Surprising Insights from the Unchurched

Surprising Insights from the Unchurched by Thom Rainer is a book that surveys those that Rainer refers to as the formerly unchurched.  As opposed to many of Barnes research studies that merely survey those that are unchurched, Rainer goes further to find those who were unchurched and why they have chosen to get involved in church, and what influences helped them to make these important decisions. In doing so, we do not hear the warped perspective of a rebel who is running away from God and trying to influence the church into becoming what the carnal man wants, but rather the perspective of an individual who has been changed by Christ and is now serving Him faithfully, and what it was that brought him to this point.

I found this book extremely helpful in supporting my personal conviction of the importance of preaching doctrine, pastoral leadership, and clear vision. Rainer speaks much about the importance of clear, sound Bible doctrine being preached from the pulpit. To water down the message, to sporadically place a Bible verse here and there in the midst of a monologue is not what the soul is craving. What changes the life of an individual is solid Bible preaching.

Rainer also makes it very clear that pastoral leadership is important; that a person is drawn to a church many times because of the leadership of the pastor. This book has helped me tremendously in understanding my biblical role as the leader of Southern Hills Baptist Church.

Rainer concludes by speaking of the importance of expressing a simple vision to our congregation; that we love our people enough to share with them the vision God has given us as their minister. Surprising Insights from the Unchurched allowed me to see those who had been formerly unsaved express their views on what helped them make the decisions that we long to see them make. Frankly, I believe many evangelicals who will be more surprised by the results of the survey than those in independent Baptist circles. For too long many have chosen to steer away from strong pastoral leadership, doctrinal preaching, and simplifying the vision of evangelism and discipleship. I thank God that He has allowed me to be involved with a movement that has clearly taught these principles from its very foundation. I highly recommend this book.