Ed,

Thanks for your great work. You're an asset to the Kingdom!

It seems like one dynamic at play here is what is meant by the phrase "share my faith." At our church, we emphasize story and encourage people (when sharing their faith) to tell others about 3 chapters to the story of their life: Life before Christ, what Christ has done, and their life after meeting Christ.

Guess what the shortest section in that story always is? Answer: The Middle.

We've really struggled to disciple people to communicate not just the subjective aspects about what Christ has "done for them"; but also the objective facts about what Christ has done for "all" believers - which tend to be and sound more exclusive and sharp than the aspects of our personal "experience" with Christ.

This USA Today report seems to prove that people are open to the message of Christ, but don't seem to be hearing anything about the exclusiveness of Christ. What does this say about how we communicate the gospel?

Our personal experience with Christ is integral, but only when properly coupled with the "basics" of Jesus' work on the cross.

I wonder what we can do to get a little more "balanced" at this?

I think Clayton is dead on in many respects. Telling people, "What Jesus has done for me in my life" is absolutely palatable in our pluralistic world. People will smile at you and celebrate with you. But the gospel is so much more than that isn't it? Our message is exclusive, not inclusive. Could anything be more subversive and unpopular. Yet Jesus was clear. Some travel the broad road that leads to destruction. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears to me that there is a synthesis to be found in this data, and it is this: Our nation is incredibly pluralistic, and while they don't care to chit chat about religion (even Christianity), they will care the moment the gospel is proclaimed.

So.... it seems the question before us all is this, "How can I have a missional, cross centered, gospel ministry in this pluralistic culture?" I have found Tim Keller to be profoundly helpful on this, especially to the Gospel Coalition.

I think we ought to consider how deep this really runs, and the incredible implications it has on all of our ministries. Blessings and peace.

Good comments by Clayton, very insightful. Ed and others.... I think these statistics explain more than just the religious climate of our nation and culture, but they explain alot about the post a few days ago concerning young leaders in the SBC. Could it be that young leaders grew up in this culture that is overwhelmingly pluralistic and they are trying to minister in this context while others simply deny the reality of it. Clayton is precisely right when he says our problem really lies in explaining the cross centered gospel in terms people can understand. Sharing "What Jesus has done for me" is perfectly palatable in a pluralistic context, but the gospel is exclusive. Jesus is clear that some just don't make it, but instead travel a broad road to destruction. The question is...."How do we have a missional, cross centered, gospel in a pluralistic culture?" I have found Tim Keller to be incredibly helpful on this, particularly in his address to the Gospel Coalition, as well as Mark Driscoll.

Jason,

Great comments. Ironically, I just finished reading part of Spurgeon's autobiography the other day where he talks about his conversion experience. He dedicates about 2 pages to how he heard the gospel and how he felt about it. But he spent about 10 pages talking about what the Bible said of his sin and the grace that Christ offers on the cross.

I'm not saying we all have to be able to do that - but it certaintly shows a contrast between how faith was expressed and communicated 100+ years ago as opposed to today.

By the way - Spurgeon was a freak of nature in many respects (he was certainly an original)

two quick comments.

1. Ed, sorry about the double post.

2. Clayton, isn't it funny that the gospel is the gospel, period? Spurgeon stood with the reformers by seeing the cross as the glorious center of all of human history. Today we think we are the center of all human history. I am reminded of something that my missiology prof. said in seminary: The cross + anything else is idolatry.

Good stuff. I used it as the basis of my church's leadership newsletter today, posted here.

Ed,
As a church planter in a pretty post-christendom city (Albuquerque), I was most fascinated by the comments section. I already knew the people we are trying to reach have a long list of reasons for not going to church.

Anyway, that discussion is an excellent (and troubling) microcosm of the real-life situation. It is really hard work to do "person-centered apologetics" (thanks Alister McGrath) that combine Biblical knowledge, intellectual understanding, integrity and Jesus-style love for people. It is easier to get mad because the questions are troubling, tell them they're going to hell, and go back inside the fortress. For the most part, the Christian voices in the comment thread come off pretty poorly. As I said - hard work.

I also think this research, its implications, and the discussion thread speak volumes regarding the earlier post and research about attendance at the SBC. I'm 41 and I've only attended one SBC Annual Meeting - I was doing a little foreign mission work (that's how it seemed to a New Mexico boy!) in the Nashville area and got to attend the '05 meeting. That culture seems far removed from the culture that is discussed in this research and that I am trying to reach. Further, most of what I've seen over the past 41 years is death: death of programs and promotions, decline, fighting and decreasing impact on our nation. I find listening to the right guys on my iPod exponentially more helpful than attending denominational meetings. I also believe this convention will be healed in the local churches, not at the meetings - so I focus on rebuilding the reputation of Jesus one real pagan at a time here in ABQ, and thank God for raising up guys like you to leadership in the SBC. BTW - us early 40's guys are definitely young, whether we are leaders or not!

That was a fantastic survey that has many applications for those of us who are trying to change the face of Christianity in the world today.

I wrote a few thoughts about the survey on my blog at www.bradruggles.com.

Brad Ruggles

After being closely involved in denominational work for 5+ years, I lost my desire to be involved in "organized religion". I believe many of today's older churches and denominations are filled with unforgiving, legalistic and politically motivated people. I spent 20 years in the corporate world before moving into the world of "organized religion" and I must say that the non-Christians exhibited more character and were more forgiving than the leaders in "organized religion"... its a sad commentary.
The old saying "they eat their young" certainly holds true in old traditional denominations and churches.

Enough about the past, I have regained my desire to be involved in a church body whose sole focus is to teach others to have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Church not "organized religion" is fun because the focus is on loving people (Christians and non-Christians) just like they are and just where they are in their life's journey. What a blast!!!

Keep the good research coming! You are helping to move us away from "organized religion" and back to houses of worship that only purpose is to love God and love people.

Bless you my friend!

This is fantastic info. This is something we are working on in our church. We need to look and see how to go forward from here. Not back to what used to work.

Ed,
I just watched the Headline News piece and I was blown away at how you handled yourself. I commend you for being a wonderful representative of Lifeway, SBC, but more importantly Christians. Many times I will watch an interview and just get sick at stomach at my fellow believer. I think you are a great leader of the Evangelicals. Keep up the great work.

Ed: Erie, PA continues to experience the impact of your work at Millcreek Community Church. And the memory of your insight and kindness to my wife and me still brings a smile. Enjoyed your research, article, and the discussion comments--keep up the great work!

Hey Ed,

I have sought to engage an agnostic friend of mine in an open newspaper debate in the last couple of years. We've done about 30 thus far. Do you think this is an effective way to have the conversation? I know you will be honest.

Here's the link:

http://www.gastongazette.com/sections/faith-debate/

Sty Motivated For The Master!

Ray McKay Hardee, Lead Pastor
www.forestpointe.org

Fantastic info, Ed! Thanks for resourcing us so well so often!

I was very interested in the hi-res graphics in Update 2, but the link doesn't work - http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2008/01/www.Lifeway.com/news

I would like to see the hi-res stuff very much. Its very interesting info!