LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Researcher and author Thom S. Rainer, who was nominated for a Gold Medallion Book Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association for his 2003 book, "The Unchurched Next Door," is at work on another book, "Breakout Churches: Discover How to Make the Leap."

Widely acclaimed for his groundbreaking research on the unchurched, Rainer's 2003 book was chosen as a finalist from among 471 books from 58 publishers submitted this year, for its answers to pivotal questions for church leaders interested in winning the hearts of the unchurched for Christ.

Rainer's new book is based on research of churches that experienced a growth plateau and decline because of poor leadership, conflict, building or space issues, or a moral failure on the part of the pastor. Rainer, who is Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, sorted through 52,000 churches to find 13 that escaped from mediocrity and became a breakout church - without changing pastors.

Rainer has already previewed his findings for The Healthy Church Leader conference, the first of a three-part Church Health Conference Series hosted by Church Central. Rainer will divulge more of his breakout research at the second conference, "Breakout Churches: Discover How to Make the Leap," Thurs., Sept. 16, at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville.

Dr. T. Vaughn Walker, professor of black church studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and senior pastor of First Gethsemane Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., will speak as a pastor of one of the "breakout" churches.

Bob Russell, senior minister of one of the top five largest churches in America, Southeast Christian, will also speak.

For more information or to register, click here.