People in the U.S. are increasing in their quest for spirituality and their propensity to determine personally held religious beliefs. Studies from the Barna Group show that more than 70% of Americans indicate that “their faith is becoming more important in their life” and that “they will develop their own slate of religious beliefs rather than accept a package of beliefs promoted by a church or denomination.”
In a postmodern, post-Christian context, individuals look for a narrator(s) or sage(s) that explains their life, experiences, relationships, hopes for the future, politics, social views, religion, etc. The embraced paradigm simply needs to make the most sense of reality for the individual. Based largely on a shared narrator(s), small collections of friends or tribes form and maintain community.
While few churches are measuring spirituality of parishioners, the Barna Group reports that “pastors who made any attempt to measure maturity were more likely to gauge depth on the basis of participation in programs than to evaluate people’s spiritual understanding or any type of transformational fruit in their lives.” Meanwhile, the majority of respondents desire to do church or express their faith in new ways. This is highly incongruent.
People are looking for a new expression of spirituality with a narrator to give meaning to their life while churches are measuring spirituality of members by participation in programs. For churches to see disciples be made in this postmodern, post-Christian world, change is in order. It is essential for churches to think and act like a missionary. Also, it is imperative that missionaries think and act like Christ.
The challenge before us is immense. David Kinnaman writes, “It is relatively rare to find someone who is an exemplar of the Christian faith.” But this is the very thing that people are seeking. Once again, Barna’s research indicates a disconnect: “barely one-third of self-identified Christians (36%) strongly agree that it is important for followers of Christ to maintain positive relationships with people who are not Christians.”
It is time for each church to think and act like a missionary or to recognize its role in the annals of history.
Written by almost an M. Almost is networking and consulting in the U.S. after having lived 10 of the past 15 years in Eastern Europe. He seeks to learn, grow, and influence others while seeking to personally play a part individually and with his family in obeying the Great Commission. Whenever possible, he enjoys partnering with The Upstream Collective.
Well said! Someone told me a couple years ago that “narrative has become the new sermon.” It’s time we find our place in the story.
I agree Tim. It is time for every person to be at the task instead of having a few “superstars” doing the work. The stories we tell will be the stories that we live. These stories will be lived in front of, toward, and with those that have yet to embrace the Savior.
I find great tension exists within preachers who believe we have moved into a “story” based culture but were trained to preach expositional sermons that are verse by verse and chapter by chapter. It seems like a never-ending struggle. The pressure comes from the pews as well. (if you still have pews)
Hey Spooneyman – great to see you here! First I understand and agree with your comment. I grew up learning that the 3 points were what mattered and of course the stories were just tossed in to give me time to digest the profundity of these three points. As I think about it, it seems strange that we encouraged note-taking so much on those three important points, but never on what was relayed through song, or the obedience of giving or the time with children. Maybe these would have been good places for people to be taking notes and placing emphasis.
To a larger point, it is not about just telling stories, but about living a better story. I encounter people often that ask what I do. When we finish with that conversation they are usually asking me about the gospel though I have not given them any expositional outline. Why does that happen? Because they are moved by a story that is being lived that is outside of any story they have done more than dream about long ago before focusing on the affairs of this world. For the record, my story is not magical, but it is different. And I tell the story of gatherings I work with that are living something so beautiful together.
So to try to wrap up this too long comment, telling stories communicates much better to today’s audience. But stories of what some great saint did are not going to allow a people to identify. They are likely to be inspired, but the narrated story from another time and place may seem too far off for them. Our best stories are likely to be those that we are living together. They are stories that we celebrate and those in our community begin to wonder if there is a way they might be able to participate.
May be helpful to ask if the fairy-tale that people would naturally long for, can that be lived out. People naturally long for true peace, justice, compassion, mercy, etc. Do our lives represent tangible stories where the church is bringing this to the world?
For sure, the story is both lived out and spoken (hmmm, seems like we have had this discussion). I had an interesting thought today. What is the worst thing that could ever be said about a professing Christ follower?
“Wow, I had no idea you were a christian.”
I think I would rather die than hear those words.
For other future readers’ reference, here’s the audio file you are referring to where we “had that discussion”: http://www.churchplanters.com/index.php/download_file/250/
And yes, I agree. That would be awful to hear, “I had no idea you were a Christian.”
I really look forward to our time during the upcoming JetSet. Glad you are joining us! Will be good to spend time with and learn with and from others.