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Understanding Their Hearts and Minds
By Dr. Thom Rainer

1. Most of the unchurched prefer to attend church on Sunday morning if they attend.
2. Most of the unchurched feel guilty about not attending church.
3. Ninety-six percent of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if they are invited.
4. Very few of the unchurched had someone share with them how to become a Christian. And Christians have not been particularly influential in their lives.
5. Most of the unchurched have a positive view of pastors, ministers and the church.
6. Many of the unchurched have a church background.
7. Showing up at someone's home without an invitation was one of the biggest turnoffs articulated by the unchurched.
8. The unchurched would like to develop a real and sincere relationship with a Christian.
9. The attitudes of the unchurched are not correlated to where they live, their ethnic or racial background, or their gender.
10. Many of the unchurched are far more concerned about the spiritual well-being of their children than themselves.

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From ChristianityToday.com

Word choice is important to communication. Well-intentioned believers want to communicate the need to come to Christ and be saved. To do that, especially with children, they beg non-Christians to "invite Jesus into your heart."

There's a problem, though. That phrase isn't found in the Bible.

In evangelizing the lost, speak the language the Bible speaks. The Book of John explains how to receive the gift of eternal life. John, in fact, identifies the purpose of his book: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (20:31).

How does one receive that eternal life? The word that John uses ninety-eight times is believe. Prior to raising Martha's brother, Lazarus, from the grave, Christ explained to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:25-26). Believe means, "Understanding that Jesus Christ died for me and rose again, I receive eternal life by trusting Him alone as my only way to heaven."

Word choice is important in communicating clearly. The plan of salvation is too crucial to communicate any other way. The phrase "invite Jesus into your heart" is not used in Scripture in inviting the lost to be saved. Because it is not used in Scripture and because it encourages people to think that one is saved by saying a prayer, it should not be used in evangelism. The one verse that infers the thought of "invite Jesus into your heart" speaks to Christians about fellowship. We should do what the Bible encourages us to do. We should invite the lost to believe, to trust in Christ alone for salvation.

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Emerging generation church looks to old classic for Easter outreach
by Stephen Alligood

Sometimes when you are trying to do something new for the Lord, it's best to borrow from ideas tried and true. Pastor David Trotter, founding leader of Revolution Church, a Reformed Church in America congregation in Long Beach, Calif., understands that rule, especially when it comes to planning for Easter. In fast-growing, fast-moving southern California, where, according to pop culturists, the next "big thing" is always incubating, Trotter has discovered the most effective tool to reach the unchurched in his community at Easter is – are you ready for this – an egg hunt. Does it work? The hard-boiled facts are indisputable, the pastor added. "Including kids, we had 600 to 700 last year. It works just great. There's not a lot, at least in our area, of Easter egg hunts anymore. The kids absolutely loved it. Combine that with a free pancake breakfast and it seems to draw them in." As for their tried and true Easter plans, Revolution plans no changes. "We'll keep doing the same thing," Pastor Trotter said. "The egg hunt and free pancakes have become something the community can count on. Obviously it's a non-threatening way for people to invite their friends and family to Revolution. They come and see there are normal people here." "We just pray for them to join us."

Christians undermine their ability to reach society with the gospel because they segregate their churches by race, sociologist/author George Yancey told participants in a workshop aimed at racial reconciliation.

Unfortunately, only 8 percent of American churches are multiracial, Yancey lamented. He defined a “multiracial church” as one in which no single racial group comprises more than 80 percent of the participants.

Despite the challenges, multiracial churches are more than worth the effort, Yancey contended. He cited five reasons why Christians need multiracial churches:

• Multiracial churches are effective in presenting the gospel in multiracial communities.
• Racial reconciliation requires the kind of Christian model presented by multiracial churches.
• Multiracial congregations can repair “our damaged Christian witness.”
• Multiracial churches reflect obedience to God.

Read more here

Here are some highlights:

At 75 years old, Margaret Fontaine is on the cutting edge of church ministry.

For years, emphasis has been on the young. Services with multimedia sermons and contemporary music have replaced traditional liturgies. Thousands of dollars have been spent on youth facilities, staff and activities.

"I think we have missed the boat," said the Rev. Regina Wren, pastor of senior spiritual life at First United Methodist Church in Shreveport. "We have given attention to the young adults and youths and made seniors feel they didn't count. I see that shifting."

But population shifts soon will force the issue for ministers. Census figures show there were 45.7 million people over age 60 in the country in 2000. By 2020, that number is expected to be 75.5 million.

A boomer himself, the Rev. Ted Scott, pastor of Harvest Temple Church of God in Christ in Bossier City, sees firsthand the need to develop a senior ministry.

"If the church is not preparing to minister to them, what is the church going to do?"

For anyone still looking for reasons to begin a senior adult ministry, Gentzler references Scriptures that encourage care of the elderly and puts it bluntly:

"For any church not to be concerned about the faith development of older people is to be less than faithful to God," he said. "God calls us at whatever age, and the church should be faithful in helping them grow in understanding."

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"Your target audience for church growth is Internet-savvy," he stated in an article for the Purpose Driven ministry. "Most church growth comes from the 18-to-18 range – people from 18 years old to families with 18-year-old children. This also happens to be the group with the highest Internet usage. According to research by the U.S. government, teenagers and families with children at home are the most frequent Internet users of any demographic group. Using the Internet to communicate with families and young adults is a natural fit."

But the target audiences for church growth are those who use the Internet often, and don't even have a Yellow Pages book, added Sanders.

These seekers often search online for a church long before they even get to the city, he said. And those without a website simply don't exist.

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From New Life Church's website (where Ted Haggard serves).

