George Gallop: We can “Transform the World” within a Decade… if…
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Tue, September 15, 2009
- Viewed 712
- (4) comments so far
It's pretty simple: Believers could transform the world in a decade by remaining faithful to the church, by caring for others and, by their example, making it easier for people to believe in God. That's according to George Gallop, one of the nation's leading pollsters.
Gallup made his remarks during Sunday's service and dedication of the $4 million expansion of Woodside Presbyterian Church in Lower Makefield.
The theme of Gallup's sermon was "Let the Revival Begin," which urged the congregation to start step-by-step to become leaders in a world beset with roadblocks to spiritual depth.
Gallup said that recent decades have seen a retreat from God because many are uncertain about religion, a lack of civility in society, and the neglect of "outcasts" such as the homeless, AIDS victims and drug addicts.
He also said that the lack of cohesiveness among various churches leaves a spiritual vacuum that church leaders could fill if they banded together to speak for those who are marginalized by society.
The good news, Gallup said, is that the United States has seen an increase the numbers of "saints among us" _ the quiet leaders who motivate others toward a full, genuinely spiritual life.
"These saints among us are fully open and loving toward people of different backgrounds while remaining fully committed to their own beliefs," said Gallup, who has spent much of his career conducting polls on religion and spirituality.
"Americans have lost a sense of the nearness of God," he said.
He urged the congregation to counter "lukewarm" attitudes by "living spontaneously and with abandon, making it easier for others to believe in God," he said.
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Peter Hamm on Tue, September 15, 2009
Amen…
but…
He loses me here [He urged the congregation to counter “lukewarm” attitudes by “living spontaneously and with abandon, making it easier for others to believe in God,” he said.] NO, you can’t just spontaneously love people, you have to do it on purpose. Living with abandon has its downside. But… probably not what he meant.
Love somebody on purpose. Somebody who is in your way, on your way AND go out of your way!
David Buckham on Tue, September 15, 2009
We need to love on purpose like Peter Hamm said above. But I would go one step further and say we need to love regardless. If they want nothing to do with Christ, love them anyway, because that is what we are called to do.
all about Christ,
David
CS on Tue, September 15, 2009
Here’s the thing that gets me: “making it easier for people to believe in God.” What changes would he exactly propose to facilitate this? What does he see as the stumblingblock that is currently preventing this easy-believe-ism?
I look to the Bible that says that it is a tough, narrow road, which few find, and try to wrap my head around this statement. Something just doesn’t jive here.
—
CS
Leonard on Wed, September 16, 2009
If people were faithful to the church -
Cared for others -
Lived as an example -
Seems to me that whether we change the world or not, we should do this. These are the character traits of someone who loves the Lord with all their HSMS and their neighbor as them-self.
This could also be described as authentic Christianity. Someone once said… they will know you belong to me by the way you love others” Sort of a crazy notion isn’t it, I wonder if HE meant it.
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