Criticism from people outside of Christianity toward the Church doesn't surprise many. But when negative viewpoints are being expressed by believers, it raises a red flag for churches across the country.
In the latest research report by Sam S. Rainer III, who heads Rainer Research, only 39 percent of people who dropped out of the church perceived their church as "caring." Meanwhile, 51 percent of them called their church "judgmental."
Among other unfavorable views from those who quit their church, 41 percent of them said their church was "insincere." Only 20 percent felt their church was "inspirational;" 30 percent said their church was "authentic;" and 36 percent said their church was "welcoming."
The survey was conducted on 18- to 22-year-olds and is featured in Rainer's upcoming book, Essential Church?.
"The churches that do not demonstrate these biblical qualities and rather become insincere and judgmental lose this generation," Rainer, a young Baptist pastor, commented. "They return to the culture that claims churches are not living up to their calling.
"And, for the most part, the culture is correct."
Part of the church's calling is to reach those on the outside and live out what they preach, but these students who are dropping out are hearing one thing in church and seeing another thing in the lives of these churchgoers, Rainer pointed out.
Polls have shown increasing hostility and negativity toward Christianity, mainly from younger non-Christians – a majority of whom have a bad impression of Christianity, according to The Barna Group.
But more reports are indicating that young adults not just outside of the Christian faith, but those in the pews are turned off by believers.
"Yes, we need to be greatly concerned about outside perceptions," said Rainer. "But perhaps more frightening are what our own students are saying about our churches."
National youth leader Greg Stier of Dare 2 Share Ministries believes one of the worst enemies of Christians are Christians.
"When we are known more for what we are against than what we are for what other outcome can we expect?" he said, echoing what many church leaders have expressed.
"If we put down our picket signs and picked up a basin of water and towel to wash feet with then maybe the world would sit up and listen. Or maybe they wouldn't. But either way we would be more like Jesus," Stier noted in a recent interview with The Christian Post.
Young born-again Christians were nearly just as likely as non-Christians (22 vs. 23 percent) to say Christianity in today's society no longer looks like Jesus, according to David Kinnaman of The Barna Group who wrote his findings in unChristian.
Along with perceptions of churches being judgmental, Kinnaman has found that many, including Christians, view the church as full of hypocrites and anti-homosexual.
"If young people view Christianity negatively may it be for the exclusive claims of Christ in the Gospel not because we come off as jerks when we communicate that message," Stier commented.
Despite the bad impressions expressed by those who dropped out of their churches, Rainer found that the churches of young people who did not drop out were viewed very favorably.
A majority of the young people who did not quit described their church as "caring," "welcoming," "authentic" and "inspirational." Only 19 percent of those who stayed said their church was "insincere" and only 24 percent felt their church was "judgmental."
Rainer's Essential Church? releases in the fall.
Comments
Well, if people believe that they can fill each other’s “spiritual gas tanks” with “church,” as opposed to the overflow from their personal relationship with Mashiyach Yehoshua, then should we not expect such disappointment, disillusionment, and disunity within “church”?
"Churches' Greatest Critics May be Their Own Followers"
There is some truth to this article; namely that some of our youth are being neglected. For the youths in our churches, I would encourage them with this following admonition –
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity - 1Timothy 4:12.
It is always interesting to me how some can take a subject such as “homosexuality”, wrap it up in a Christian garb and deliver it as something positive. Why would this Christian Post Reporter describe homosexuality in a positive light, when the Lord himself has condemned it? It is unbiblical teachings such as these that are undermining the truth of the gospel in our churches. Let’s toss out this cultural gospel and get back to sharing the real gospel of Christ.
The Greatest Critic of the church is Christ himself -
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches - Revelation 3:15-22.
Full gospel said:"All it shows is that Church is exactly where we all need to be."
Only if you really are saved, which is doubtful considering most churches preach a false gospel of fullfillment (health, wealth, happiness, purpose, anything BUT the true gospel).
>But when negative viewpoints are being expressed by believers, it raises a red flag for churches across the country.
Yeah but usually they just kick them out like Rick Warren, the protestant pope, suggests and condones publically.
to lewr - the gospel is & in itself 'JUDGEMENTAL'.
what does the meaning of GOSPEL - it means GOOD NEWS, good story.
the article speaks for itself especially '...students who are dropping out are hearing one thing in church and seeing another thing in the lives of these churchgoers'.
the meaning of GOSPEL disappears bec. christians who are 'dysfunctional' -their relationship 'does not work' - give out more problems rather than solutions TO LIFE'S problems & sufferings. they add more weight on people who are already suffering. that is why the article is right when it said 'say one thing & do another'.
they think that being holy & sinless is the definition of the gospel or relationship. after a person becomes a christian, what next, due to 'conviction of sin' the gospel does become JUDGEMENTAL bec as you said it is anti-whatever you want to pick.
by the way, pro life, marriage & purity are not the only issues that face people. there are social & economic injustice, power, greed & abuse, arrogance & hypocrisy, lies & war.
