Friday, August 10, 2007
Driving Down Easy Street in America
George Barna continues to find a rapidly declining spiritual condition in the United States. His company's latest national survey discovered that four out of 10 Christian parents with children under the age of 18 admit to not having any spiritual development struggles. That may sound good, but when it comes to spiritual growth, experiencing the occasional conflict is a must.
"Many of the same people who claim that their faith is very important to them and that they are absolutely committed to Christianity also say that they face no spiritual challenges in life,” Barna says. "Americans focus on what they consider to be the most important matters; faith maturity is not one of them.”
Of the Christian parents who reported facing challenges in their spiritual development, the majority said their two major struggles were developing their children spiritually and personally investing more time in praying and reading their Bible. Other spiritual struggles included the need for more church involvement, exhibiting faith-driven behaviors, coping with sickness, having a deeper faith and dealing with the decline of moral values in media content.
So how do we avoid fostering a faith that only knows how to drive one way down Easy Street? It's beginning to sound like a broken record (check out our previous blog), but it's as simple as relationship. Person-to-person ministry that challenges an individual and, at times, even gets in his or her face with biblical truth. "Ministry is most effective when it addresses the specific needs of each person on a one-to-one or few-to-one basis," Barna says, echoing the point. "The data underscore the importance of people knowing and ministering to each other in a very direct and personal way, recognizing the uniqueness of every person and their journey."
As you face another weekend of ministry, keep this in mind. Once again, you have an opportunity to challenge people along their spiritual journey. And that, when combined with real relationship, can bring nothing but growth.
YOUR TURN: What are some of the most effective ways you challenge those you minister to? Do you believe it's a pastor's role to present healthy conflicts regarding faith? If not, who should be challenging individuals?
"Many of the same people who claim that their faith is very important to them and that they are absolutely committed to Christianity also say that they face no spiritual challenges in life,” Barna says. "Americans focus on what they consider to be the most important matters; faith maturity is not one of them.”
Of the Christian parents who reported facing challenges in their spiritual development, the majority said their two major struggles were developing their children spiritually and personally investing more time in praying and reading their Bible. Other spiritual struggles included the need for more church involvement, exhibiting faith-driven behaviors, coping with sickness, having a deeper faith and dealing with the decline of moral values in media content.
So how do we avoid fostering a faith that only knows how to drive one way down Easy Street? It's beginning to sound like a broken record (check out our previous blog), but it's as simple as relationship. Person-to-person ministry that challenges an individual and, at times, even gets in his or her face with biblical truth. "Ministry is most effective when it addresses the specific needs of each person on a one-to-one or few-to-one basis," Barna says, echoing the point. "The data underscore the importance of people knowing and ministering to each other in a very direct and personal way, recognizing the uniqueness of every person and their journey."
As you face another weekend of ministry, keep this in mind. Once again, you have an opportunity to challenge people along their spiritual journey. And that, when combined with real relationship, can bring nothing but growth.
YOUR TURN: What are some of the most effective ways you challenge those you minister to? Do you believe it's a pastor's role to present healthy conflicts regarding faith? If not, who should be challenging individuals?
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While we appreciate Barna's opinion based on observation, it must be understood that Barna is not a 5 Fold minister. Not implying that he cannot hear from God or receive revelation from the Bible. But when a editorial media writer steps into the arena of laying doctrine or interpretation of scripture it can be less accurate when in comes from the wrong vision\foundation. Each of us in our Life Destiny will recieve revelation in accordance with what we are called to do. Whether ministry or layity we must not overstep our call or we will operate out of our soul and not out of our spirit.
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