Church Seen As Losing Influence

(Ventura, CA) -      In a nationwide survey of adults conducted in February, the Barna Research Group discovered that two out of every three Americans (66%) believe that religion is losing influence in our society.  However, the researcher who conducted the survey says that although that attitude has been in place for nearly a decade, with the exception of a few months directly following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the trend is reversible.

Drawing on a wealth of research conducted during the past two years in preparation for a seminar on church health and development, George Barna noted that if churches and Christians become more serious about and committed to directed spiritual growth, people¹s doubts about the value and influence of faith will diminish.  Specifically, Barna indicated that both churches and the Christian faith are perceived to have little influence in America because there is limited evidence that people¹s lives are any different as a result of their faith.  Altering that perception, he argues, will take more than simply increasing attendance at church services or programs.  His recommendation for churches revolves around a three-part strategy: facilitating the development of a worldview that reflects biblical principles, reshaping the nature of ministry to children, and following capable, vision-driven leaders who are sensitive to the surrounding culture and respond to cultural opportunities without panderingto people's desires for simple solutions and quick spiritual fixes. The new day-long seminar presented by best-selling author and respected researcher George Barna is entitled Leading Your Church Forward.  The event features Barna in four, 75-minute sessions describing the research regarding current conditions, strategies for remedying the conditions, and insights drawn from churches that are effectively addressing these areas of ministry.  The seminar is being offered in 24 markets across the country through November 2003.

According to the statistics from Barna¹s research, more than nine out of ten born again Christians do not have a worldview that is based on biblical principles and truths.  Interviews among several thousand adults and nearly one thousand teenagers revealed that most people base their moral choices and behavior on feelings, experiences and assumptions that are not associated with biblical teaching.  During the seminar, Barna describes the various non-Christian worldviews that are common - even among born again Christians - and how those affect day-to-day life.

     Gleaning insights from churches and discipleship experts, Barna also outlines what a church may do to help people develop a worldview that is based upon and driven by scriptural truths.  He indicates that while the practice he describes is not easy - "it takes a serious commitment of time and mental energy" - the long-term benefits are substantial and undeniable.

In fact, during the seminar he lists a series of belief and behavioral distinctions between those who do and those who do not possess a Bible-based worldview.     From the standpoint of cultural impact, Barna believes that this process is crucial.  "There is a lot of talk in churches these days about worldview development, but we found surprisingly little evidence that churches have a well-conceived and carefully executed and evaluated strategy for helping people grasp God's view of reality.  This is so critical because what you think determines what you do.  Christianity is not having anywhere near the impact in our society that it could if those who are its adherents were to practice the fundamental principles of the faith on a 24-7 basis.  We found examples of churches that foster this kind of lifestyle and then found what a difference this approach to life makes.  It's huge!  But it takes more than just preaching biblically-solid sermons and offering a bunch of Bible-based Sunday school classes or small groups."

One of the most intriguing sessions of the seminar concerns what Barna calls "transforming children into spiritual champions."   Using survey data among children, parents and pastors, he describes the state of ministry to children, noting the gap between what we often think exposure to church programs is facilitating and the evidence regarding the attitudes, behavior and beliefs of children.  Relying upon studies of churches that facilitate unusually strong spiritual and lifestyle transformation in the lives of children, the California-based researcher outlines five areas of activity in which those churches are keenly different from the typical church surveyed.     Effective ministry to children is an undervalued aspect of ministry.  "Not only do the children exposed to a healthy developmental process eventually become church and societal leaders, but they carry with them the foundational perspectives that they glean in their earliest years," said Barna.  Among the most riveting bits of evidence provided by Barna during this session of his seminar relates to the similarity of beliefs between youngsters and adults - indicating that once a child embraces a spiritual perspective, it is not likely to change over the years.

"We discovered that a majority of church-going parents want more resources devoted to the children¹s ministry," he reported.  "However, it¹s important for churches not to facilitate a dysfunctional family by accepting full responsibility for the spiritual development of children.  Biblically, that is the job of the family, with the church serving in a supportive capacity. A church cannot have a wall of separation between its children's ministry and what it does to help families achieve spiritual health; these dimensions of ministry are inextricably linked and require a good plan of action in order to enable parents to be the real ministers in the lives of their children."  Barna's session on ministry to children addresses such matters based on his research data.

Drawing on two decades of research among leaders, Barna's seminar also helps church leaders understand the common challenges they must anticipate and overcome, as well as the context within which they must lead.  One seminar session, for instance, describes several challenges that his studies discovered every leader faces at one time or another.  The inability to successfully overcome those barriers can halt a church¹s progress or even disqualify the individual from further leadership opportunities.  Having studied successful leaders, Barna helps those attending the seminar to know not just what obstacles may be coming their way but also how to handle those challenges efficiently, professionally and with integrity.

Well-known for his work in tracking cultural trends, the seminar includes a session that explores current trends related to faith and spirituality, morality and family health.  Among the two dozen trends discussed by Barna are those that relate to the faith and lifestyles of the two youngest generations (Mosaics and Busters); how Hispanics are redefining their faith practices; prevailing moral views in America, especially among Christians; and how divorce and passive parenting are affecting the Church and the nation.

Barna commented that this decade is an important one for the Christian Church in America.  "Life has never been faster-paced or filled with more alternatives for people to consider.  The choices we make are based on a more diverse menu of options than ever.  Having some stability and continuity to guide us in our decision-making is critical.  The Christian faith is meant to help people make appropriate choices, but some of the connections between options, decisions, truth and implications have notbeen adequately made for people to understand.  The purpose of the seminar is to help church leaders get a view from 30,000 feet and then to bring the discussion down to ground zero and provide direction on how to help people be more Christ-like in their thinking and behavior."

In comparison to the five previous national seminar tours Barna has done, the current tour is abbreviated. "Four years ago we brought that year¹s seminar to 74 markets.  Two years ago we traveled to 54 markets with that seminar.  With the new seminar this year we are only doing 24 markets, but we¹re hoping that people throughout the nation will be able to get to one of those venues to get the information, inspiration and ideas I¹ll be presenting."  The early feedback, from the church leaders who attended the seminar in the first few markets, has been very positive and affirming. They are particularly excited about the practical strategies offered that can be adapted to their ministry setting for immediate implementation.²

The all-day seminar is open to all individuals interested in discovering how to be more effective in ministry.  The cost ranges from $60 to $105 per person, depending on how far in advance an individual registers and whether they qualify for a group rate.  All those who attend will receive a workbook with detailed outlines for each session. More information? Barna Research Group website (www.barna.org) or call 1-800-55-BARNA.