Book #5 - Unchristian

Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why it Matters, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons (Baker Books, 2007).

This is an interesting study done by a couple of the younger members of the Barna Research Group. The study was done on 16 to 29 year old Americans and I think it is a study that the church needs to pay close attention to. Only 3% of those surveyed have a good impression of evangelical Christians while 49% have a negative impression. The book centers around six negative images that young people have of evangelical Christianity and then gives suggestions for moving beyond or transforming those images. Here are the six negative images:

1. 85% of young people see the church as hypocritical. The perception is that Christians say one thing but live something entirely different. The new perception the church needs to work toward is that Christians are transparent  about their flaws and act first, talk second.

2. A number of categories combine to form the perception that Christians are too concerned with getting people "saved." The dominant perception is that Christians are insincere and concerned only with converting others. The new perception the church needs to embrace is that Christians cultivate relationships and environments where others can be deeply transformed by God.

3. The young (91%) have the perception that the church is antihomosexual and that it shows contempt for gays and lesbians. Without compromising the church's position, the new perception the authors argue the church needs to foster is that Christians show compassion and love to all people, regadless of their lifestyle.

4. 72% believe the church is boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned, and out of touch with reality. The new and necessary perception is that the church is engaged, informed, and offers sophisticated responses to the issues people face.

5. Three out of four (75%) beleive that Christians are primarily motivated by a political agenda and promote right-wing politics. The authors argues that Christians need to instead be characterized by respecting people, thinking biblically, and finding soutions to complex issues.

6. 87% believe that Christians are prideful, judgmental and quick to find faults in others. Again the book argues that Christians should change the perception by showing grace to others by finding the good in them and seeing their potential as Christ followers.

Perhaps unfortunately, I did not find the Barna Group's results surprising. I was part of a panel speaking to a class of senior ministry majors at APU on Monday and almost to a person these 21-22 year old ministry majors were saying things like, "I really love Jesus, and I want to go into ministry, but I really don't care for the church." When young people studying for the ministry are highly suspicious of the institutional church, it is not surprising to find such a high percentage of outsiders who may find interest in Jesus, but little or no interest (in fact negative interest) in the church.

As I read this book I found that my emotions were very similar to how I felt when I used to read student evaluations of my classes. When I got a negative evaluation from time to time about a class I had taught it was my tendency to dismiss the remarks as from a student who got bad grades, didn't known anything, and probably just resented me for some reason. It wasn't until I started really listening to my (occasional) negative evaluations that I became a better teacher. I'm sure many in the church will want to say, "Oh, those young people don't really know anything, we aren't all of those negative things that they think we are." But I'm afraid we ignore these kinds of studies at our own peril and more importantly at the peril of the Kingdom. Where these perceptions are rooted in reality we have to find ways to create a new way of being (and being perceived) in the world.

I heard a lecture today on former Fuller president Edward J. Carnell. In a day when there were many battles going on among Evangelicals, Carnell used to say to his classes at Fuller, "We must stand for the truth of Christ, but with the Spirit of Christ."

Somehow with this current generation we as the church have got to do a better job of putting the Spirit of Christ forward. I would love to hear some of your thoughts... Blessings.

Comments

[Mermade]

I completely relate to the findings contained within this book. Thank you for paying attention to the views of my generation (I'm 21, and a member of Generation Y, as many call it). I grew up in a very conservative Christian home. I never understood why my parents had such contempt for gays and lesbians. I understand the theological arguments against homosexuality, but it always seemed like my parents judged the PEOPLE who were gay, and not the lifestyle. My family also gets Focus on the Family's political action committee newsletter in the mail. I always read it, and now wonder why Dobson and Co. think that conservative Republicans have a monopoly on morality in this country. As I get older, I wonder what purpose Christianity serves in my life at all. Some of the most loving, accepting, and tolerant people in my life are agnostics, whereas some of the most angry and judgemental people in my family use the Bible to support hating certain groups of people (gays, liberals, feminists, etc.) It will certainly be interesting to see how the church changes within my lifetime. As I question my faith, I long for a church that truly understands the issues my generation faces, especially when it comes to matters of faith and politics.

Thank you, Pastor Scott, for addressing this topic. I enjoy your messages on Sundays because they always speak to me.

[Richard Sears]

One one hand, the more the church is concerned about being favorably perceived by the society, the more we will stray from the Truth. We must seek to please God rather than man.

But on the other hand, it is prideful to think that people's opinions about us are invalid. There is some truth in all these criticisms. And the proposed responses are reasonable.

"We must stand for the truth of Christ, but with the Spirit of Christ," is a good way to put it.

God is not always subtle in his criticism, as Christ and the prophets show. However, as Christ also shows us, sometimes criticism is inappropriate. (Let the one without sin cast the first stone.)

Ultimately (as usual) it comes down to Love. Genuine love of God and people will show grace; and when there is disagreement, criticism will be given from the perspective of inner humility. Genuine love also listens to criticism.

However, it is easy to say stuff like this and it is a different matter to actually live it.

