Ingrown Christians

Today I address the Barna Research Megatrend of 2010 number 2 (please read the article).

2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.

I agree. What I do find is that people find it easier to talk with someone they do not know about Christ and Christianity than the people they know. I do agree that the Christian community is “becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented”. It is easier to just hang out with my Christian friends, for they are cleaner. Here is what I mean. What if I go out to dinner with one of my unchurched friends (if I even have one) and they order a beer? Or a glass of wine? I have heard people say they would never let that happen. So, here is the conclusion of most Christians. If unchurched people are going to act unchurched then we just choose to skip it – it’s just too messy. I hate this about us. What are we scared of?

Here is a short story of Jesus. Read it.

Mark 2:15–17 (ESV)

¹⁵ And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” ¹⁷ And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

THEOLOGICALLY WEAK?

I am writing in regard to the research from www.barna.org entitled Six Megathemes Emerge from Barna Research in 2010. Please take time to read the article so you know my base. I will write concerning each Megatrend and my observations from my vantage point.

Megatrend #1

1.     The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.

My Vantage Point

                  I believe the points Barna Research list could easily be said of the population as a whole without a doubt but the extremes would be hard to say about the Christian Church. From my vantage point everyone in our area associate Easter with the resurrection of Christ; however, not all people in the Christian church see faith as the focal point of their life. Furthermore, there is great uncertainty concerning the Holy Spirit in the Christian Church. The last statement of Barna Research reads, “The theological free-for-all that is encroaching in Protestant churches nationwide suggests the coming decade will be a time of unparalleled theological diversity and inconsistency.” I must agree with this. I seems we are moving more toward a belief that there are many interpretations of scripture as well as applications. Which lead to many interpretations of God. This is dangerous. There is but one interpretation and many applications. In conclusion, I do feel that most people are theologically (the study and knowledge of God) weak. This is dangerous because our actions will reflect our belief. Weak belief leads to weak action.