George G. Hunter III's How to Reach Secular People has been his obsession for 25 years. His book is based on insights gleaned from an array of interviews with church professionals.

What kind of Christians and what kinds of churches reach secular people? I like Hunter’s quote from Nietzsche: "I shall not believe in the redeemer of these Christians until they show me they are redeemed.”

The kinds of churches that reach secular people are relational; they work strategically and carry on an active lay ministry. These churches believe people need Christ as a savior, and the church should minister to those seekers, and not the faithful. They have high expectations of members; they know what to change and what to preserve; they meet people where they are.

Churches that reach secular people use music that everyone can relate to. They start new congregations and get involved in world mission. These effective churches research their communities, profile target populations, deploy laity in ministry, train people for Christian witness, offer seeker-sensitive Sunday worship services, challenge people to make commitments, partner with other churches, stay open to the power of God, and maintain a clear sense of direction and strategy.

--Rev. Dr. David Laubach