The Barna Group Update

September 25, 2007 | Filed Under church, culture |

If you have any doubt about the waning influence of the church in America read Barna’s latest update here. A new study conducted by the Barna Group among 16 to 29 year olds shows that a new generation is more skeptical of and resistant to Christianity than were people of the same age just a decade ago.

I find many of Barna’s findings to be reminiscent of Kimball’s latest book “They Like Jesus But Not The Church.” What this generation is skeptical of is not the way of Jesus, but the “way” of judgmental, hypocritical Christians. I appreciated one of the final paragraphs in the Barna update:

Some Christians fear the changing reputation of Christianity and it certainly represents an uncomfortable future. Yet, rather than being defensive or dismissive, we should learn from critics, especially those young Christians who are expressing consternation about the state of faith in America. Jesus told us to expect hostility and negative reactions. That is certainly nothing new.

But the issue is what we do with it. Is it a chance to defend yourself and demand your rights? Or is it an opportunity to show people grace and truth? Common ground is becoming more difficult to find between Christians and those outside the faith. When the Apostle Paul advises believers to “live wisely among those who are not Christians” and to “let your conversation be gracious and effective,” (Colossians 4:5-6, NLT) he could be writing no better advice to committed Christians in America.

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5 comments so far
  1. Ted M. Gossard September 25, 2007 7:18 pm

    Brad, Good words. Good important heads up for us. We need to be sensitive as to whether we’re the stumbling block for many. I’m afraid too often we are. We need to repent and learn from it.

  2. This Week In Blogs! « Sets ‘n’ Service September 28, 2007 7:11 pm

    [...] Brad Brisco draws the lines between UnChristian and They Like Jesus but Not the Church [...]

  3. Georges Boujakly September 29, 2007 1:47 pm

    Thanks Brad.

    I read the Barna report and hopefully soon I would read UnChristian.

    I believe this gives urgency to the missional order we are on the way to create. I believe a missional life that is focussed on Jesus and his creed, rather than church and programs would go a long way to regain an opportunity to show the validity of the Christian way.

    I join Ted in repentance for playing a part in the despairing of the young. Lord, have mercy!
    G.K. Chesterton’s words sound more apropos now than ever before: Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, rather, it has not been tried at all.

  4. Brad Brisco September 29, 2007 2:14 pm

    Georges, yes I agree about the need for a missional order. I think it would provide opportunities for others (including the young that Barna is speaking about) to journey the Jesus way together outside traditional structures. So why don’t you get busy on this! :)

  5. Christian Accessories June 11, 2008 10:20 pm

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