Last Friday, I started reading the book, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity. I'm only about 80 pages into it but I've already underlined lots of interesting thoughts. The book was written by David Kinnaman of the Barna Group. The Barna Group is like the Gallop Poll for the Church. George Barna and friends have done an exceptional job over the past 25 years or so keeping the pulse of the Church and the world. In this particular book, they reveal the results of a survey performed with the next generation (Mosaics - born between 1984 & 2002 and Baby Busters - born between 1965 & 1983).
Here's the most interesting thing found in the book so far: We need to lose our "swagger." Here's the quote from the book, "The primary reason outsiders feel hostile toward Christians, and especially conservative Christians, is not because of any particular theological perspective. What they react negatively to is our 'swagger,' how we go about things and the sense of self-importance we project." Those outside of the Church say that the "Church is infatuated with itself."
A couple of paragraphs later, Kinnaman writes, "We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for."
The title of the book is unChristian because outsiders think Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind. It is a stinging rebuke on the Church - and much needed.
Here's the most interesting thing found in the book so far: We need to lose our "swagger." Here's the quote from the book, "The primary reason outsiders feel hostile toward Christians, and especially conservative Christians, is not because of any particular theological perspective. What they react negatively to is our 'swagger,' how we go about things and the sense of self-importance we project." Those outside of the Church say that the "Church is infatuated with itself."
A couple of paragraphs later, Kinnaman writes, "We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for."
The title of the book is unChristian because outsiders think Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind. It is a stinging rebuke on the Church - and much needed.
1 comment:
Hey, Gene! Just discovered your blog today. I finished reading unChristian about 3 weeks ago or so, and the truths are a bit sobering. I completely agree with the "swagger." As Christians, we've got a lot of work to do...one individual...one interaction at a time.
--Heather T.
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