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Ed Stetzer on CNN: The Unchurched Would Enjoy Conversations About Spiritual Matters
Despite their negative opinions about the institutional church, most unchurched people are open to discussing spiritual matters with a friend. The research showed that 78 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to listen to someone who wanted to talk about their Christian beliefs. The number rose to 89 percent among adults 18-29 years of age. Ed Stetzer, who headed the LifeWay Research Project had a chance to tell the world some of the results on CNN recently. Ed said, "Even though the unchurched have a confused view of God and a negative view of the church, they are overwhelmingly open to someone sharing about their Christian faith...We think religion is a topic that is off-limits in polite conversation, but unchurched people say they would enjoy conversations about spiritual matters."
Here’s the link to more on the research...
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This post has been viewed 709 times and was added on January 28, 2008 by Todd Rhoades. Filed under: Engaging Culture Trends in Today's Church Share this post with a friend right now! View reactions to this post at other blogs... You can really help us out by subscribing to our free RSS feed with your favorite feed reader, or here at Bloglines. Also, you can add us to your favorites at Technorati.
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I'm Todd Rhoades... the MMI guy. I'm also on the team at Leadership Network (although that doesn't mean that they endorse everything I write here). In my past life, I was the founder and developer of a website named ChurchStaffing.com.
MondayMorningInsight.com | PO Box 446 | Bryan, OH 43506 |
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Posted by Camey
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 9:09 AM
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Posted by
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 12:58 PM
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Posted by
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 2:08 PM
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Posted by Peter Hamm
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 4:28 PM
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Posted by Camey
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 4:56 PM
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Posted by
Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Post Your Comments:This reminds me of a conversation myself and Doug (who I am on staff with) had last week with an unchurched person who came in for assistance.
The unchurched man said he wanted to come but had too many struggles to think he could come to church. That he needed to get his struggles out of the way first.
One of the really cool things about working with Doug… he has a way of really talking with men. I shared with the man that Doug and I both have struggles and that is part of why we are in the church. That there is no perfect person any church. Only Jesus was perfect. Doug then told the man his testimony. The man had tears in his eyes. You could tell his heart was being softened about the church. For the record… Doug is on staff at our church but is a member and Bible study teacher at another church in town. That’s part of why I so enjoy working with Doug. It’s not just about one church… it is about Him.
amen camey, it,s about him
I totally agree and find this be very true, particularly if done in a non-confrontational way. I think people are very receptive to spiritual conversations if done in a way that they does not make them feel like they’re being proselytized or judged. People respond better if they feel they and their opinions are respected. Remember, to respect someone does not mean that there will be total agreement. But at least we can value each person we come in contact with for the worth that they possess as part of God’s creation.
I think they do enjoy spiritual conversations, but not sermonizing… Let’s be careful out there!
I have Spiritual conversations with unchurched individuals almost daily. Interestingly enough? At times it is the unchurched who really seem to want to have the Spiritual conversations as opposed to those who are churched.
Sermonizing? Now that sounds like some thing I hear more from the churched Peter.. Not the unchurched.. Just my experiences perhaps.
I would heartily agree UNLESS you are the pastor or his wife, and then that title really scares them.
It has been fun to be totally what wasn’t expected and then they start the conversation.
I was in a show this last Christmas and every one of the cast members approached me (after I didn’t them) and told me their personal religous beliefs. It was very interesting.
We live in a small community so the “pw” label is on whether I want it or not.
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