Latest Pew Survey: Christianity in America Is Declining, Still

The percentage of American adults who describe themselves as Christian has gone from 77% to 65%.

Churchleaders.com

DYK?: Not only has the number of those who identify as Christians decreased, the number of people who identify as either atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular” has risen from 17 % to 26 % over the past decade.

DYK?: There is a new religious group growing on the horizon. They are called the Nones. Within this religiously unaffiliated group, there are actually three groups: Atheists, agnostics, and “nothing in particular”. Atheists now account for 4% of those surveyed (up from 2 % in 2009); Agnostics have gone from 3% to 5% over the last ten years;and “Nones” have jumped from 12 % of the population to 17 % today

DYK?: Now 1 in 5 Americans (19.3%) claim no religious identity. That is up from 15%. The even scarier part is that this group is now our nation’s second-largest category behind only the Catholics and tops even the largest protestants the Southern Baptists.

DYK?: This shift is a significant cultural, religious and even political change. And even scarier than that is that 1 in 3 (32 percent) under the age of 30 are unlikely to claim a religion. That generation is more unaffiliated than any young generation ever.

PJ Pondering: Well the article also says people’s religious beliefs and their religious groups they associate with play an important role in shaping their worldviews, their outlook in life and certainly in politics and elections. And what is going to happen when there is no longer a generation that has any faith-based beliefs they use in making decisions or living?

PJ Pondering: Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said “This is a wakeup call. We have an incredible challenge ahead for committed Christians. “There is the key phrase. Did you hear it? For committed Christians. When was the last time you shared your faith with someone? Or even invited someone to church?

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:37-38

PJ Point: John Wesley talked about “almost Christians”. The almost Christian, Wesley preached in a famous sermon, will attend worship every Sunday, pray, respect common honesty; never steal a neighbor’s property,feed the hungry; refrain from cursing or gossiping; and may use time and talents to serve God.

PJ Point: Then Wesley talked about an Altogether Christian. And what makes an Altogether Christian Different from an Almost one? Wesley said an Altogether Christian has several additional characteristics.

• They have a heart filled with love of God and neighbor
• Believe the historical doctrines of the church are true
• Believe the Holy Scriptures are true
• And above all has faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ.

PJ Point: Living a Generous Life invites us to starts or deepen our commitment to Christ and our witness. Sometimes I think it is easy for us to think that evangelism is the job of the paid Christians like pastors or some very special people. But that is not true because in the bible witnessing and inviting are the job of every Christian.

PJ Point: Paul in Colossae had been spending time encouraging the Colossians to live faithfully to what they know to be true and not to compromise their values even when others around them may live in very different ways. Paul says nothing; however, about twisting people’s arms and making them adopt our worldview. Nor does he say anything about being aggressive and unrelenting in telling others that their beliefs are wrong.

5 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

Colossians 4:5, The Message

5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Colossians 4:5 NIV

PJ Point: Colossians urges us to begin with praying for God’s guidance, then living our faith… not talking about our faith. When we live exemplary lives, we earn credibility and can then speak with integrity. If people are not asking you more about your faith than it probably isn’t showing much in your daily life.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

PJ Point: We talked at our retreat about time. Its all about time was the focus. Much of what we talked about was how we use and misuse our time which is Chronos. And what do we need the most to be in generous in our witness? Time. You can’t do it without taking extra dedicated Chronos time.

DYK?: There are two words for time found in the Bible.

Chronos time speaks to time as a duration or period of time. Like setting your clocks back. When the opportunity presents itself, you have limited time to make a decision and act.

Kairos time speaks of an opportunity as “a point in time.” An opportunity is a point in time that requires action or the opportunity will be lost. A Kairos moment may be thought of as a God-moment.

PJ Point: In our text, the idea of buying up or making the most of opportunities is not about bargain hunting. It is about connecting with others in good and meaningful ways when opportunities present themselves. Waiting for the right time. When is the right time? It could be any time…

PJ Point: When we fail to act when we are presented an opportunity to connect with another person in a way that demonstrates the love of Christ… we miss our opportunity.

PJ Pondering: Colossians also says 4:6 “ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt.” Jesus said you and I are to be the salt of the earth. Think about what salt does. Salt gives flavor to food. It preserves food to keep it from decaying. We need salt in our bodies to live. But there is one thing that salt does that really got my attention when it comes to our witness. What is it?

PJ Point: And we have to ask ourselves the question have we ever made anyone thirsty for Jesus? Well, I think we say that it doesn’t matter much. Jesus doesn’t care about that. Really. Because I am pretty sure that some of the last words he gave to us say different.

14 This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all the nations. Then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14

8 Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

PJ Point: The Spirit of God gives us the power to woo people… to influence them and make a difference in their lives. The Spirit of God gives us the power to gently convince them of the life-changing difference Christ can make in a person’s life… not by threats and browbeating, but by wooing.

6 Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person.

Colossians 4:6

15 Instead, regard Christ as holy in your hearts. Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it.

1 Peter 3:15

15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the good news.

Romans 10:15

PJ Final Point: Christ is too important not to share.

The post The Generous Life : Witness appeared first on Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.