As I have mentioned before, I regularly check the Barna Group website. I just noticed the results of a recent study. George Barna is labeling a trend he has followed as soft christianity.
Here is a piece:
“These figures emphasize how soft people’s commitment to God is,” Barna explained. “Americans are willing to expend some energy in religious activities such as attending church and reading the Bible, and they are willing to throw some money in the offering basket. Because of such activities, they convince themselves that they are people of genuine faith. But when it comes time to truly establishing their priorities and making a tangible commitment to knowing and loving God, and to allowing Him to change their character and lifestyle, most people stop short. We want to be ‘spiritual’ and we want to have God’s favor, but we’re not sure we want Him taking control of our lives and messing with the image and outcomes we’ve worked so hard to produce."
You can read the entire write-up here.
Personally I think he has hit the nail on the head. What do you think?
2 comments:
I too agree with that statement. It is something that I fight with my ownself. It is very hard for me to let go and let God have total control. I am a person who believes I can do it all by myself and at times I try. But what I am realizing more and more is that I am weak and he is strong. And things go better when I let go.
There is a song out that is called "Jesus take the wheel." I like the message in that song and wish that I could follow that motto more.
It is a lot easier (in the short term)to just be a soft Christian, but the rewards are greater in the long run if we give the full committment.
Good article!!
I hear you!
I really appreciated George Barna's thought on the need for a community of faith. The Sun. am prayer meeting has opened my eyes to the power of community. I would love to see us, as a congregation, grow in such directions.
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