Five Kinds of Christians

Leadership Journal has published the results of a survey commissioned by Christianity Today and Zondervan Publishing, titled Five Kinds of Christians. The study was intended to analyze the 70-80% of Americans viewed as mainstream Christians. Leadership Journal reports three critical issues that have emerged in the study.

1. The local church is no longer considered the only outlet for spiritual growth.
2. Churches must develop relational- and community-oriented outreach.
3. Lay people have to be better equipped to be God's ambassadors.

No kidding.

How much did Zondervan and Christianity Today pay for this survey? Whatever it was they paid way too much. At any point in the last three or four decades they could have drawn the same three conclusions. It has been a long time since the local church has been the only outlet for spiritual growth for 70-80% of Americans who believe in God. Does the calendar at Christianity Today still read 1957?

We have known that 80% of Americans believe in God for a long time. Studies for decades have shown this to be a stable number. We have also known for quite some time that about half that number are actually regular church attenders. There is nothing new here.

We need better leadership in the church. Yep.
We need intentional, relationship building outreach in the community. Yep.
People bring people into the church. Yep.

Could have said all this in 1980. Christianity Today and Zondervan continue to think behind the curve.