Download or read book The Great Dechurching written by Jim Davis and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2023-08-22 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in US history. It is greater than the First and Second Great Awakening and every revival in our country combined...but in the opposite direction. Yet precious little rigorous study has been done on the broad phenomenon of dechurching in America. Jim Davis and Michael Graham have commissioned the largest and most comprehensive study of dechurching in America by renowned sociologists Dr. Ryan Burge and Dr. Paul Djupe. The Great Dechurching takes the insights gleaned from this study to drill down on how exactly people are dechurching with respect to beliefs, behavior, and belonging. This book gives the church in America its first ever deep dive into the dechurched phenomenon. You'll learn about the dechurched through a detailed sketch of demographics, size, core concerns, church off-ramps, historical roots, and the gravity of what is at stake. Then you'll explore what can be done to slow the bleed, engage the pertinent issues winsomely and wisely, and hopefully re-church some of the dechurched.
Download or read book Church Refugees written by Josh Packard and published by Group Publishing, Inc. . This book was released on 2015-06-01 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: They’re called The Dones. After devoting a lifetime to their churches, they’re walking away. Why? Sociologists Josh Packard and Ashleigh Hope reveal the results of a major study about the exodus from the American church. And what they’ve discovered may surprise you... -Church refugees aren’t who you’d expect. Among those scrambling for the exits are the church’s staunchest supporters and leaders. -Leaving the church doesn’t mean abandoning the faith. Some who are done with church report they’ve never felt spiritually stronger. -The door still remains open—a crack. Those who’ve left remain hungry for community and the chance to serve—and they’re finding both. Sifting through hundreds of hours of in-depth interviews, Packard and Hope provide illuminating insights into what has become a major shift in the American landscape. If you’re in the church, discover the major reasons your church may be in danger of losing its strongest members—and what you can do to keep them. If you’re among those done with church, look for your story to be echoed here. You’re not alone—and at last you’re understood. Share your story at TheDones.com
Download or read book The Great Dechurching written by Jim Davis and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In The Great Dechurching, Jim Davis and Michael Graham along with renowned sociologist Dr. Ryan Burge examine the largest and most comprehensive study of dechurching--the largest and fastest religious shift in US history--to drill down to exactly why people are dechurching with respect to beliefs, behavior, and belonging.
Download or read book The Nones written by Ryan P. Burge and published by Fortress Press. This book was released on 2023-05-16 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going, Second Edition, Ryan P. Burge details a comprehensive picture of an increasingly significant group--Americans who say they have no religious affiliation. The growth of the nones in American society has been dramatic. In 1972, just 5 percent of Americans claimed "no religion" on the General Social Survey. In 2018, that number rose to 23.7 percent, making the nones as numerous as both evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics. Every indication is that the nones will be the largest religious group in the United States in the next decade. Burge illustrates his precise but accessible descriptions with charts and graphs drawn from more than a dozen carefully curated datasets, some tracking changes in American religion over a long period of time, others large enough to allow a statistical deep dive on subgroups such as atheists or agnostics. Burge also draws on data that tracks how individuals move in and out of religion over time, helping readers to understand what type of people become nones and what factors lead an individual to return to religion. This second edition includes substantial updates with new chapters and current statistical and demographic information. The Nones gives readers a nuanced, accurate, and meaningful picture of the growing number of Americans who say that they have no religious affiliation. Burge explains how this rise happened, who the nones are, and what they mean for the future of American religion.
Download or read book Walking Through Deconstruction written by Ian Harber and published by InterVarsity Press. This book was released on 2025-01-14 with total page 167 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: However you define it, deconstruction is impossible to deny. Ian Harber knows the fear and grief of deconstruction firsthand. Here, he tells the story of his own process of deconstruction and reconstruction over ten years and lays out a vision for a faith environment that can foster genuine reconstruction through healthy relationships.
Download or read book Evaluating the Church Growth Movement written by Zondervan, and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2010-06-01 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What exactly is the Church Growth movement? This timely volume in the Counterpoints series addresses the history of the movement that has become such an enormous shaping force on the Western church today, and it explores--in a roundtable forum of leading voices--five main perspectives on the classic Church Growth movement: Effective Evangelism View - presented by Elmer Towns Gospel in Our Culture View - presented by Craig Van Gelder Centrist View - presented by Charles Van Engen Reformist View - presented by Gailyn Van Rheenan Renewal View - presented by Howard Snyder Each view is first presented by its proponent, then critiqued by the co-contributors. The interactive and fair-minded format allows the reader to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions. Evaluating the Church Growth Movement concludes with reflections by three seasoned pastors who have grappled with the practical implications of Church Growth. The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.