I have written earlier regarding wanting a holy Christian response to homosexuality. I still have not answered my own questions. The Church is "antihomosexual." If we say we are not, we deceive ourselves. When the Church tries to love people who practice homosexuality by affirming their homosexuality in my mind it strays from God's word and Spirit. Every exposition I have heard of Scripture that tries to justify homosexuality ignores the obvious meaning of the text.

As I asked before, how do I show love to someone who finds their identity in their desire to have sex with someone of their own gender without always hiding my opinions that homosexuality is sinful? I do not want to be insincere from the perspective of my own beliefs.

I do not think I am judgmental toward gays (any more than with anyone else, I certainly have not overcome all prejudice in me). I have genuine inner respect for some homosexuals I know. I don't agree with their opinions about their sexual expression, but on other aspects of their lives I respect them and I have a genuine fondness for them. But I do not feel I can openly share my opinion on homosexuality. Maybe I could if they were closer friends. I don't know. Maybe it doesn't matter, hopefully this is one of the times for me when showing criticism is inappropriate.

I really don't want to focus on this one issue over the others mentioned. It is not more important. It is probably less important. In some ways I think of homosexual expression as misguided love, which is better than a lot of other sin. (I also don't want to write a book here. It is Pastor Scott's blog not mine.)

[Laura Rector]

I'm on the cusp of Gen Y/ Gen X (I once wrote a paper for Stassen on how Gen Y ethicists might perceive one of his books but that's a random story for another day). I agree with this book as well.

Church hurts and it's only a miracle of God that I'm still part of one at moments. Most of my non-Christian or Christian, dechurched friends would agree particularly with the "hypocritical" statement and seem to want to hear a new message, whether it's that we're really taking care of the poor like our Bible says we should or whether it's working for equality of women (when we say Jesus gave them equal status), or whether it's because they see so many Christian leaders give into sexual temptations (whether in liberal, conservative, or fundamentalist circles, too) or make raucaus jokes just like the rest of the world, when they know we claim to be different. They don't see anything different that's worth choosing the Christian life. We get divorced just as often, stand by why children get hurt b/c they don't have healthcare and working families don't have affordable housing, and often our "help" consists of throwing money at problems (probably not even a full tithe) or going on short trips that educate us, but which fail to help us get fully involved in a committed, regular way in people's lives. We don't even really do a great job taking care of our brothers and sisters sometimes, let alone those outside the church:(

At the moment, the main barrier with one of my nonChristian friends from another country, who has visited PazNaz, is that the church still discriminates against women. She thought America was different and it's hard for her--especially since the church is behind America on a lot of women's issues (We don't take seriously sexual harrassment or teach women their bodies are beautiful and to have healthy images, but we place the sole burden on women for men's lust. We fail to ordain women as pastors in a lot of churches, etc. Almost every experience I've had with sexual harrassment from married guys hitting on me to a man grabbing me in a private area was at a Christian institution and THAT hurts). PazNaz does ordain women, but I challenge you, when you're away, how often does a woman preach from your pulpit? When was the last time you addressed specific concerns of women from the pulpit? It's not as if anyone at PazNaz bashes women or intentionally hurts us, it's just that we're not always spoken about or noticed or men don't realize that the things that they do hurt women (which is one reason that they need to hear women speak publicly). Other female clergy were frankly afraid for me to attend PazNaz, b/c they said the church supports women in word, but not so much in action. I tend to agree, but I also love PazNaz and would rather encourage you guys to put women more on the radar screen than just walk away. You preach the best sermons I've heard in any church. Jabez loves me in a way that I really appreciate. The staff is open and friendly. We have some good things going on, but we also need to not get complacent and keep asking God new areas to work on. It all goes back to what you wrote about "violence" and our need for continual repentance. I think this is one of them. ;)

[Scott]

Thanks for your comments.

Richard, I still don't really know how to answer your sexual identity question. I want "Stand for the truth of Christ with the Spirit of Christ" to be more than a cliche, but I don't know how we overcome that particular perception - especially given the culture war that exacerbates the issue.

Laura - I really hear your critique and want to be sensitive to it. I don't want to necessarily be defensive, but I do want to work at having a staff that reflects not only gender equity but also cultural diversity - but that is a challenge. And the answer to your pulpit question is: about a year ago. Robin Smith preached for me when I was gone not too long ago. Blessings - Scott

[Laura Rector]

Thanks for being sensitive and non-defensive (Is that a word? I'm too tired to know at the moment), because it wasn't meant to be a personal attack, merely a challenge to enter into women's sufferings (as you have) in an even deeper way (b/c there's always more to do and I think you have that heart). I know it's a challenge. I'm a white girl from the South. I served as youth pastor of a Korean-American congregation in a military community for three years. (The term "American" in this conveys a variety of cultures, including Japanese, Middle Eastern, and African-American and white caucasians from various parts of the States at this church). Often with my youth I learned how white I am and how much diversity needed to be put on my radar screen, since my life experiences were very different (which meant that I wouldn't normally think about a lot of things that deeply affected them). Often it was hard and painful and sometimes personal. Interestingly enough, most of my close female friends were Korean, African-American, or Taiwanese pastors when I lived in Louisville. I was often racistly told by white folks that I needed "more white friends," which just shows their own need for repentance. However, just because I was "doing better" than some that doesn't mean that I didn't have a long way to go (and still do).

