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You know I have read most of Barna's stuff with great relish. I think he is a great researcher and analyst. What I don't agree with is his assesment of contemporary evangelicalism or his prescription for the cure to current problems he is proposing. My objection is not to marketing or getting the message out by any means possible.

What I have a problem is the belief that new programs, new technologies, new methods, a repackaging of the message of the Cross in more palatable forms is going to stem the tide.

What is needed is for the Church to get on our knees and pray for a heaven sent revival. The revivals that have been spawned throughout the history of the western church have always come during times when the church had lost its relevence to the culture and have resulted in tremendous cultural shifts and the overthrowing of ungodly strongholds in our society.

Modernity expects predictable results through application of certain technologies. To me this is trap that Barna has fallen into, and the reality that the results he expected have not come about is at the root of his disappointment.

Again, our response to the realities about the Church that he describes, should be calling the church to repentence, fasting and prayer as we wait for God to do what is next in His agenda for us. While we wait we need to continue to be faithful to what He has clearly commanded us--preach the gospel and minster healing to the broken and poor.

What is needed is for the Church to get on our knees and pray for a heaven sent revival.

I heard this same cant from years of experience. We got down our knees and prayed. Then we went home and turned on television.

Sadly, it seems that God requires more. Read the book of Ezra. From memory, I believe that God's people had lost their way. When the prophet called to mind that fact, the king commaned a fast a a reading of the law to the people.

The people repented.

I doubt that happening in the USA.