Thom Rainer did a study a number of years ago asking formerly unchurched people the open-ended question, “What factors led you to choose this church?” A lot of surveys had been done asking the unchurched what they would like in a church. But this study asked the formerly unchurched why they actually were now in a church. The results were surprising: 11 percent said worship style led them to their church, 25 percent said children’s/youth ministry, and 37 percent said they sensed God’s presence at their church. For 41 percent, someone from the church had witnessed to them, and 49 percent mentioned friendliness as the reason for choosing their church. Can you guess the top two responses? Doctrine and preaching – 88 percent said the doctrine led them to their church, and 90 percent said the preaching led them there, in particular, a pastor who preached with certitude and conviction… When it comes to reaching outsiders, bold, deep, biblical preaching is not the problem. It’s part of the solution.

Kevin DeYoung

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Eggs, Grains			1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

3		Sticks unsalted butter (I used regular butter; and omitted the added salt in the recipe)
2	tb	Crisco shortening
2	c	Brown sugar
3/4	c	White sugar
2		Eggs
2	ts	High quality vanilla; (I used "ordinary" quality vanilla;-))
2 1/2	c	Unbleached flour
2	ts	Salt; (I omitted)
1	ts	Baking soda
6	c	Rolled oats
1	c	Walnuts; (I omitted)
1/2	c	Dried cranberries; (I added some extra – didn't measure the extra)

INSTRUCTIONS

Got this recipe from the Taste section of The Cincinnati Enquirer (don't
know which issue) - it's from Toni Davena and Mary McMahon, who own a
gourmet carry-out type restaurant called What's for Dinner? here in
Cincinnati. These cookies are deelish! Crispy on the edges, yet chewy near
the middle. Be forewarned, these cookies are not for those watching their
fat intake.(Who is, this time of year??:-)) Since this is the first time I
made these, I didn't try using any of the usual fat substitutions. Enjoy!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend butter, shortening, sugars, eggs, and
vanilla. Sift together flour, salt, and baking soda, and gradually add to
creamed mixture. Fold in oats, walnuts and cranberries. Refrigerate dough
until firm.
Using chilled cookie dough, roll balls about 1 1/2-inches in diameter and
space apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes. Makes 35 to 40
cookies.
Personal notes: These cookies flatten and spread out some when cooking.
Mine took closer to 13-14 minutes to bake, so baking time may vary with
different ovens.
Posted to FOODWINE Digest  by Elizabeth Post <millefiore@FUSE.NET> on Dec
14, 1997

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