My experiences as a white person from the South meant that sometimes I missed things until they were called to my attention, but I'm thankful for the friends who did call them to my attention and teach me kindly and patiently and love me despite those sins.

Incidentally, I can't remember bringing any white folks with me to PazNaz and I often bring friends. That's not intentional. It also doesn't mean that there aren't still a lot of things I need to work on when it comes to diversity. Another non-Christian, international friend was very, very blessed and very encouraged by your sermon that we should be "12-inch" Christians, not putting our "Americanism" first. You are making a difference!!

As a whole, ALL men, no matter how great they are, have gaps in experience when it comes to gender justice, just as I as a white woman will never know what it's like to be an African-American woman or a Hispanic woman. I can learn and listen and dialogue, but it'd be racist to think I understood their experiences. That's why it's important for women to speak up even to great guys and guys to actively seek to participate in their sufferings.

It's hard to do the things I'm asking you and difficult to do the many wonderful things that you yourself envision. It'd be easy to throw our hands in the air and give up, but that's where the perseverance that builds character comes in (Romans 5:1-5) and that's the only hope we have to free both brothers and sisters from bondage (and systemic sin imposed on both genders from the day they're born in my opinion. Most of the men I know don't wake up in the morning and say, "I want to hurt women." It's bondage for men, too).

I'd also like to add that my goal in reconciliation isn't to push men out, but to bring women in. It's not to make men weak. Women need strong men to stand up for them. It means a lot to me that Jesus came as a man--b/c it means there is finally one man who looks at me with love and equality. Sometimes men's affirmation means a lot more to me than my fellow women, simply because it's been rare in my life. It's like God uses those men to bring healing to some of the bad experiences imposed on me by men. I sat through every single NT class period as the only woman in the room when I did my M.Div. (not at Fuller), and a classmate daily raised the question of what women should be allowed to do in the church (which never included teaching) and I was never allowed to join the discussion. That hurt. On the other hand, God doesn't want those men raising the questions excommunicated or marginalized. He wants them redeemed and for there to be room for both genders in his community. All belong--regardless of where they are on these issues... (and I love and have prayed with that same professor who led the class and had other deep spiritual questions answered by him, even if he failed me on this issue).

You, Scott, happen to care a lot more for justice and be better on these issues than most of the men in my experience. I have to keep pushing for more though b/c for me it's the only way to redeem such hurtful experiences. It's not personal. If anything, it's because I respect and care for men like you in my life, that I push hard sometimes. SO, please don't take it personally and remember that you are much loved even as I push buttons sometimes.

My pastor in Louisville (Dr. Leslie Hollen of St. Matthews Baptist Church, which is aligned with the CBF, SBC, and National Baptists) once told me that Proverbs 21:9 reflects on men as well as women. The picture is that of a woman nagging her husband and him leaving to go to the roof of the house to get away from her. He said, "Wherever there are nagging women, there are men who haven't fulfilled their responsibilities. They'd rather raise their hands in the air and go on the roof and sit and stew and pout than do whatever it is that they were supposed to do in the first place or listen to their wife's needs." The truth is that sometimes on this subject I'm a nag, and maybe that's obnoxious, but the truth is the nagging comes from pain and from being hurt over and over again when men didn't live up to their part of the responsibility.

I think you aren't one of those guys though, that you genuining care for the women in your live, and will keep dialoguing and so I want to say thank you for that. If I nag, it's because of the many others and b/c these is deeply personal to me, and b/c I want to help women, not hurt you personally. It's not as if you don't care about the questions I'm asking or I seek to make you feel overwhelmed. It's just part of who I am and my experience to keep challenging for more.

[Elizabeth Reuss]

This discussion is becoming shrill. Remember, it's not about "me", it's about Christ. As you said, Pastor, we don't know what we are doing. Just keep looking at the Cross, dear sister (Laura).

[Ryan Gage]

so i was really struggling if i should enter a comment to this book...at the risk of sounding dumb. but i was moved by the comments that scott wrote..especially being a young music minister in a predominantly older church. when you are in a church where the average age is 60+, you really can the heartbeat of this study. there are several young families in our congregation that feel as if the church is missing out on something amazing because they are holding on to the "sacred cows"of yesterday. so my question is this...when you are truly the minority, how do begin to break through these walls that are enriched with tradition or "that's just the way it is" mindsets?

[Scott]

Ryan,
It's great to hear from you. In answer to your question, I have no idea, other than to keep calling everyone to look a Jesus and call all generations to become their best selves. The Jewish people seemed to believe that their highest responsibility was to pass faith on to the next generation. Unfortunately, at times it would seem that either folk end up not caring about that or they don't know how to do it effectively. But until passing a living faith on to the next generation becomes a higher priority than our own satisfaction we probably won't move forward very far.
There is a great quote from Jarslav Pelikan where he says, "Tradition is the living faith of dead people, traditionalism is the dead faith of living people." There is nothing wrong with finding ways to pass on the tradition, but we will not get anywhere with traditionalism.
Blessings. Hug Ashley for me. SD