As part of a new feature here at the blog, I am planning to interview authors with books helpful for church leaders. B&H is helping me with the interviews (thanks Julie Gwinn), and it will include interviews with authors from many publishers about their books, mission, and focus. More on that later, but be sure to go by their church leadership portal, which is part of www.churchleadershipbooks.com.

There is a widget on the sidebar that will list each of the interviews so you can find them easily as you return to visit the blog.

The dubious honor of going first is to the Rainers, Sam and Thom, who have written a new book called Essential Church.

ES: What prompted you to write Essential Church? From where did the idea come?

TR: We were concerned about the abysmal assimilation rate we saw in churches across the U.S. Our goal was first to identify when a person is likely to drop out, why they would drop out, and what could churches change to prevent dropouts.

ES: Is there a personal experience featured in this book? Someone you knew from your time as a pastor who is one of the "drop-outs?"

TR: Yes, I dropped out of church when I was 16 years old, and did not return until my wife was pregnant with Sam, the co-author of the book.

ES: Discuss the research that was conducted and the 1,000 "drop-outs" that were interviewed.

SR: The research included interviews with young adults 18-30, and the study had a national scope. Most importantly, we wanted to hear their story. It wasn't enough for us to know the raw numbers. We wanted to know why they left.

ES: What was the main reason they determined church was no longer an essential part of their life?

TR: Basically the issue was that most churches were low-expectation churches. The leadership did not challenge the members nor expect the members to be a vital part of the congregation. That's why the dropout rate was so high between the ages of 18 and 22. Once young adults start making many of their own decisions, they saw the local church as an optional and, often, nonessential activity.

ES: Address the comment from the book that today's church is turning out soft and self-centered Christians.

TR: Because expectations are low, the response of the members is to approach their faith, at least as demonstrated through a local congregation, with little zeal. Also, the dropouts typically were in churches that did not teach and preach "meaty" sermons and lessons. There is a misperception among many church leaders that biblical depth and relevancy are mutually exclusive.

ES: So how much does "attitude" play a part in their decision to "drop-out?"

TR: In our local churches, we tend to get what we expect. If expectations are low, the attitude of the members is that I can really be on the sidelines in this church. If expectations are high, the members tend to respond with an attitude of zeal and commitment.

ES: What can be done to shut the "back door"?

SR: There were four key areas:

1. Simplify - Have a clear and understandable process of discipleship (Simple Church);

2. Deepen - Provide rich and deep biblical teaching both through the sermons and in small groups;

3. Expect - Do not compromise on the New Testament teachings of becoming a vital part of a local congregation; and

4. Multiply - be a missional church with highly intentional evangelistic outreach.

ES: How would you have used this book had you had the knowledge back when you were a pastor?

TR: I would have poured my life and given my time to leading the church in the four areas above. I spent too much time in less-than-important and unimportant activities when I was a pastor

ES: Can you share the good news/bad news you learned from the research?

TR: The bad news is that we are losing 70% of our members between the ages of 18 and 22. The good news is that the exodus can be slowed, and that reclamation of the dropouts can take place.

ES: Can you talk about co-writing with your son and his role in the project?

TR: One of the great joys of my life and the great passions of my life are my three sons: Sam, Art, and Jess. Hardly a day goes by that I don't speak to my sons. My love for them is beyond measure. From the day they were born to this day where they are three godly young men, my joy in spending time with them, in person or by phone, is incredible. Writing a book with a son allows me even more opportunity to spend time with them. One of my major life goals is to, somehow, pass the baton to my boys. How that takes place really depends on how God calls them and uses them. But I am so blessed. All three boys are smarter than I am, and more godly than I am. They have married three godly and wonderful young ladies. When people ask me who my heroes are, I saw without hesitancy, Sam, Art, and Jess.

ES: Explain the Essential Church event in February.

SR: The Essential Church Retreat is at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. At this conference, we will explore in depth how the church can reclaim a generation of dropouts. The event is for any leader who wants to know how to keep the younger generation in church. The dates are February 26-28, and registration information is found at www.lifeway.com/essentialchurch.

ES: Thom, I have known you for about 10 years and I remember you being on the road a lot, running a school, and preaching at churches. Yet, you have three sons who love the Lord and are engaged in ministries of different kinds. In Essential Church, you talk about the importance of parental involvement. How did you balance that out in your life?

TR: I really see more of my failures than successes. I was so busy, too busy. My boys are three of the greatest gifts given to me by God, but I neglected them more often than I am comfortable admitting.

The real hero (heroine) of this story is Nellie Jo. She is the greatest mom in the world, and she made certain that I was at most all of my boys events and with them for vital times in their lives. She would even work with my assistant to put the boys' activities on my calendar, so I would not be gone during those times. As a result, I had to cancel some engagements. But the hosts in almost every venue where I canceled were always gracious and supportive of my (Nellie Jo's) decision to be with one or more of the boys. In fact, through 20 years of traveling, speaking, and canceling, I only had one host who was not supportive of my decision. So the credit goes to Nellie Jo and understanding Christians, and the glory goes to God.

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Now, it's your turn.

Fell free to ask Sam and Thom questions. They will be around today to answer questions about Essential Church. Feel free to weigh in below.