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Friday February 5, 2010 ~ 2 Comments
I'm continuing the 2009 blog in review with some highlights from March. Below we've got some good research and a lot of Andy Stanley. MARCH 2009 Preaching to the Younger Unchurched Let us begin by saying that not only is it possible to preach to the unchurched, it's quite probable you're already doing so, perhaps weekly. Just because someone has awareness of your church or has attended a service at your church does not make them churched. Consider those that show up for their annual visits on Easter and Christmas. They may have sat through the last 20 years of your holiday cantata, but that doesn't make them churched. Entertained, sure. Inspired maybe. But certainly not churched...
This interview with Andy Stanley is helpful and provocative. It generated a lot of conversation on and off the blog. I actually had to interrupt the interview in between parts 2 and 3 to address some of the responses. If you missed it, it's definitely worth checking out. Andy Stanley on Communcation Pt 1
Barna Research has published the results of a survey that "explored how many [adults] have what might be considered a 'biblical worldview.'" This is a helpful study that will confirm the conclusions many have already drawn - and may surprise some of us as well. What does Barna mean by a "biblical worldview?"
...the American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) has caught everyone's attention today as it points out the decline of religion and the rise in secularism in America
Yesterday I talked with Cathy Lynn Grossman for USA Today about Americans' receptivity to evangelistic contacts and outreach from a church. I pointed to some recent research done by Lifeway Research and the North American Mission Board where we surveyed over 15,000 people (read more on this report via Lifeway Research). It turns out most people said they would be willing to receive information about church in a personal conversation with a family member, friend or neighbor. Posted on February 5, 2010 at 8:01 AM ~ 2 Comments 2 CommentsLeave a comment |
  
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"It turns out most people said they would be willing to receive information about church in a personal conversation with a family member, friend or neighbor"
I have heard a hundred times, "it's hard to reach people here". The guy in Kalamazoo is telling his pastor the same thing and the guy in Berkley is telling his pastor the same thing.... Jesus never said it would be easy or that people would fall all over you in love and appreciation, they didn't do that with Him. We too easily excuse ourselves from talking to people about Jesus because we assume rejection before we begin. It takes no faith to assume failure.
Finally, I finished reading "Lost and Found". It is impressive! I am hoping and praying that I will be able to use what I have learned as a pastor and leader in my church. I am anxious to start reading another of your books!