The results of the latest Barna study are stunning to me. I realize that fewer people go to church these days but I hadn't considered what that would mean until I saw these numbers. Let me share just a couple of them with you.
Of those who don't go to church, what percentage of people identify Easter as a religious holiday? Seems pretty obvious doesn't it? Should be a big number shouldn't it? The answer? Only 46% of non-church goers attach any religious meaning to Easter. Ask what that religious meaning is and the number drops even further - only 25% can tell you Easter is about Jesus' resurrection.
Certainly the numbers are much better for church goers right? Ummmm, not really, I mean not anywhere near where I think they should be. For Protestants, 78% said Easter is a religious holiday but only 51% could identify Jesus' resurrection as the meaning. Eeeesch! Catholics scored even worse at 65% and 37% respectively. There is no pride to be taken in any of these numbers.
There are plenty more breakouts of percentages, liberals versus conservatives, young verses old, gender, marital status, region and more. The news isn't very good in any category though. You can see all the results for yourself at: http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/13-culture/356-most-americans-consider-easter-a-religious-holiday-but-fewer-correctly-identify-its-meaning
What the numbers tell me is that there is a consequence to not sharing the Gospel message. Keeping your faith to yourself has a result. Not following the Great Commission to make disciples encourages people to be disciples of an MTV world- where faith is mocked and truth is scorned.
I think it is becoming clearer every day that we are no longer a Christian nation- we may claim to be, but we don't even know what Easter is, what it means- how God's greatest gifts of atonement, redemption, forgiveness, grace and eternal life came flowing out of this day. How can Christians not know that? How can Christians not share that? How can we not live differently because of that?
Let me encourage you this week to live so that others ask about the hope that is in you. Let me encourage you to share, even in the smallest of ways the Gospel message. Visit the sick, help the widows and orphans, love your neighbor - be a doer of the Word that encourages others. These are the things that we do in joyful response to Easter- and they raise the spirits of others (hopefully to an eternal destination) and maybe even survey numbers as well!
Blest Regards,
kp
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