Attracting and Assimilating Unchurched People

David Durey, Director of the Intentional Discipleship Network, in cooperation with Mission Portland conducted a study with the purpose of identifying transferable principles drawn from several churches that had been successful in attracting and assimilating unchurched people. The multi-case approach selected leading churches from among the fifty largest churches in the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington metropolitan area and conducted on-site interviews.

The major findings of this study were in three areas: personal relationships, intentionality, and small groups. Personal relationships were the most significant reason why unchurched people were attracted to and stayed in church. These churches were intentional in reaching lost people, welcoming visitors, and providing spiritual formation. Finally, small groups were the most effective means of helping new people form significant relationships and grow spiritually.

Attracting and Assimilating the Unchurched in the 21st Century

Introduction/Summary (13 page overview of the research/findings)

Helping Newcomers Connect, Grow, and Stay (an article published May 2002 in Net Results magazine)

Assimilating New People Into the Church (25 page paper based on the review of literature, chapter 2)

Complete Dissertation (150 page Doctoral Dissertation plus bibliography) e-book $5.00

Assimilation Charts (presentation slides) Full Version (50 slides) Short Version (18 slides)

	Case Studies and Data Summary
	Click on a specific church below for a summary report
	Participating Churches in 2000:	Average Worship Attendance (9/31/00)
	Christian Life Center (W)	766
	City Bible Church (NE)	3000
	City Harvest Church (WA)	450
	Crossroads Church of Christ (NE)	675
	East Hill Foursquare Church (E)	5500
	Faith Center Church (WA)	500
	Good Shepherd Community Church (E)	3000+
	Greater Portland Bible (SW)	1074
	Mt. Olivet Baptist (N)	1400
	New Beginnings Christian Center (NE)	3000
	New Heights Church (WA)	3000
	New Hope Community Church (SE)	1700
	Portland Christian Center (SW)	1790
	Rolling Hills Community Church (SW)	2875
	Sunset Presbyterian Church (W)	2300

	The 15 Participating Churches are located in seven regions of the metropolitan area:

	N – 1	North Portland
	WA – 3	Vancouver, WA
	SW – 3	Southwest Portland
	SE – 1	Southeast Portland and Oregon City
	NE – 3	Northeast Portland
	E – 2	Gresham and Boring
	W – 2	Northwest Portland and Aloha
	These 15 leading churches represent nearly 10% of the weekly worship attendance of the Portland area. The following are the combined key statistics for the participating churches:
	Weekly worship attendance	34,436
	Weekly number of visitors:	532
	Annual number of conversions:	5381
	Annual number of new members:	2477 (many don’t record membership)
	Weekly Adult Education attendance:	4284
	Weekly small group attendance:	11,270