5LQ Episode 299: Research on the Unchurched

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast, Todd Adkins and Daniel Im are joined by Scott McConnell, Executive Director of Lifeway Research. During their conversation, they discuss the following questions: Overview of the research Who are the unchurched? What are some of the common beliefs about evangelism that this research confirms and denies? What surprised you most about the research? What is your personal takeaway from the research? BEST QUOTES  “Of those who said they are a Christian, a third said they aren’t devout, and a third said they aren’t currently practicing.” “A quarter of unchurched people think they are Christians with a strong faith.” “Only a quarter of the unchurched have never attended a church regularly in their life.” “For the majority of the unchurched, the church has had a chance to present who Jesus Christ is and what we are about and for whatever reasons they have said, ‘that is not for me.'” “Just 35% of people say they would be likely to attend if somebody they knew invited them to a worship service.” “What if we didn’t care who got the credit and we just wanted to meet some people and serve our community while we did it?” “Two-thirds of unchurched people do not see themselves regularly attending church in the future.” “Forty-three percent of the unchurched never think about the afterlife.” “Forty-seven percent said they would discuss it freely if someone wanted to discuss their religious beliefs.” “When we asked the unchurched if a Christian had shared with them about the benefits of becoming a Christian, only 35% said yes.” “I’ve got to start looking at more situations in my life when I can bring Him into the conversation.” RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Lifeway Leadership Podcast Network Lifeway Research Unchurched Report from Lifeway Research 5LQ Episode 294: Scott McConnell on Bible Research 5LQ Episode 278: Scott McConnell on VBS Research Billy Graham Center Text “research” to 888111 to receive a copy of the research on the unchurched Ask Me Anything with J.D. Greear Podcast This Episode’s Sponsor: What happens when the Bible and humanity collide? Not what you’d expect. Living & Effective, a podcast collaboration between Christianity Today and the Christian Standard Bible, journeys through history, current events, theology, and the human condition to uncover surprising ways the Bible accomplishes God’s plan in the world.”