We know that most churches are looking for ways to improve attendance and increase their members. Sadly, it’s not always as easy as just posting a “welcome” sign outside the church. We are called to reach unchurched people, but it’s not so simple.
If you want to increase both members and attendance, you need to find ways to get the unchurched to walk through your doors. Don’t discount the unchurched. Many still have faith, but they’re just not sure where to go for guidance or which church might be the right fit for them.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the “unchurched” demographic. Then, we’ll give you 7 tips to help you draw them to your church and get them through your doors. In Matthew 28, we as Christians are given the commission to go out and reach non-believers. If that’s something your church truly believes in, then its important you take the steps to reach them effectively.
Ready to learn more? Let’s jump in.
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Table of contents
Reaching The Unchurched
First up, let’s go over everything you need to know about the unchurched. If drawing these people into our churches is what we as church leaders want to do, then its important we understand them. Who are they? What do they believe? What is keeping them out of church? What might draw them to go to church?
The Unchurched Demographic
What are unchurched people? Put simply, they are people who do attend local church. Technically, an unchurched person is someone who never attends church ever, but for our purposes, we’ll also include those who attend church only once or twice a year, since they essentially count as well. Also, it’s possible that someone is a follower of Jesus Christ and believes they have the Holy Spirit in them but does not attend a church. It’s just as important to get these people to church as everyone else, so we count them as “unchurched”.
According to Barna Group Studies, 43% of Americans are considered “unchurched”. They are split into two groups: the De-Churched (once went to church but no longer go to church) and the Purely Unchurched (have never had a church experience).
Different cities may have higher or lower percentages, such as the San Francisco Bay Area which is considered 61% unchurched.
According to Pew Research Center, only a quarter of U.S. adults say they attend church on a weekly basis. That means that 3/4ths of Americans attend church either infrequently or not at all! We want to turn these stats around if we can, and that all starts with reaching the unchurched.
Understanding the De-Churched
The de-churched demographic refers to people who used to attend church regularly but no longer do. These individuals often still believe in the Christian faith, but for various reasons, they have stopped going to church services. Some may feel disconnected from the way churches worship God or how leaders address spiritual beliefs. Others may have had negative experiences, such as disagreements with church teachings or conflicts with other members.
Many de-churched people say they still believe in God, but they no longer see church services as necessary for their spiritual growth. Some prefer to practice their faith privately or in small groups, while others might feel that the church is no longer relevant to their lives. Understanding this group requires listening to their stories and being open to the reasons behind their decisions. By doing so, churches can better address their needs and concerns, and possibly find new ways to re-engage them in worship.
Understanding the Purely Unchurched
The purely unchurched demographic refers to people who have never attended a church service or been part of a Christian community. These individuals often come from families or environments where religious beliefs were not a significant part of their upbringing. As a result, they may have little to no knowledge or experience of what goes on in a church or the teachings of Christianity.
For the unchurched community, church services might seem unfamiliar or even intimidating. They might not understand why Christians gather, what they believe, or how they worship. Many people in this group may not have strong opinions about religious beliefs or might be open to learning, while others may feel indifferent or skeptical about faith in general.
Understanding the unchurched requires recognizing that they often view life and spirituality differently from those in the Christian community. To reach out to them, it’s important to avoid assumptions and to offer clear, simple explanations about faith. Creating a welcoming and non-judgmental environment can help them feel more comfortable exploring Christian beliefs and possibly attending church for the first time.
Even if they’re not regularly attending a church, most unchurched people are not opposed to attending church one day if they find the right fit.
Top 7 Tips To Drawing The Unchurched To Your Church
And that’s an overview of the unchurched! As a church leader, it’s always important to know the kinds of people out there so you know how to reach them effectively. That’s what this section is all about! Here, we’ll give you our 7 tips for getting these unchurched people into your church.
1. Create A Welcoming Atmosphere
If you want to get the unchurched to walk in, you have to create a welcoming atmosphere. Think about what visitors see when they first come in. Is there someone to welcome them? If it’s a larger church, are there signs posted about where to go? Is there plenty of room to sit? Are there hours posted on a sign outside? Is there ample parking?
Believe it or not, simple things like this can make the unchurched believe your church is already full or doesn’t accept new members. If an unchurched visitor comes to a special service, ensure they feel welcomed instead of pushed to the background. When they feel like part of the community, they’re more likely to come back.
2. Encourage Members To Talk About Faith
Get the unchurched interested in visiting by encouraging your members to talk about their faith and invite new members. In fact, 70% of church guests come because a friend or relative invited them. In one survey, 79% of unchurched Americans didn’t mind their churched friends talking about their faith. Nearly half (47%) engage in the conversation.
