No matter where breakout churches were located, they were able to overcome their difficulties, according to the latest research from Dr. Thom S. Rainer. He recently studied 13 mediocre congregations that grew to become vibrant, healthy churches without changing pastors. To his surprise, Rainer discovered that there was little correlation between location and growth.

"One of the surprises was that the location of a church had almost nothing to do with the struggles and subsequent breakout of these churches," Rainer said.

"Some of the churches have great locations demographically, but others have lousy locations."

Instead of locale, the simplest explanation for the success of breakout churches came from an outward focus, Rainer said.

"If there is any one basic lesson, it is to lead the church to an outward focus. The great majority of churches in America are focused on their own needs and desires."

Rainer said that an outward focus is fundamental for church health and church growth. He said his research continues to reinforce those sorts of essentials.

"In essence, the research continues to remind the church to get back to basics," he said. "While we should seek to be cutting-edge in our ministries and methodologies, we should not neglect basic and biblical principles for church health."

Rainer will share his latest research at the "Breakout Churches: Discover How to Make the Leap " conference in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 16. The event is a precursor to the release of his book by the same title due out later this year from Zondervan Publishing.

"The biggest news," Rainer said, "is that God is not done with our churches. Through the stories of 13 remarkable churches, we see God's possibilities for so many churches in our nation and our world."

Rainer is a widely respected expert on church health and leadership. He has written 15 books on church health and leads one of the premier church research teams in the country.

He serves as Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville and is president of the Rainer Group, a successful consulting firm. He and his colleagues have consulted more than 500 churches on church health and growth.

Click here for more information and registration for "Breakout Churches: Discover how to Make the Leap."