Church for the Unchurched

George Hunter examined the differences between churches in American that are in serious decline and those experiencing vibrant growth. With the overwhelming majority of American churches either plateaued or declining, Hunter wanted to know what made the difference. His thesis was that changes in the American culture have caused the role and influence of the church to diminish. Traditional church programs, structures, and symbols, which arose and flourished in the nineteenth century, no longer appeal to the culture of today. America has experienced a forty-yearlong cultural paradigm shift from modernity to postmodernism. Those churches that have adapted better to this cultural shift have exhibited tremendous success. Hunter calls these "apostolic" churches. These apostolic churches employ a ministry model consistent with the incipient church of the first century A.D. Just as the first century church was able to exegete its culture and provide culturally sensitive ministry, successful churches of the twenty-first century must understand their unique cultural dynamics and develop a ministry model consistent with its ministry context. Thriving churches take their culture seriously and adapt to their target audience. Hunter profiled nine apostolic churches that have effectively done this. Hunter also concluded that not only had traditional churches failed to adapt their ministry approach to the changing cultural milieu, their goals violate the original apostolic mission. Traditional churches desire to conform the beliefs, behavior, and characteristics of non-Christians to reflect those of their current membership. Their goal is to perpetuate the institution of the church in its present traditional form (e.g., pulpits, pews, and pipe organs). Non-Christians largely reject this effort as an unwarranted attempt to alter their cultural identity. Apostolic churches have the goal of transforming people into kingdom citizens equipped and energized to reach family and friends with the gospel message while respecting their culture. The aim of apostolic churches is to help people build loving relationships with God, fellow believers, and potential believers. Apostolic churches do a good job of adapting their expression of gospel truths in culturally appealing ways without compromising the essentials of the faith. Apostolic churches will even designed worship services to be non-threatening and culturally appealing. A key aspect of most apostolic churches is that they seek to connect believers and seekers with small groups. Hunter noted the biblical and historical precedent for small groups. Apostolic churches enable people to connect with several types of groups: nurture, discipleship, support, recovery, and ministry. Within these small groups, believers and seekers alike experience a community of caring and compassion dedicated to mutual support and spiritual growth. Members of the group share a common affinity and mutual accountability that binds them to the

George Hunter's book, "Church for the Unchurched" is a look of the principles that contribute to the success of churches in reaching out to unchurched, pre-Christian people. Hunter sees some common characterizations among these churches, although as he says, "one finds enough variety among them to find an exception to almost any generalization" (p.13). Hunter studied nine churches, with the most notable being Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, Saddleback Valley Community Church in Orange County, California, and Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati. Hunter has six chapters. Hunter begins by saying that the church is beginning to see the world through two lenses: the lens of Secularity and Modernity (p.20). Secular means that Christianity does not influence people, although this doesn't mean they are irreligious. There is a spiritual quest taking place in our world, but as Hunter says, "people now are about as likely to look outside the Christian tradition as inside it" (p.20). Modernity, which sprang from the eighteenth century Enlightenment, pictured a world that was rational, good, influenced more by Deism, scientific, and one that put a high value and emphasis on education. It was also pluralistic as far as religions are concerned. However, Hunter says that the world is becoming more postmodern. The Enlightenment's view, "which became the intellectual foundations of the modern Western world, have been questioned or abandoned-leaving the Western humanity without a consensus worldview" (p.22). What this means is that modern Christianity has lost its influenced because it no longer makes sense to some postmodern people. As Hunter says, "Christendom is largely dissolved, and the peoples of Europe and North America are increasingly secular" and "people are increasingly receptive to, and searching for, a satisfying worldview" and that "we are, once again, in an Apostolic age-much like the age that early Christianity engaged" (p.23). Churches today are stuck in a rut of "doing" church for an audience that is mostly Christian. And if we are going to fulfill the Great Commission for this new postmodern world, churches will need to take seriously the command of Jesus to "gather the harvest", as Jesus commanded. The traditional church is no longer able to reach out because of the "traditionalist" aspect of the method of sharing (pgs.24-25). We use methods and approaches that do not attract or reach out to secular people. We do not target unchurched, non-Christians (p.26). This is where Hunter's nine churches come in because they are reaching unchurched, non-Christian people. These Apostolic churches are "apostolic" because, like the root term "apostle" and patterned after the New Testament apostles, like Paul, "their leaders believe that they and the church are `called' and `sent' by God to reach an unchurched pre-Christian population" (p.28). I believe that this is an important aspect that churches need to embrace. The Gre

As a professor of Religion, I have used this book to teach many classes. Dr. Hunter just came to my school to lecture on some of his methods. Dr. Hunter has been noted as the number one Church Growth and Evangelism lecturer in the United States. This book is very helpful...but challenging to read. Many of my students have found some parts hard to understand because of the language he uses. Definitely worth the read....(Oh and Trust me the Theology is Right on Target with the scripture)

With so many thoughts on church growth and health, Hunter's book provides an excellent summary of the common practices of nine churches that exemplify the Biblical model of health and growth. Hunter's analysis is grounded in the Great Commission and the characteristics of the Apostolic church of early Christianity. I found this book highly engaging and inspiring, as well as informative. As a church planter, I believe that this book is the best treatment of church growth and health from a Biblical perspective. The chapter on cultural relavence is especially good, and should be required reading for every church leader today! Thanks to the author for this great book.

Hunter is a Dean of Missions. This book is a great survey of churches who approach their communities as mission fields. It covers the practices of over 6 growing and vigorous churches. Hunter makes a strong case for fully-involved congregations rooted in the Word but adopting a culturally relevant presentation. Because it is about many churches and not just one, the reader gets to see many approaches to Bible teaching, small groups, pastoring, ministry involvement, etc. making it easier to both see the bigger picture as well as find approaches that can be adapted in your own local church. An extensive list of resources is included as an appendix.