It’s important to remind your members to talk about their faith but avoid giving a sales pitch. No one enjoys that. Instead, the passion your members have should serve as an example of what it’s like to be a part of your church. Think of it as a gentle way to reach the unchurched without being pushy.
3. Provide Community Events
Many of the unchurched are looking for churches that make a positive impact on the community. They’re not interested in churches that rarely interact with the local community or always seem to be exclusive. An easy way to show the unchurched what you’re involved in is to invite them to special activities, such as community service projects.
It’s also a great idea to offer community programs that aren’t just for members. For instance, hosting fitness programs for varying age groups or having a community dinner encourages the unchurched to participate and creates that important welcoming aspect. In fact, 46% of the unchurched are likely to attend a sports program, while 51% would help with a community service project.
Here are some possible events you could put on:
- Family Fun Day: A casual event with games, food, and activities for all ages, offering a welcoming, non-religious introduction to the church community.
- Free Workshops: Practical sessions like cooking, parenting, or financial planning, where participants can learn useful skills and build relationships.
- Outdoor Movie Night: A family-friendly movie screening in a park or churchyard, with free popcorn and a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere.
- Service Projects: Organize community clean-ups, food drives, or charity events where people can contribute to positive local change.
- Holiday Celebrations: Non-religious festivities like a neighborhood BBQ, fall festival, or winter carnival that encourage socializing and fun.
4. Show That You’re Modern
If you want to get the unchurched to visit, you have to step into the modern era. The younger unchurched often feel that churches are out of touch. Singing nothing but traditional sermons and being talked at for a few hours doesn’t appeal to them.
Instead, they want a church that reaches them on their level. Integrating technology, having a website to interact with the church before visiting, and focusing on some of their specific needs are just a few ways to become a more modern church that appeals to the currently unchurched.
The unchurched aren’t out of reach. You just have to open your doors, welcome them in and show them that your church meets their needs.
5. Use Simple Language
Using simple language is important when talking to people who may not be familiar with church or religious terms. Many people outside the church may not understand “Christianese” words like “salvation,” “sanctification,” or “repentance.” If they hear these words without knowing their meaning, they can feel confused or left out.
When we use clear, everyday language, it helps people feel more connected and comfortable. For example, instead of saying “salvation,” you can say “God’s way of saving us.” Instead of “repentance,” say “turning away from wrong choices and starting fresh.”
The goal is to make the message of the Christian faith easy to understand and relatable. It’s not about changing the message, but about explaining it in a way that everyone can follow. This helps those who are new to church feel more welcome and makes it easier for them to explore faith.
6. Focus on Relationships
Focusing on relationships is key when reaching out to people who don’t attend church. Many unchurched people are more interested in forming real connections than simply attending a service. By building genuine friendships, we show that we care about them as people, not just as potential church members.
Start by getting to know people—ask about their lives, listen to their concerns, and share your own experiences. Through these connections, trust grows, and they may become more open to learning about your faith. Relationships take time, but God calls use to build meaningful relationships with each other, so it’s important to invest in them.
Here are some tips to help out:
- Be Present: Spend time with people in everyday settings, not just at church events.
- Listen Well: Show interest in their thoughts and feelings without interrupting.
- Be Patient: Trust grows slowly, so focus on being a friend first.
7. Be Authentic
Being authentic means being real and honest with others. When reaching out to the unchurched, it’s important to show who you truly are, including your struggles and doubts. People are more likely to connect with you if they see that you’re not pretending to have all the answers or living a perfect life.
Share your true experiences, both good and bad, and be honest about how your faith has helped you through difficult times. Authenticity builds trust, and when people see you being genuine, they are more likely to open up and explore faith with you.
Getting The Unchurched Through Church Doors
In the end, reaching the unchurched is about creating meaningful connections, offering a genuine welcome, and being willing to meet people where they are. It requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to listen without judgment.
By using simple language, focusing on relationships, and being authentic in our approach, we can show the love of God in a way that feels approachable and real. Whether through community events, acts of service, or open conversations, the goal is to build bridges that invite people to explore faith at their own pace.
As we continue to engage with the unchurched, we open doors for them to experience a loving, supportive community and, ultimately, discover the Christian faith in a way that speaks to their hearts. Through kindness and authenticity, we can make a lasting impact and help others begin or renew their spiritual journey.
Need some help with modernizing your church? Start with our web design services to attract the unchurched to you.
More Resources on Reaching the Unchurched
About The Author
Comments 2
And we must never forget that praying for them and lovingly witnessing to them is equally important in drawing people to church and to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord made it very clear, “No man can come to me except the father draws him/her.”
Author
You are absolutely right. Jesus will build his Church!