The 5 People Most Drawn to Launching Faith Gatherings
Launching Faith gatherings tends to draw five types of people. Interestingly, these are the same people that most traditional churches find hard to reach.
The “After the Exit” Christian
This is the person who has left the church but not their faith. These individuals often:
still believe in God
still value Jesus
still want spiritual growth
But they have stepped away because of things like:
church politics
burnout
institutional frustration
spiritual disappointment
They may say things like: “I still believe, I just don’t fit in church anymore.” This group is precisely the audience for the book After the Exit. Launching Faith gatherings provides them with something they truly miss.
spiritual conversation
authentic community
faith without pressure
The Spiritual Explorer
These individuals are interested in spirituality but cautious about organized religion. They often:
ask big life questions
enjoy philosophical conversations
are open to learning about Jesus
appreciate thoughtful dialogue
But they might have assumptions about the church, like:
“It’s judgmental.”
“I won’t belong there.”
“They’ll try to convert me immediately.”
Launching Faith gatherings works well for them because the environment is:
conversational
relational
welcoming to questions
They can explore their faith without feeling confined.
The Relational Seeker
Some people are just lonely and seeking community. This is a significant cultural problem today. They want:
meaningful relationships
people to talk with
a sense of belonging
But they might not be specifically looking for a church; a gathering in a bar, coffee shop, or restaurant feels much more natural than walking into a sanctuary. Often, these individuals become highly engaged once they experience authentic community.
The Faith-Adjacent Friend
This person is linked to someone already at the gathering. They might attend because:
A friend invited them
They enjoy the group
They trust someone at the table
They might not start out seeking spiritual reasons. But over time, they encounter:
Scripture
prayer
faith conversations
Many people eventually start exploring faith on their own. This is often how many encounter Jesus in the Gospels - through relationships first.
The Everyday Disciple
This person already follows Jesus but seeks a more relational and missional way of expressing their faith. They often feel:
The traditional church is too programmatic
Faith should be lived more relationally
Discipleship should be more natural
These people often become:
Hosts
Facilitators
Gathering leaders
They support the movement's growth by embracing the vision of faith lived in daily life.
Why These Five Groups Matter
If you examine these five groups carefully, you will see they represent millions of people. Many are:
spiritually open
relationally oriented
cautious about institutions
But they are rarely reached through traditional church models. Launching Faith gatherings naturally reaches them because the environment is:
conversational
relational
spiritually authentic