Posted on 09/30/2002 9:19:01 AM PDT by PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain
VENTURA, Calif. -- Pollster George Barna, known these days as the bearer of bad tidings about the state of Christianity in America, arrived in his office a few minutes late for a 10 a.m. appointment.
His hair was ruffled; his eyes puffy. Shoulders slouched. Being the George Gallup of the conservative evangelical world is a heavy burden for Barna, who often works into the early morning, deciphering numbers generated by his surveys to find church trends.
The 48-year-old author of 30 books, who describes himself as a raging introvert, is a popular national speaker. And he produces enough in-your-face statistics and blunt talk to irritate pastors, cost him business and earn a reputation for having, as one magazine put it, "the gift of discouragement."
His data undercut some of the core beliefs that should, by definition, set evangelicals apart from their more liberal brethren. Findings of his polls show, for example, that:
• The divorce rate is no different for born-again Christians than for those who do not consider themselves religious.
• Only a minority of born-again adults (44 percent) and a tiny proportion of born-again teenagers (9 percent) are certain that absolute moral truth exists.
• Most Christians' votes are influenced more by economic self-interest than by spiritual and moral values.
• Desiring to have a close, personal relationship with God ranks sixth among the 21 life goals tested among born-agains, trailing such desires as "living a comfortable lifestyle."
'Are people's lives being transformed" by Christianity? Barna has asked. "We can't find evidence of a transformation."
Even Barna's toughest critics concede that Barna Research Group's polls carry considerable weight because of his first-rate surveying techniques and his 17-year-long record of tracking church and cultural trends.
His work has been used by major companies (Ford Motor Co. and Walt Disney, for example) and religious organizations such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and World Vision.
"He is the accepted authority on church trends," said Bob Cavin, director of the Texas Baptist Leadership Center. "He gives pastors insight, not only into the effectiveness of the church, but with trends in society that help the pastors with their strategic planning."
Because of his influence, many are watching with interest as Barna branches out from his usual business. He has been preoccupied with quantifying contemporary Christian beliefs, attitudes and practices; comparing them with biblical truths; and delivering the results to pastors, Christian leaders and laity. He said that he once hoped his analyses would be used as building blocks for more relevant churches.
But he decided this year to take a more active role by helping to identify and develop new and better church leaders who will boldly go where their predecessors haven't gone before: to radically revamp the church. He said he believes the process will take decades -- generations -- to complete.
"One of our challenges is to revisit the structures and means through which people experience Christ," Barna said. "People have been talking about developing the 'new church' for the past several decades, but nothing new has been forthcoming."
According to Barna, pastors are great teachers, but not necessarily adept at leadership. To back up his claim, he cited one of his own polls: It showed that only 12 percent of senior pastors say they have the spiritual gift of leadership and 8 percent say they have the gift of evangelism. In contrast, two-thirds say they have the gift of teaching or preaching.
"We, not God, have created a system that doesn't work and that we're reluctant to change."
Barna also is in the early stages of establishing a genuine and appealing Christian presence in secular entities: film, music, media and politics. He has identified these as the institutions that hold the most influence over Americans.
What's needed are "skilled professionals who love Christ and model his ways through their thoughts, words and behavior in enviable and biblically consistent ways," he said.
For Barna, the need for better leadership and better Christian role models in the secular world was underscored by a poll he released this month.
9/11 opportunity lost
The survey showed that the Sept. 11 attacks had virtually no lasting effects on America's faith, despite a 20 percent rise in church attendance during the first few weeks afterward.
"We missed a huge opportunity," he said, adding that, because of their own shallow faith, church regulars needed so much reassurance themselves that they couldn't minister to newcomers.
This kind of comment bothers evangelical Christians.
Mike Regele, author of "The Death of the Church," is one of many who believe the Barna Research Group's statistical work is excellent, but the conclusions drawn by the company's founder are too harsh.
The hypocrisy of Christians, Regele said, "has been a part of the church, probably since the day of Pentecost" and doesn't indicate its collapse.
"It sounds like he's very, very angry at the church," said Regele, a church critic himself who is ultimately an optimist. "There are reasons to be disappointed, but scripture never said we'd be perfect. We shouldn't view the whole institution as a failure."
With each new Barna poll or book, the attacks begin again: He's too negative; he has it in for pastors; he's arrogant.
The criticism "would affect any human being," said Barna, a husband and father of two. "We all want to be loved and accepted by others, but we also have a higher calling to which we each must be true."
Barna said he has learned painfully that giving advice on how to revitalize churches in America is a hugely complex proposition that doesn't fit well into sound bites. He has learned to be more guarded.
Although his statistics often show self-described Christians living lives no different from those of atheists, Barna's faith never has wavered.
"The issue isn't whether Jesus or Christianity is real," he said. "The issue is, are Americans willing to put Christ first in their lives?