Even if you, your friends or your family members are not believers, there is value in going to church. Want to live longer? Go to church. Want a more satisfying sex life? Go to church. Here are some facts that are reason enough to get up on Sunday mornings and hit the pews:

1. Church attendance is the number-one predictor of marital stability. (Journal of Marriage and the Family, 40)

2. Attending church is helpful in the prevention of cancer, heart disease, and mental illness. (National Institute of Healthcare Research in America, June 2000)

3. Teens who attend church are four-times less likely to commit suicide. (Journal of Chronic Disease, 25)

4. People who attend church are more likely to remain married and have a better sex-life. (David Larson, National Institute of Mental Health)

5. Church attendees stay half as long during hospital stays. (Duke University)

6. Those attending church are five-times less likely to require antibiotics. (Southern Medical Journal, July 1998)

7. There is lower blood pressure among men who attend church versus those who do not. (Duke University)

8. There's an additional average life expectancy of seven years. (Demography, May 1999)

9. People attending church report a 50% higher weekly average family income. (UCLA School of Medicine)

10. Church-goers have fewer heart attacks than non-church-goers. (David Larson, National Institute of Mental Health)

11. Those who attend religious services in their youth have about $11,000 more in yearly income by their early 30's. (UCLA School of Medicine)

12. Cities with high church attendance have the lowest crime rates. (Crime, Values and Religion, 1987)

13. People attending church are physically healthier and less depressed. (The American Medical News. 3/4/96)

14. Alcohol abuse is 300% less for those who attend church. (UCLA School of Medicine)

15. Church attendance moves the underprivileged out of poverty and into the middle class. (Why Religion Matters: The Impact of Religious Practice on Social Stability. The Heritage Foundation)

From Barna.org:

Religious books have become a publishing phenomenon in the past decade, and no religious book (other than the Bible) has generated more attention – or sales – than Rick Warren’s bestseller, The Purpose-Driven Life. More than 20 million copies of the book have been sold, and millions of people have been exposed to Purpose-Driven church programs, classes and resources. After all the reading, teaching, and conversation on the topic, exactly what do Americans perceive their purpose in life to be?

That was the question posed to a random national sample of 1003 adults surveyed by The Barna Group. One particular response was provided by nearly half of the population, and only two other options were mentioned by at least one out of every ten people.

More than four out of every ten adults – 44% – said their top priority in life is having a satisfying family life. This was nearly three times as popular as the second-most common response and more than four times as prolific as the third-most popular reply.

The second-most common life priority, listed by 18% of all adults, was that of understanding and carrying out the principles of their faith.

The only other priority named by at least one out of every ten adults was having good friends. That commitment characterized the desire of 10% of the public. It was particularly common among people 60 or older (16%), downscale adults (18%), men (13%, versus 7% among women), and single adults (mentioned three times as often as it was among married adults).

The survey data raise some important red flags for religious leaders, according to researcher George Barna. “It’s wonderful that family and faith were the top ranked priorities listed by Americans. The survey results raise some questions, however, about the faith commitment of many church-going and born again adults. One must wonder,” he continued, “if the struggles evident in so many marriages and parent-child relationships are connected to the fact that people are generally more interested in pursuing a fulfilling family life than in understanding the principles for meaningful living that may help shape such a family experience.”

What happens when a city experiences the love of Jesus through practical acts of kindness?

About 25 years ago, Norm and Becky Wretlind discovered that loving their neighbors really could be fun. In fact it could be a party! Hosting a Christmas party in their neighborhood was the perfect way to create a bridge for their neighbors to meet Christ. Additional parties led to home Bible studies, and over a three-year period more than 60 neighbors accepted Christ as their Savior. Soon a church was born, and today more than 1,000 “neighbors” gather weekly to worship the Lord.

Read more about Neighbor Hope Ministries.

This convenient handout will help your children's workers be prepared to share the Gospel with the children and parents. This simple tool includes an outline for presenting the Gospel and scripture references for each step. Essential tips for being more effective in sharing Christ with children are also provided. Use this as a training tool before your summer ministries begin and encourage your children's workers to carry it with them for quick reference.

Click here for a link to download the handout for free

Here's an excerpt:

Churches become ineffective when they fight over such things as music, Jeremiah said. Such arguments make churches unattractive to those they are trying to reach, he said.

Communities should also react with sympathy, Jeremiah said. Christians should rejoice when fellow Christians rejoice and weep when they weep, he said.

Instead, some Christians have inverted the principle and rejoice when other Christians weep and weep when they rejoice.

Communities also respond like a family, according to Jeremiah. Christians have disagreements because they're brothers and sisters, he said.

Seekers will join churches where they feel they have finally found a home, Jeremiah said.

"Everybody has this longing to belong," he said.

Communities should also reach out in sincerity, Jeremiah said. Churches that are tenderhearted will draw people like a magnet, he said.

Jeremiah said the main place to show such sincerity is through small groups.

"I pray that God would break our hearts over our coldness," he said. "How can we ever identify the needs of people outside the church if we cannot even identify the needs of our brothers and sisters?"

Communities also reinforce humility, Jeremiah said.

"Where did we get the idea that church was a place where we get our needs met?" he asked. "The church is a place where we meet the needs of others and ultimately meet the needs of the world.

"We are just as self-centered in our religion as the world is in its commerce."

Click here for the article

Mindstorm: 18 Factors That Can Really Impact Easter

Also, check out withreach.com

15 proven ways to reach the unchurched

The first three
1. Major on majors.
2. Be biblical, conservative and convictional.
3. Give evangelism priority and passion.

Quick Tables - American FactFinder

The first report is for the area in Scottsdale bordered on the north and south by Indian School and Thomas and on the east and west by Pima and Hayden. The second report is for all of Scottsdale.