3. Saying you’re after the unchurched, but clearly targeting the already convinced.
For most churches, this isn’t conscious. They talk about reaching the lost, or going after the unchurched, but when you examine their “front doors”—meaning their weekend services, website, mailings, ads—they are targeting the person actively looking for a church home, or someone already in one.
Regardless, it is clear that it is assumed they are a Christ-follower.
“Dynamic preaching!”
“Ten-week series on James!”
“Communion this weekend!”
“Looking for a good church home?”
“Fifty-voice choir!”
Really, who is attracted to any of this? Only the already convinced, and often already churched.
If you think touting that your church is bigger, better, more dynamic, has better Bible study or its own worship band with CDs is going to reach the “nones” that are now the second largest and fastest growing religious segment in the country, then you need to get out and meet a few.
Bottom line: If you say you’re after the unchurched, and want to reach the unchurched, then for heaven’s sake (literally), try targeting them.
