For his book "Surprising Insights from the Unchruched," Dr. Thom Rainer and his researchers interviewed more than 350 "formerly unchurched" people to better understand why they now attend church.

In addition to the open-ended question of what factors led them to the church they attend, researchers asked the straightforward question: "Did relationships play a part in your choosing this church?"

The responses were a simple yes or no. More than one-half of the formerly unchurched gave a positive response to this question.

Many indicated relationships were among the factors leading them to Christ and to the church.

The transfer churched, Christians moving from one church to another, were not as influenced by relationships in their choosing a church home. Only 36 percent indicated a relationship played a role in their decision to join a particular church.

Why were relationships less important to the transfer churched? Rainer's researchers received two common responses.

First, the transfer churched have been Christians for a while. Though they would like to have friends or family in the church they are joining, other issues are more important to them.

The doctrine of the church, the quality of Sunday school, the opportunity to get involved, and the availability of particular ministries and programs are among the issues that supersede relationships. And most of the transfer churched felt they would have no problem getting to know other Christians in the church.

Second, many of the transfer churched told researchers they had just moved to a new city or community. They therefore had no relationships established as they looked for a new church home.