Monday, April 11, 2005

Out-of-church Christianity

Interesting article clip from www.joelnews.nl on the church trend in North America...could it be a 2nd reformation?

3. TREND: Significant increase in out-of-church Christianity

A nationwide survey conducted by the USA based Barna Research Groupindicates that the number of unchurched adults in America continues to growby nearly a million people annually. Interestingly, many of theseunchurched people are spiritually active. One out of every five reads theBible in a typical week; six out of ten pray to God each week; and nearlyone million unchurched adults tithe their income - that is, donate at least 10% of their annual household revenue to non-profit entities.

The religious media play a part in their spiritual life, too, with four outof ten absorbing Christian content through television, radio, magazines orf aith-based websites during a typical month. In addition, one-quarter ofthem have conversations with one or more friends who held them accountablefor carrying out their faith principles.

Having studied church attendance patterns for more than twenty years,researcher George Barna suggests that the consistent resistance to churchlife in recent years is indicative of a historic shift in the nation'sspiritual vision. "A large and growing number of Americans who avoidcongregational contact are not rejecting Christianity as much as they areshifting how they interact with God and people in a strategic effort tohave a more fulfilling spiritual life. This suggests that we are on theprecipice of a new era of spiritual experience and expression."

Barna expects the percentage of adults who are unchurched to grow duringthe coming decade. "However, the emergence of a national body of spiritualleaders who are assisting unchurched people in their quest for spiritualdepth through means and relationships that are outside the usualinstitutional vehicles is significant. We anticipate substantial growth inthe number of people who are not connected to a congregational church but but who are committed to God and to their faith."

LINK: http://www.barna.org--

2 Comments:

At 4/11/2005 09:03:00 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Jaeson,

I heard about your blog from my friends on campus, but I just had the chance to check it just now. I just want to tell you that I am soooooo blessed by your blog.. It stirs my heart, and it really makes me excited to know what God is doing all around the world.. CRAZY!!! hehehe..

I go to the same school as Jonathan Hui.. that guy from UT who sent you that e-mail.. ahhaha. We actually serve together and stuff.. But seriously, I really feel that God is going to do something REALLY REALLY BIG here in TORONTO.. I don't know when and how.. but I just know and believe that He's going to do it.. we're all expecting and waiting!!...
If you can pray for us that would be great!!

Anyways, thank you so much for sharing your life as well as your ministry with all of us..it's a blessing and a great joy to read.. Hopefully you'll get a chance to visit us here sometime..

take care and God bless..

in Christ,
-gRaCe-

 
At 4/17/2005 08:29:00 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey jaeson! i'm wonderin if you know about the Global Day of Prayer? they've got a huge globalwide thing going on on may 15,05.. well, i wouldn't be surprised if you knew bout it, but i was wonderin more on what you'll be doin and where you're headin or even if you're participating in this at all? aites. God bless bro. hope to see you in the summer.

love in Christ,
Samuel Truong
forsamo@gmail.com

 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home