Church Shopping

a Biblical thought...
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:2-5)

a Book thought...
In 2002, out of 125 Australian students 115 ‘expressed personal concern for spirituality, while only ten said that they were pleased to be designated as following one of the religions’. David Tacey concluded that ‘If our social institutions want to stay in touch with the people they are supposed to serve or govern, they ought to kick themselves out of their lethargy and pay attention’ and also that ‘While only a tiny minority of people continue to practice formal religion in the developed nations of the world, a huge number are keenly pursuing spirituality and individual pathways to sacred meaning’ (p.54).
a Dave thought...
Although these Barna stats are American it is interesting to note there is a growing lack of loyalty to a denomination or local church. I’d have to say we would be in a similar shape downunder with many Christians continuing to move from church to church just trying find an expression that helps connect them to God while still understanding Australian 21st century culture. Unfortunately after a few unsuccessful moves it normally results in removal from church life altogether.

-88% of American adults say that "my religious faith is very important in my life."

-75% say they sense that "God is motivating people to stay connected with Him, but in different ways and through different types of experiences than in the past."

-50% say "a growing number of people I know are tired of the usual type of church experience."

-64% say they are "completely open to carrying out and pursuing [their] faith in an environment or structure that differs from that of a typical church."

-45% say they are "willing to try a new church."

A staggering number of Americans - almost half of the nation's 230 million adults - are open to changing their church home, demonstrating their lack of connection with their present community of faith and their desire to have a more significant connection. It may also be a reflection of people's increasing lack of loyalty to both organizations and personal relationships, and the growing sense that there is always something better available if you can simply find it.

Just a thought.