Download or read book You Lost Me written by David Kinnaman and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2011-10-01 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Close to 60 percent of young people who went to church as teens drop out after high school. Now the bestselling author of unChristian trains his researcher's eye on these young believers. Where Kinnaman's first book unChristian showed the world what outsiders aged 16-29 think of Christianity, You Lost Me shows why younger Christians aged 16-29 are leaving the church and rethinking their faith. Based on new research, You Lost Me shows pastors, church leaders, and parents how we have failed to equip young people to live "in but not of" the world and how this has serious long-term consequences. More importantly, Kinnaman offers ideas on how to help young people develop and maintain a vibrant faith that they embrace over a lifetime.
Download or read book Christians in the Age of Outrage written by Ed Stetzer and published by NavPress. This book was released on 2018-10-02 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Are you tired of reading another news story about Christians supposedly acting at their worst? Today there are too many examples of those claiming to follow Christ being caustic, divisive, and irrational, contributing to dismissals of the Christian faith as hypocritical, self-interested, and politically co-opted. What has happened in our society? One short outrageous video, whether it is true or not, can trigger an avalanche of comments on social media. Welcome to the new age of outrage. In this groundbreaking book featuring new survey research of evangelicals and their relationship to the age of outrage, Ed Stetzer offers a constructive way forward. You won’t want to miss Ed’s insightful analysis of our chaotic age, his commonsensical understanding of the cultural currents, and his compelling challenge to Christians to live in a refreshingly different way.
Download or read book The State of Church Giving through 2021 written by John Ronsvalle and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2024-07-23 with total page 245 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Church people in the U.S. can make this age of affluence an age of intentional miracles. The State of Church Giving through 2021: Intentional Miracles (May 2024) is the 33rd edition in empty tomb, inc.’s The State of Church Giving series. Chapter 8 casts a vision of the potential for church members to impact, in Jesus’ name, one of the worst tragedies of our time: the number of children under the age of 5 dying from treatable causes, particularly in 40 countries. Other chapters in the new book update numbers for church member giving and membership through 2021 including: a series for 1968-2021; a larger group for 2020-2021; a group of 11 denominations for 1921-2021; projections in giving and membership based on past patterns; and the basis for the confidence that there is potential among church members in the U.S. to increase their impact on this hurting world. Another chapter looks at giving patterns among all Americans through an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey data for 2021. Chapter 8 focuses on key points: What is an intentional miracle? How does pursuing intentional miracles prepare for the future? What makes this present time so special regarding intentional miracles? What would an intentional miracle look like? Are intentional miracles even possible?
Download or read book Position Papers November 2023 written by Position Papers Team and published by Eblana Solutions. This book was released on with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Editorial Gavan Jennings In Passing: 9/10 draft of Burke article (Part One) Michael Kirke Studying irreligion in Ireland Tim O’Sullivan Religious decline in America James Bradshaw Mass Exodus revisited Margaret Hickey When a sense of mission declines: the lesson of the USA James Bradshaw Whence Secularity? Patrick Gorevan A dubious defence of the secularisation thesis Gavan Jennings
Download or read book Why Are the Young People Leaving the Church written by Ruben Joseph and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2011-08-11 with total page 101 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If you are a parent, an elder, a youth leader, a pastor, a priest, or a young person, inside or outside of the church, this book is written just for you. The youth of today are facing serious issues, causing an unprecedented apathy in their walk with God. It is said throughout the Bible that the youth will finish the battle. They shall rise and have visions; they will lead a holy revolution and finish the gospel. Therefore, the enemy is like a roaring lion seeking them especially to devour. This book offers an analytic view of what is going on in our churches and provides practical solutions. The book is not at all biased; it is well-grounded. The book merely advocates religion but greatly elevates the Bible as the one and true guide to living a godly life. Sometimes the youth are overlooked, but that does not mean they must leave. There is a raging storm on the outside, and the only safe place is in the ark of safety. As described in the chapters, there is much fun in the world, but they also come with consequences as did for Adam and Eve. Traditions and culture can sometimes wrongly influence the youth, but knowing Gods truth should serve as an anchor to keep Christians grounded. The enablers tacitly infiltrate pagan customs, which causes other religions to question Christianitys genuineness, but the truth of the matter is Christianity is not the problem. We must remain faithful, be active in sharing the gospel, and when Jesus, our redeemer, returns as the groom to take His bride, the church, hopefully we will all be part of the remnant elect.
Download or read book 20 Myths about Religion and Politics in America written by Ryan P. Burge and published by Augsburg Fortress Publishers. This book was released on 2022-03 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The way most people think about religion and politics is only loosely linked to empirical reality, argues Ryan P. Burge. In 20 Myths about Religion and Politics in America, Burge strives to be an impartial referee and to overcome these caustic misperceptions by using both rigorous data analysis and straightforward explanations.
