Posted by
peripheral on Saturday, August 02, 2008 7:56:05 AM
From My Perspective - - - -
Those who love to “crunch
numbers” can arrive at almost any conclusion based upon (a) a set sample group
that is surveyed, and (b) the data that is considered. Sound Statistical
Results can often be ignored, such as, almost 80% of the American people want
this country to begin drilling for oil in our own nation and territory.
However, the Congress of the United
States pays no attention to that statistic
and goes home for a month of vacation without taking a vote on the people’s
business. There are other times one can observe the “findings” and poll results
and muse, “where did they come up with that idea?” It appears that from now until the USA National
Election Day (approximately three more months) we’ll have to be subjected to
Opinion and Tracking Polls, and the Self-Serving Statistics and Punditry of the
Media.
There is a current set of
statistics pertaining to The Church and the variant data that are used. A partial book review in The Pastor’s Weekly
Briefing is the following: “…A book by David T. Olson entitled, The American Church in Crisis…indicates:
"The American church needs to be 'forever building.' Building is the
church's response to God's missional promptings. But the greatest need of the
church is 'being restored,' which is a spiritual and supernatural act of God…
Mr. Olson refutes the church attendance research of both Barna and Gallup. He
does not believe between 37%
and 43% of Americans go to church each week. His research of
nearly 300,000
churches gives evidence that the total attending services is closer to 52 million each week
(versus over 100 million),
and that instead of 40%
attendingeach
week, it is more like 19.5%.
With regard to the evangelical church, he reports 26.7 million attended
church on a given weekend in 2005 — 9.1%
of the American churchgoers are connected
with the evangelical church…Each year from 2000 to 2005, an estimated 4,000 new churches were
started — but
each year…3,700 churches
closed or a net gain of 300.
To keep up with the population growth, 2,900
more churches would need to be started each year, or a total of 6,900…”
If the data were analyzed more
fully, one would probably discover the aging of the church that is occurring as
well. Just randomly walk into any church when a Worship Service is in process
and see how many families are in attendance. Wander around the premises and see
how many babies are in the Nursery or children in a Junior Church
Assembly. Most of the people attending are 55 or older, and more women are
attending than men. A statement embraced in the above book based upon a study
done in Switzerland indicates:
"If a father does not go
to church, no matter how regular the mother is in her religious practices, only
one child in 50 becomes a regular church attendee." If that is true, what
does this mean for The Church in the future? Why is it that men don’t seem to
care any more? Is this the model they want to have before their family and
neighbors?
Many Biblical passages could be referenced, but Ephesians 6:1
through 4 states the case well: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this
is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a
promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers,
do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and
instruction of the Lord.” In The Message Translation, verse 4 states: “Fathers…
your children - Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.”
This requires a lifelong commitment and diligence. There is no immediate
tracking poll to measure the success-failure ratio. One only has the statement
of challenge and assurance in Proverbs 22:6 (From: The Message), “Point your
kids in the right direction - when they're old they won't be lost.” It’s not an
easy task but it is rewarding when one “hangs in there”, and with prayer,
persistence, example, and consistency implements the Biblical guideline and
instruction, the positive result will be achieved.
Think
about this with me - - - -