George Barna, in his book "Revolution," asks some tough questions regarding modern believers and the local church. A few quotes to consider:
"One of the greatest frustrations of my life has been the disconnection between what our research consistently shows about churched Christians and what the Bible calls us to be...
if the local church is comprised of people who have been transformed by the grace of God through their redemption in Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, then their lives should be noticeably and compellingly different from the norm."
"Only one out of four believers will allocate some time to serving other people. Most of that time is dedicated to volunteering in church programs that serve congregants; little effort is invested in serving needy people outside the congregation. Most churched Christians admit to seeing homeless or hurting people in their community...a very small percentage admit to interacting with them."
"A large majority of churched believers rely upon their church, rather than their family, to train their children to become spiritually mature. In an average month, fewer than one out of ten churched families worship together outside of a church service; just as few pray together, other than at mealtimes..."
Statistics show that "participating in church-based activities does not necessarily draw you closer to God or prepare you for a life that satisfies Him or enhances your existence."
This book is controversial in many facets, yet convicting. Barna repeatedly states that he is not trying to disparage or dismiss local churches. His statistics clearly show, however, that for a majority of professed believers in America, their faith is not vibrant and growing in church as we know it. In fact, a high percentage of new believers become disallusioned in a short period of time. His research shows that alternatives, such as house church, cyberchurch, etc., is and will be exploding in growth in the future.
If church is not vibrant, exciting, and meaningful, who can we blame?
If our lives are no different than unbelievers, who can we blame?
If we lose the joy of God's salvation, who can we blame?
I suppose the answer is....ourselves.
Barna's book reveals the characteristics of the Laodicean church and of the time when people have itching ears. It verified what we already know and see. We are seeking God's answer concerning it. It brings to mind Romans 13:11-14.
ReplyDeleteWhy are we concerned with Barna's views? What credibility has he established with the Lord's churches?
ReplyDeleteHey brother...
ReplyDeleteIs there an ABA credibility stamp somewhere?
I suppose in the vein of Rick Warren, Barna has no credibility with ABA churches, yet some of his statistics/observations have been accurate for quite a few years.
Barna & Neil Cole books have prompted many to become involved in "house churches." (which I'm sure you are a great fan of)
Those views I don't necessarily embrace(although churches in homes could be scriptural I suppose).
But Barna's observations of cold Christians and churches are convicting and seem pretty accurate.
*Your questions are curious, Bro. <><
"some of his statistics/observations have been accurate for quite a few years". Evidence?
ReplyDeletewikipedia.org (see BarnaGroup)
ReplyDeletebarna.org (since the 1980's providing statistics and research on current cultural and spiritual trends)
Or maybe I just made it all up???
No intended insinuation of intellectual dishonesty on your part, whether by intent(your being a liar) or by accident (hallucinogenic episode). My questioning Barna was directed more at his criteria for polling. Exactly what does he consider a "Christian"? What is his idea of a church? When research results are offered, is it unfair to make certain the process is valid? Should I feel these poll results applicable to the Lord's churches if he(Barna) has a loose definition of a Christian and if he embraces a universal church theology? If these be true, his data means nothing to me.
ReplyDeleteOkay. I guess Barna's data kind of speaks to you how Charlie Daniels' data speaks to me:)
ReplyDeleteJust offered interesting observations from the book. Wouldn't try to defend 100% any author or book but God and the Bible. Happy?
"then their lives should be noticeably and compellingly different from the norm."
ReplyDeleteIs he suggesting that we will have no more struggles and problems because we have been redeemed?
"little effort is invested in serving needy people outside the congregation."
Since when did it become the church's responsibility to feed the hungry and provide shelter for the homeless. That's why we have welfare and shelters.
"their faith is not vibrant and growing in church as we know it. In fact, a high percentage of new believers become disallusioned in a short period of time."
What were they putting their faith in and what were their expectations?
"If church is not vibrant, exciting"
Are we supposed to be in the entertainment business as well as feeding the hungry?
In response to saved. . . First of all if you are going to make comments be man enough to say who you are. Second, read II Corinthians 5:17. Third, churches in the past did help feed the hungry and provide for the needy. There all all kinds of verses in the Bible where Jesus talks about being a servant, etc. On the part about being vibrant and exciting, vibrant simply means being alive and if you actually knew my husband you would know that has nothing to do with entertainment. If you are trying to just trash Barna thats fine, if you are trying to defend Mike Wilkes I think he can do that he can handle himself. At least as long as I have known him he has always been quite capable.
ReplyDeleteI normally don't respond to unknown quantities, but here goes:
ReplyDelete"Saved"
Your first question is too silly to even address.
Second, "Serving needy people" involves not only physical, but spiritual. It is not the church's primary responsibility to help people physically, but I believe I John 3:17 might help you "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
Third, I don't know what disallusioned Christians have put their faith in?
Fourth, entertainment business... no.
Feeding the hungry...yes, if the opportunity presents itself.
I am confident if these same words and ideas in the post had been written by an ABA author, everyone would have amened to high heaven.
Splicing and dicing what is obvious seems like a waste of time....
The first question I asked was because of the common misconception that many have that after we are saved life is gravy. Many fail to realize that after one is saved is when the battle begins (spirit vs flesh). I know I have troubles and battles. I'm not always holding my head up high. I still have human emotions therefore I will be sad at times, mad, frustrated, disappointed, and so on. Others may see me and wonder.. "I wonder what's wrong with him, he's supposed to be a Christian?"
ReplyDeleteYou know that's what they are thinking.
The second question.
The reason I have a problem with this topic is because it came across, to me anyway, that if we aren't helping the needy we are uncaring and unconcerned. We do have churches that can and do help, and that's wonderful. I never said don't help them, I simply said it's not our responsibility. Our responsibility is spiritual, not physical.
The third question I asked relates to the first question. Maybe they were expecting their lives to change dramatically for the better not realizing their battle was just beginning therefore, causing them to lose their faith.
The fourth question.
I'm sorry if I misunderstood what you meant Bro. Neal. It's just that we see in many churches today, they are appealing more to the flesh, a physical experience, rather than a spiritual experience.
Defending Mike Wilkes? No.
Defending our churches? Yes.
Saved,
ReplyDeleteCome on, Brother(I guess). Thanks for having my back.