Download or read book Forming Faith written by Matt Markins and published by Moody Publishers. This book was released on 2024-08-06 with total page 245 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Resiliently rooted in Christ—living into this formational moment. What would it look like to form kids with lasting faith in Jesus, no matter the culture or context? Does this seem possible? It’s getting harder to imagine in our highly secularized culture. Current approaches to faith formation aren’t working. Matt Markins, Sam Luce, and Mike Handler combine leadership experience from Awana—global pioneer in children’s discipleship—with pastoral wisdom, to provide a much needed, timely resource for the church and home. Forming Faith helps us understand what isn’t working, why it doesn’t work, and what we can do to build the church. Markins, Luce, and Handler—fathers and leaders—look at the blueprint often employed in children’s ministries that seems innovative but is greatly misguided. Forming Faith brings not only analysis; it provides biblically based, backed-by-research solutions to form lasting faith in our children. We have real concerns and fears for the kids we love. More than anything we want to see younger generations follow Jesus with conviction and compassion. What must we be doing at church and at home to strengthen our influence? This resource provides the focus, resiliency, and hope we all need!
Download or read book Saved by Grace Liberal in Mercy written by Mike Cowan PhD and published by WestBow Press. This book was released on 2024-05-29 with total page 210 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In proud tradition of the Southern storyteller, author Mike Cowan shares stories from his life that have molded him into the rarest of creatures, a White, evangelical Christian and a bleeding-heart, liberal Democrat. From conversion as a child through spiritual formation as an adult, Cowan recounts the struggles he has faced in a church that was founded in defense of the evil of slavery and the consequent vestiges of systemic racism, in a church that has increasingly dallied with the chauvinism of Christian nationalism, and in a church that is currently in a season of reckoning about congregant sexual abuse by clergy and the disgrace of deception by executive denominational leadership. Through it all, from the enduring influence of parents and grandparents, yellow-dog Democrats all, Cowan details his commitment of the next season of his life in support of voting rights, public education, gun control and the science of climate change. The longer we live, the more we understand life is a delicate balance of competing forces. In Saved by Grace, Liberal in Mercy, Cowan navigates one of our greatest cultural divides and lives to celebrate it.
Download or read book The After Party written by Curtis Chang and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2024-04-23 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For the exhausted, the hurting, and the faithful, The After Party helps reframe our political identity away from the "what" of political positions and toward the "how" being centered on Jesus. This paradigm-shifting book complements The After Party Project--a six-part, video-based, highly interactive curriculum that provides churches, small groups, and individuals with an on-the-ground, biblically based approach to a very complex topic. The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics helps readers who feel despair about political divisiveness: Engage with others across political differences Learn specific steps to reframe political identity outside of partisan divides Focus on how we relate to one another as Jesus teaches before moving to the what of political topics The After Party is ideal for: Republicans, Democrats, and Independents looking for renewed hope and humility for our nation Local leaders seeking to counter animosity toward political opponents, susceptibility to lies, and other practices that threaten the common good Congregations, classes, and small groups watching The After Party video series Pastors who want to encourage their congregants to trade their partisan mindsets for the mind of Christ It's not too late. In today's political environment, faithfulness to a biblical how of political engagement shines as a radical challenge to both the Right and the Left. If you worry about what politics is doing to your community, your family, and your own well-being, The After Party will transform your political imagination. It's time for us to go beyond party politics and--as Christians--believe in the true "party" yet to come.
Download or read book Better Together written by Jim Tomberlin and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2012-04-24 with total page 277 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Thousands of Protestant churches are perplexed by plateaued or declining attendance, while other congregations nearby thrive. Is there a way for them to combine forces, drawing on both their strengths, in ways that also increase their missional impact? Church merger consultant Jim Tomberlin, with co-writer Warren Bird, makes the case that mergers today work best not with two struggling churches but with a vital, momentum-filled lead church partnering with a joining church. In this new book, they provide a complete, practical, hands-on guide for church leaders of both struggling and vibrant churches so that they can understand the issues, develop strategies, and execute a variety of forms of merger for church expansion and renewal to reinvigorate declining churches and give them a "second life."
Download or read book When the Lords House Closes written by Delgado and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2025-07 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This chapter sets the stage for the book and follows a conventional path, increasing the likelihood of reader engagement and that it will influence community practice, which quite frankly, is the bottom-line. I do not subscribe to the axiom of advancing knowledge for the sake of knowledge. I am much too practical! Some readers, however, may beg to differ. Books challenge readers to entertain new ways of thinking on a subject, supplying a rationale for the subject's importance. Books need major time, financial, and intellectual commitment to a subject, bringing heightened expectations and serving as a key motivator for action. Readers have a right to have lofty expectations from a book because of the time invested, and that must be confirmed and met by an author! It is impossible for an author to suspend their experiences and worldviews from the task of writing a 300 or so page document. The more an author uplifts their values, motivations, biases, limitations, and experiences (both good and bad), it allows readers to have a better grasp of why a topic is framed in a particular manner. This stance ascends in significance in this journey and more so when it covers religion. Readers may ask about my personal stands on religion, religious beliefs, and houses of worship. More specifically, although raised Catholic up to my late teenage years, I am a member of a Church of Christ congregation because of the values that this church embraces. This church, too, is facing its challenges with dwindling congregations and closures. Suffice it to say, I respect people's religious/spiritual beliefs that are different from mine, although I am not a "very" religious person by nature, it is fair to say"--
