Posted on 04/27/2004 11:50:27 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
A newly released survey commission by Promise Keepers shows Christian men don't see issues of faith and spirituality as challenges in their lives, focusing more on family, work and health concerns.
The poll, conducted by California-based Barna Research Group, found 85 percent of Christian men are not "spiritually challenged," according to a statement from Promise Keepers, a Colorado-based men's organization.
Rather than issues regarding their faith or spiritual growth, respondents said family and children (42 percent) are a top "challenge" in their lives, along with career/money (39 percent) and health concerns (20 percent). Just one in eight said spirituality was a challenge to focus on.
Steve Chavis, communications director for Promise Keepers, said the results were indicative of men's tendency to strictly divide issues in their lives.
Chavis told WND: "Our analysis of [the data] says as men are known to compartmentalize, we look at the end result – the money, the family – but we're actually talking about spiritual issues, but we don't necessarily make that connection.
"Challenges of being a better Christian, reading the Bible more, being more effective in evangelism showed up marginally in the survey."
In addition, the survey showed nearly six in 10 Christian men are "marginally satisfied" with their church experience.
"It's certainly clear to us that we have a great mission field in front of us in reaching the men of America," said Tom Fortson, Ph.D., president and CEO of Promise Keepers, in the statement. "Much, much more needs to be done to engage men with their spiritual side, and then to see them make an impact on their families, churches and communities. We've only scratched the surface."
Though the survey found most men had at least three good friends who were believers, just 42 percent said they would turn to Christian friends during a time of crisis.
The men's group said it was pleased that 68 percent of respondents had heard of Promise Keepers.
"We are gratified that so many men who call themselves Christians or who attend church know about our work," Fortson said. "Still, we are looking for ways to expand our influence not only in the church, but into the broader society as well."
The poll included 415 men chosen randomly and 200 men from Promise Keepers' own constituent files. All of the respondents identified themselves as "born-again Christian" or "active church attenders." They hailed from Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Baltimore and Atlanta.
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