Revitalize Your Church

On Sunday morning, the preacher stands behind the pulpit and looks out upon a group of people who think they are Methodists.  In reality, a lot of them are Shintos, who are worshipping their dead ancestors buried in the adjacent cemetery. Some are radical Muslims, who believe every interpretation of their favorite preacher is dictated by God Almighty. Others are Buddhist who have to come to church to escape reality. Then, there are those who are just plain pagans that believe the purpose of religion is to get the gods to do something nice for them. (Paraphrasing from Will Willimon;s sermon, "Resident Aliens", in A Peculiar Prophet ) . Photo credit: Juicy Ecumenism,  https://juicyecumenism.com/2014/09/24/another-year-of-decline-for-u-s-united-methodists/ .

Take the 10 question quiz on-line Religious IQ Test at CNN. The accompanying article, "Don't Know Much About Religion?  You're Not Alone." is based on a 32 question poll from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.   The results are striking: "It's not the evangelicals or Catholics who did best -- it's atheists and agnostics.  It's not Bible belt southerners who score highest -- they came at the bottom.  Those who believe the Bible is literally the Word of God did slightly worse than average. . ."

Pew Research Center recently released the results of a poll which reveals the importance of religion to U. S. citizens by state. Methinks this provides an excellent guide for church planting strategy!

Yikes!! This chart says we have some very significant challenges before us. See also Newsweek's Article recent article: The End of Christian America This is certainly a matter of concern, but I am reminded of the old phrase from Mark Twain: "Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!"

According to a Newsweek poll of 1,003 adults, released April 7, less than half (48 percent) believe religion can answer all or most of today's problems. The percentage is the lowest number Newsweek has recorded since it began polling Americans on that issue in 1957 (when 82 percent believed religion could answer the problems of that time). Also, 68 percent of Americans think religion is losing influence on American life, up from 62 percent in 2007 and 46 percent in 2005. And 81 percent say that's a "bad thing." from The Christian Post

Hmmmmmm

The Christian Post recently reported on the Top Ten Religious States in America .

A Gannett report came out this week that said that Wisconsin is the #1 Alcohol State in the Nation -- a dubious honor, indeed. (It made the front page of Monday's paper.) Another article on the same data. Research results can be found here. Interestingly, if you click on the "Interactive US Map", you will easily see the states MOST impacted by alcohol problems-- a northern band across the upper midwest. Likewise, you will note the states LEAST impacted by alcohol problems -- another band, across the south. Why are the northern states more prone to alcohol abuse than the south? I'm certain the difference has something to do with THIS map.