[SeekAndFind]

To understand the range and differences among American Christians, Christianity Today International (publisher of Leadership) recently partnered with Zondervan Publishers to commission Knowledge Networks to conduct attitudinal and behavioral research of U.S. Christians. In September 2006, more than 1,000 self-identified Christians 18 years of age and older were surveyed on their religious beliefs and practices. The results reveal a number of significant differences, illustrated by the examples of Hua and Smith. In fact, portraits of five distinct segments emerged from the study. We have named them Active, Professing, Liturgical, Private, and Cultural Christians.

Each group represents about one-fifth of those identifying themselves as Christian, with Active Christians (such as Hua) most likely to have a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that affects their beliefs and inspires an active church life; Cultural Christians (such as Smith) are least likely to align their beliefs or practices with biblical teachings, or attend church. Between the two is a range of beliefs, commitment levels, and public practice of the faith.

Leadership discussed the survey results with leading pastors and religious experts to ascertain the ramifications for church leaders. Three critical issues emerged:

1. The local church is no longer considered the only outlet for spiritual growth.

2. Churches must develop relational- and community-oriented outreach.

3. Lay people have to be better equipped to be God's ambassadors.

Faith Yes, Church Maybe

The survey shows that for nearly half of Christians, involvement in a local church body is a minimal part of their daily lives

[SeekAndFind]

[djf]

You can sum up his two greatest messages with three words.

Forgive.
Judge not.

Works for me!

[fkabuckeyesrule]

I geuss I’m in that second group. It’s been hard to impossible to really connect with the people at a local church here where churches tend to be pretty large and personally shallow.

[Mr. Silverback]

The survey shows that for nearly half of Christians, involvement in a local church body is a minimal part of their daily lives

Yet these Christians are in conflict with scripture, specifically Hebrews 10:25. Of course, I guess that's no big deal next to denying the whole idea that one must believe in Christ to be saved and also believing the bloodthirsty god of Islam is the same as the Prince of Peace.

[Kimmers]

We all need accountability and I think fellowship with a church or a group of Christians is very important.

Having said this, it also depends on the philosophy of the group we attend. There are so many feel good churches out there, the word of God has been watered down to a point of “oops, we don't want to offend the masses with biblical truth.”

[TheBattman]

It all goes back to one question - what is the Biblical picture of a “Christian”?

Well - the dictionary definition is one who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. So, by inferance, one who does not follow Jesus is not a Christian.

Which of the two cases above comes closer to following Christ’s instructions (and indeed, the Bible’s teachings regarding followers of Christ)?

Jesus Himself said there is only ONE way - that being through Christ. So for anyone to believe otherwise is to be deceived and not of His.

Thus the reason I use the term CINO (much like the much-loved RINO term used here frequently). Christian In Name Only.

But we know that a time is coming (but none can know the exact hour) that the Lord will return and then it will be abundantly clear who were truly His. My firm belief - MANY will be caught unaware and will stand before the throne of judgment making excuses - everything from “my priest never told me that” to “but I was a good person”. And the saddest words ever to be uttered will be heard - over and over - “Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity, for I never knew you”.

While I am a Baptist by faith and practice, I make no qualms that we Baptists will have exclusive run of Heaven. But I also firmly believe that some denominations will be rare in representation in God’s Kingdom.

[Alex Murphy]

Ping to read later

[DouglasKC]

The results are not surprising:

Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
Mat 7:23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Jesus predicted that in the end MANY will confess to be Christians. Many will do miracles in the name of Christ. Yet Jesus won't know them. The defining characteristic is that they practice lawlessness. They don't practice and do God's laws.

[SkyPilot]

Interesting.

The bottom line when you do the math is there are a lot less Christians in America than the number bandied about.

That makes sense though. Christ said the road to salvation is narrow, and few find it.

[Gumdrop]

The third group amused me. There was no mention of bible reading for Catholics and Lutherans.

Does the author realize that for regular church-going Catholics, the entire New Testament is bible is repeated every three years. And the Old testament is read at every Mass too! I know lots of Catholics and Lutherans who are in regular bible studies too.

Otherwise the information was good. I just wish it would be more realistic about what a practicing Catholic is exposed to with regular attendance at Holy Mass.

[Elsie]

This is a bigoted and biased survey!

There is NO mention of us MORMON Christians!

--MormonDude(We're always marginalized..)