Nonchurched refers to a person who is not currently connected to a Christian church. Some nonchurched people are dechurched, meaning they were connected to a Christian church but are not any longer. Other nonchurched people are unchurched, meaning they have never been connected to a Christian church.
We are called to bear witness to the nonchurched people whom we meet through our different vocations. Our vocations are our everyday, God-given life circumstances, including our family, job, neighborhood, and church community. The nonchurched people in our lives, both dechurched and unchurched, need to hear God’s word, and we have been placed in their lives by God to bear witness to His saving grace!
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Resources Available
As with witnessing in any context, witnessing to a person who is dechurched first requires developing a real, authentic relationship with that person. As someone who once was connected to the Christian church, that person likely is familiar with what Christians believe—or at least, what he or she thinks Christians believe.
This factual knowledge of Christianity does not negate the spiritual peril of being disconnected from the church, however. We believe that faith is strengthened by regularly hearing the Word and partaking of the Sacraments, so dechurched people need to be re-integrated into the church to grow in faith and, ultimately, be saved by God’s grace. That re-integration starts with a relationship and a conversation.
The Every One His Witness Context Modules specifically address witnessing to people who are dechurched.
Modules currently available include:
- Dechurched Adult Children
Modules planned include:
- Drifted Away
- Burned Out (“Dones”)
- Bad Experience
- “Christians in name only”
- Long-term Inactive Members
Preview: Witnessing to Dechurched Adult Children
Every One His Witness Website
Every One His Witness Self-Study Guide
More Information
See Also
- Witnessing (Individual Evangelism)
- Basic Witnessing
- Witnessing in Specific Contexts
- World Religions
- Religious Organizations & Movements
- Unchurched
- Life Events/Issues
- Human Care
- Outreach (Congregational Evangelism)