by Michael Foust (Source: www.pastors.com)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--What do Sunday school classes, church doctrine, clean restrooms and friendly greeters all have in common?

They're all factors that have helped attract unchurched people to the church -- and kept them there. That's the conclusion of a seven-year study by Thom Rainer and a research team at Southern Seminary. The study, titled "Nine Habits of Churches that Reach and Keep the Unchurched," combines both old and new research, and includes surveys of more than 4,000 churches and interviews with more than 1,000 individuals.

A highlight of the study is new research into what Rainer calls the "formerly unchurched" -- that is, people who had become Christians within the previous 12 months and were active in church. This new research includes interviews with more than 350 formerly unchurched people and examines factors that attracted and kept them in the church.

1. Habit of Intentionality

2. Habit of Cultural Awareness

3. Habit of High Expectations

4. Habit of Clear Doctrine

5. Habit of Risk Taking

6. Habit of Dynamic Small Groups

7. Habit of Effective Leadership

8. Habit of Effective Preaching

9. Habit of Prayer

http://beta.pastors.com/pcom/specials/ReachAndKeepUnchurched.asp

(Source: www.pastors.com)
Article by Michael Foust
Michael Foust is a writer at Southern Seminary.