Barna on the Future of the American Church
The Future of American Faith
When asked what he saw on the horizon regarding Americans’ faith, [Christian researcher George] Barna described findings from some research currently in process related to the future of faith. He listed three general patterns he expects to gain prominence in the coming years.
Diversity. There will be new forms of spiritual leadership, different expressions of faith, and greater variety in when and where people meet together to be communities of faith. Ecumenism will expand, as the emerging generations pay less attention to doctrine and more attention to relationships and experiences. Barna predicted that there will be a broader network of micro-faith communities built around lifestyle affinities, such as gay communities of faith, marketplace professionals who gather for faith experiences, and so forth.
Bifurcation. Barna expects to see a widening gap between the intensely committed and those who are casually involved in faith matters. The difference will become strikingly evident between those who make faith the core of their life and those who simply attach a religious component on to an already mature lifestyle.
Media. Spiritual content and experiences will be increasingly related to the use of media. New technologies that will gain market share over the coming decade will significantly reshape how people experience and express their faith, and the ways in which they form communities of faith.
Source: The Barna Group, 2006
posted by Steve at 12/22/2006 11:20:00 PM
2 Comments:
2 Timothy 4.1-4,22
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. (You'll need HIM!)
Amen, DAO. May we have ears to hear truth, even when it doesn't "scratch" our "itching ears."
I think Barna's predictions are already coming true, though. The Body of Christ is beginning to "leave the building" and seep into the cracks and crevices of our society, announcing Christ's kingdom and joining God's mission of justice and redemption.
Many believers have become unsettled in the pews of their youth (no offense to pews or churches that have them), and are seeking a spirituality that goes beyond empty ritual -- "religion." These people's lives are "Christian" 168 hours a week, not just 1 or 2. This is the bifurcation Barna alludes to.
And finally, the fact that I am typing this to you now, and you are reading it in this medium is case in point of his third prediction. I think this will also prove true in parable-like Christian movies (like Rob Bell's Nooma films) and even feature-length box-office hits like The Chronicles of Narnia and LOTR. "Preaching the Word," as Paul exhorts, can take any number of forms. This is where we can really hear from God through prophetic types like Barna.
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