known. In a post-modern world that hungers for truth to be wrapped in something more than pat phrases and declarations, Marlene LeFever shows us how to incarnate the Gospel in real friendships. In the midst of great proposals for how to set up progressive dinners, special holiday celebrations, housewarmings, and baby showers, Marlene offers us far more. In Parties with a Purpose, she offers us a theology of friendhsip and a host of real life stories that translate into guidance for living out Christian Hospitality." and — Tony Campolo, Eastern College, St. Davids, PA "Relationships are our greatest need and our greatest fear. We long to connect but struggle with knowing how. Parties with a Purpose provides structure and strategies for your church through hospitality. Building community is one of the keys to effective ministry within our post-modern world and this book will give you the necessary tools to make it happen." and —Ken Baugh, Director of Frontline Ministries, McClean Bible Church, McClean, VA