“Among young outsiders, 84 percent say they personally know at least one committed Christian. Yet just 15 percent thought the lifestyles of those Christ followers were significantly different from the norm.” (Page 48, unChristian, Baker Bookhouse, Grand Rapids, MI)
The first time I read that statistic it hit me hard. It’s really something to think about. According to Barna Research, approximately 120 million Americans are true born-again Christians. Think about that fifteen percent. That means that out of the 120 million Christians in America, just 18 million of those live like a Christian.
Let’s visualize that number. Say that everyone living east of the Mississippi River was Christian. Based on 2005 population estimates, the only region within that area that would be living for Christ would be the New York City Metropolitan Area. All I have to say is wow. That’s pathetic. Puny. Miniscule in proportion.
According to Barna Research, statistically speaking, Christians live very similar lives to non-Christians. Just as many view pornography. Just as many are adulterous. Just as many get drunk. Just as many use illegal drugs. Just as many get divorced. For all intents and purposes, as far as scientists are concerned, the modern Christian lifestyle is identical to the secular one. We’ve got a problem.
We can’t just ignore this. We may not like it, but it’s simple truth. Our job: to raise a generation of Christian children who don’t have that problem. To make them part of that fifteen percent. To be in the world, not of it. To reverse the problems Christianity has. To remind the world that Christians are true, loving, real, transparent people. You, as a children’s minister, have the task of fixing it. It won’t be easy, but one child at a time, we can change that with God’s help. That’s not the way I see it. That’s the way we all need to see it.
Disturbing, shocking, and unacceptable; we must change those statistics! Just because it is the reality now; that dosen’t mean it always has to be this way. Each one of us has the responsibility and call to change the way the world views Christ and His followers. Its time we started living what we say we believe!
1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”
Lets get to it!
I agree the statistics are astounding. I disagree the burden is on me as a children’s pastor to change it. The burden has to be on the family. I only have so much influence in the week with children. Parents have daily influence. Imagine if we as children’s pastors focus on equipping and ministering to the whole family how that would help one child. We need to focus on MOm and Dad. If they are part of the 15% then the children will see that and learn from that. That should be our burden and that should be our focus. I can reach one child at a time on Sunday but imagine if I can equip and encourage their parents to do that. Now we are changing the world.
Rob, I do agree with you. While the burden is on the family, the burden is on the church to minister to the family. And in the case of visitors that come without parents, it is the work of the church to minister to that child and equip him to minister to his family.
At the same time, we have to realize that many times the family is not reinforcing what is taught at church. So while it is extremely important to get the whole family on the same track, we also have to focus on that which God has given us, which for most of us happens to be children. We need to focus on the family, but minister where we are.
Thanks Rob!
I just finished reading “unChristian” this past weekend. It is a book every believer should read. Some parts are not pleasant to read, but important non the less.