Searching for Seekers

Seekers are those who have had little or no exposure to the faith, and for whom traditional worship is often uninviting and uninspired. While not in tune with the language and structures of traditional church, they are grasped by a deep longing for connection with God and people of faith.
If we are to reach this new generation of the unchurched, Mary Scifres argues, we must understand who they are. There are many different types of Seekers and many different spiritual needs and hungers they bring with them to church. Some, for example, are what the author calls the "Sunday-Schooled Seekers," those who have a background in the faith as children, yet who dropped out of the church as adolescents and now come seeking a new, more mature experience of God. Others are the "Anti-Church Seekers," who grew up in an environment hostile or indifferent to organized religion, yet who are aware of a deep longing for spiritual connection. The needs and expectations of these and other Seekers are often very different; and if the healing word of the gospel is to reach them, we must understand those different motivations and needs. Containing sample services for different kinds of "Seeker-friendly" worship services, this book will provide pastors and other church leaders with a thoughtful, yet practical introduction to who Seekers are and how the church might best minister to them.