"Change usually happens slowly in the Church. But a review of the past year's research conducted by the Barna Group provides a time-lapse portrayal of how the religious environment in the U.S. is morphing into something new.
Analyzing insights drawn from more than 5,000 non-proprietary interviews conducted over the past 11 months, George Barna indicated that the following patterns were evident in the survey findings."
"We argue that we believe in God, then push Him aside and assume His throne. On occasion, we’ll engage in true worship, but mostly of celebrities. We say we are Christians, but aren’t sure if Jesus is relevant for today; claim to believe what the Bible teaches, but deny the existence of Satan; and settle for going to church rather than being the church. We adopt the label “Christian” at the same time we admit that God is our safety net rather than our first love, and that our church relationships are an addendum to our real social networks. Church leaders are frustrated by the lack of transformed lives produced under their guidance, but they do little to significantly change their routines, and even seek to block new ways of doing ministry and advancing the kingdom of God."