It is line by line teaching/preaching . There are a few young children that attend..he stops on and off and goes over terms like justification for them..But the children are given meat like the adults..
The one decent Sunday school teacher at the seeker friendly church..the one that challanged his class to learn and taught the bible ling by line is gone from there..so the bottle fed babes can go no with no meat..
When Christ comes for his church many will still be in diapers and the Pastors will have to answer for that!
No but I can give an example of someone [ ;>) ] not reading the post closely. One is an outreach program and the other is a service. One does not get communion and the other should. That is: I AGREED with you and you didn't even recognize it. (Too shocking to contemplate....!)
As far as what shape an outreach program can take, the Apostle Paul answers that he become all things to all people that by all means he might win some.
I am asking this question seriously, not in a sarcastic tone:). I have never been into any church where the difference in the crowd is discernable from the crowd at a fair, etc.. MY question is, is the difference discernable among the church people at your church when they are NOT in church?
Mego church or not, my experience would lead me to answer this question NO:(, how about you?
Becky
You are discussing evangelication as a CHURCH ministry..and bringing the unsaved INTO the church
An outreach program, and those who attend it, should be viewed as an extension ministry of the church. Those who run it should be church members.
That is NOT my position...My position is that every Born again believer is a missionary..no church program needed
If you are pastoring them correctly and giving them meat they do not need a program overseem by the pastor and the church...it will be as natural as breathing
Can you show me a scripture that indicates that the unsaved attended the home churches at all?
Are reform Baptist all calvinist?
It is line by line teaching/preaching . There are a few young children that attend..he stops on and off and goes over terms like justification for them..But the children are given meat like the adults..
Thats great Mom, Oh that would happen in more churches.
BigMack
Like I said, it's sad that this has to be pointed out to these so called "church" activity leaders, and I have a feeling this has to be said frequently at/to all church youth activity leaders. Somehow the fun takes over and even the leaders forget what the main purpose is for.
Becky
We are not "program centered" but we are, instead, Christ-centered. Might as well be a Lion's Club program if we forget that point.
Fun without a sermon? What is the world coming to! ;o)
I disagree that every activity need to have an explicit "devotional including the plan of salvation". If the church sponsors a group of kids to take a ski trip, does something like this need a sermon? I'd expect that most of these kids should already know about "the plan of salvation". Those who have not been "born again" can be approached one-on-one, outside of the ski trip, to ask where they are at, to teach and guide them, etc. I do think there is value to having events simply to have events where the kids are in a wholesome environment freed for a time from secular cultural pressures.
JMHO.
On Sundays he will stop once in a while and say ...as Calvinists we see it this way...and then return to the main teaching. I have actually learned more CHRISTIAN doctrine in the last few months than in 25 years..and I am not talking CALVINIST doctrine I am talking Biblical doctrine ...
Mack do not lock yourself into a shell ..go looking...you owe it to your kids..
Maybe...just maybe, if the kids were getting enough bible teaching at home it might be different. The purpose of the church (the people not the organization) is to spread the gospel. That should always be foremost in the mind of a church member.
At the churchs I have attended, whenever there are special activities the "church kids" are encouraged to bring friends. This maybe that kids only chance to hear anything about the bible. It also teaches the inviter how to teach God's Word themselves.
Becky
What is this? Mack tries to convert me to IFBB, while Mom tries to convert him to Calvinism? When y'all have decided amongst yourselves what Christianity really teaches, let me know.
Mom, do you really see that much difference between your beliefs and Mack's? How important do you see these differences as being?
Imagine that. ;o)
The purpose of the church (the people not the organization) is to spread the gospel.
And what is the purpose of spreading the gospel? Serious question.
Outreach services are not the same as individuals being responsible for evangelization...Soup kitchens..food pantries...and even basketball is FULFILLING the gospel..it is the expectation that is a function of the church.. not to grow numbers..but to be obedient to the gospel (can you see the different focus I have in this??)
So often instead of presenting the gospel to a workmate or friend they say "come to church with me" so they Pastor can do it..THAT IS NOT THE FUNCTION of the Pastor..
His "job " is to mature the saints..so THEY can present the gospel themselves
The bible says they will know us by our love..If we are living out the gospel they will want to know what sets us apart..and THEN is time to tell them.
Becky
Now that is a good point, Mom. Christians are doing what they should be doing by taking a meal to an elderly shut-in, for example. They are "preaching" through their actions rather than their words.
The difference between Mack and Becky and me..is in the order of Salvation. We agree that without Christ man is lost..we agree that Jesus is the way...
Loving and ministering is whole different thing then fun and games, pizza and skating parties.
You cannot love and minister to people any better way then sharing the gospel.
contrived and manipulative
No, loving and ministering:)
Becky
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