Facts

Sometimes hearing facts and figures that reflect reality can be such a weight.  In fact, they can be down right depressing.  So, for those of you who are just simply satisfied by not wanting to fix on the real, this is a good time to stop reading.  I intend to state some amazing and shocking statistics about church life in North America.  Over the airwaves I keep hearing of the great revival that is taking place and how everything is looking better.  But, when I align those rosy statements with what is going on, they just don't jive.

In his book, Loving God, Chuck Colson said, "The church has been brought into the same value system (as the world); fame, success, materialism and celebrity.  We watch the leading churches and the leading Christians for our cues.  We want to emulate the best-known preachers with the biggest sanctuaries and the grandest edifices.  Preoccupation with these values has perverted the church's message."

His is a list of facts:

• Though 95% of Americans believe in God, a Gallup poll also found that only 12%  "could be considered deeply and highly spiritually committed."  Only 7% are engaged in evangelism.

• William Hendricks, Exit Interviews, estimates that 53,000 people in Europe and North America leave the church every week and never come back.

• Another Gallup poll discovered that religious interest is growing at an unprecedented rate, but so is immoral behavior.  There is, "little difference between those who go to church and those who don't."

• 32% of the population claimed to be born-again in 1995, down from 35%in 1982.

• A Woodward study shows that only 20% of Protestants and 28% of Catholics actually show up.

• Research by Gene Edwards shows, "This era-the one I live in-has proven to be unquestionably the most Bible-centered age since the days of the Pharisees; it also rivals their age for being the least Christ-centered.

That is enough of the stats stuff for now.  All this to say, the formal church has been ineffective in touching the hungry hearts of individuals who are desperate for the Lord.  It is the reason that so many are gathering in ever increasing numbers in home churches to meet their need for unfeigned fellowship, worship and prayer.  A genuine move of God may be appearing.

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