Your un-churched friends are not unreachable. How do I know? They’ve said so themselves.
We’ve all heard the statistics about the growth of the religiously unaffiliated in America—the sociologists call them the “nones”—those who don’t belong to any church or denomination. We’ve seen the effects of a secular worldview displacing America’s Judeo-Christian consensus, with the decline of religious liberty, respect for life, and marriage. On top of all this, some of the churches best known for doing evangelism are declining, with fewer and fewer of their members sharing the good news of Jesus. In our guts we can feel the cultural ground moving beneath our feet, and it’s unnerving.
It’s no wonder that evangelizing our un-churched neighbors can seem like a daunting task. More and more of them are downright hostile to the things of faith, right? Wrong!
That’s not my opinion—it’s straight from a new online survey of 2,000 un-churched Americans from LifeWay Research and the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism. The survey reports that nearly four in five of those who haven’t been to church in the last six months—except for weddings and funerals—say they don’t mind talking about faith if it’s really important to a friend. Not only that, but 47 percent say they will discuss religion freely if the subject comes up. Nearly another third say they’ll listen without responding. Remember, we’re only talking here about people who don’t go to church!
Unfortunately, even tragically, only a third say someone has actually bothered to explain why they should be a Christian. “Un-churched folks are not being overwhelmed by Christians talking about their faith,” says Scott McConnell, who’s the executive director of Lifeway Research. “If faith is important to you, then your friends will be interested in hearing about it.”
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
7 comments:
leave them alone and keep it to yourself. I don't need to be "sold" on anything, just not interested.
BTW, no one is interested in your religious posts on Facebook and you don't get extra credit for heaven.
Churches are second only to the fire dept. as a social club where like minded people can gather. In fact, they may be the number one social club in many communities. They are most important for marrying and burying. It is nice to have a group of friends who will provide snacks after your funeral if you didn't make other plans before you died.
However, only people who are unhappy with their lives and/or their afterlife plans are going to be interested in attending and perhaps joining a church. Christian salvation, however, is by having a personal belief in Christ, not church membership.
The only time I go to a church is when they are having a festival or yard sale. I don't mind supporting any of them in that endeavor. Most church people are good people no matter their church just like most of the people who don't attend are good people. They are all members of our community.
The Christian religion is not the only religion good people might be attracted to as there are many others.
ditto
11:50
It is their Facebook page and they can post what they want. If you don't like it unfriend them. Who are you to say what they can and can't post. Get used to the heat.
The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ died and rose again in order to provide everyone with everlasting life. He died that we may live. All of us.
The Christian knows this truth. The non-Christian simply doesn't know it yet.
I saw a church sign once that read, "You may be the only Gospel your neighbor reads." If they want to know, the Holy Spirit will lead them to ask, but I guarantee they won't be receptive if your actions outside of church don't line up with your professed faith.
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