"to professorx - 'many of these people may not want to hear the truth'. I wonder if you deny yourself, carry your cross & run another mile for your brethren. or maybe you leave the 'self denial' to others and do your own thing. THE ARTICLE WAS RIGHT - 'ARE YOU SAYING ONE THING IN THE CHURCH & DOING ANOTHER IN THE LIVES OF THESE CHURCHGOERS OUTSIDE THE CHURCH? '"
Not sure exactly why Xprof is wrong, but carrying your cross doesn't mean you carry a watered down Gospel. IMHO, Xprof along with many others are right. The church does have many problems, but they are ENTIRELY related to NOT preaching the true Gospel. The Gospel in and of itself is JUDGEMENTAL. It's supposed to convict us to HOLINESS as stated by Oglefam. That conviction is JUDGEMENT of our sins. None of this is possible unless churches are preaching biblical teachings.
The BIBLE is anti-homosexual.
The BIBLE is anti-abortion
The BIBLE is anti-divorce
The BIBLE is anti-fornication
The BIBLE is anti-adultery
The BIBLE is anti-whatever you want to pick.
However, the OPPOSITE of EACH of the above is that the bible is PRO
opposite sex sex
LIFE
MARRIAGE
PURITY
I do believe the articles has merit though. Some of the ones that bother me the most are the 75K watch and Armani suite wearing pastors, the fake healing services (not to say that healing doesn't occur), not helping the needy as we should. Using millions to build elaborate churches that could go along way towards helping needy within their churches, helping the pro-life center down the road, or the Salvation Army soup kitchen. Although, the bible is mostly concerned about helping the needy WITHIN the church. Again, just MO, but the American church hasn't realized persecution like others and we're caught up in the consumerism just like the fleshly world unfortunately.
The problems have always been there and always will be in some fashion. Doesn't mean we don't seek the Lord in these issues and attempt to resovle them in Christ, but it doesn't mean we water down the message to suit the 'society'.
ALL of these issues are issues of not preaching the TRUE Gospel.
' Part of the church's calling is to reach those on the outside and live out what they preach, but these students who are dropping out are hearing one thing in church and seeing another thing in the lives of these churchgoers/pastors...'
to professorx - 'many of these people may not want to hear the truth'. I wonder if you deny yourself, carry your cross & run another mile for your brethren. or maybe you leave the 'self denial' to others and do your own thing. THE ARTICLE WAS RIGHT - 'ARE YOU SAYING ONE THING IN THE CHURCH & DOING ANOTHER IN THE LIVES OF THESE CHURCHGOERS OUTSIDE THE CHURCH? '
Regardless of public opinion or surveys, the true church is still built upon the Rock that does not roll, and that Rock is Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Let all God's children stand firm upon that Rock and continue to adhere to the truth of God’s written Word. Let us seek to obey God, walking in love and truth, but let us never compromise the truth to achieve a congregational vote of popularity or worldly acceptance.
FullGospel
I respectfully disagree. In my opinion, which doesn’t count for much, is that the church as we call it is not what Yeshua had in mind. The assemblies that met during the apostle’s time were for instruction of scripture and testimony concerning the gospel of Yeshua as to his life, teachings and miracles. The assemblies were also providing help to orphans, widows and those saints who had need. The gospel of Yeshua and the calling of the Holy Spirit is what changed peoples lives, not the assemblies(church). I do not believe the structured church we tout today is Biblical. If so, what happened to holiness? I dare say many who believe they are Christian have no concept of holiness. Most churches today shy away from teaching holiness as it allows for the Holy Spirit to place conviction upon those still clinging to worldly pleasures, and seats can’t be filled or buildings built without the “sheep.” Worship is believed to be upbeat music stirring enthusiastic emotion from those attending preparing them to receive the Word. If believers need stirring to realize who God is, maybe they don’t really know him. I like the upbeat praise music, but it is not worship. True worship is when a believers hearts desire is to become transformed into the image of our Lord expressing his character through our daily life in clear view of those around us. Understanding this we live in reverence of who our Lord is. We are to strive to be holy, without spot and righteous as God commanded. We love to proclaim, “God knows I will slip and fall and lovingly grants me mercy and grace.” This is true, however do we use this as a crutch becoming lazy with this knowledge? I pray not. If we don’t go through each day longing to resist the temptation of sin, strive to become less so he can become more, I have to ask, why? God has always been real to us, it is us who need to be real to God.
Let us remember that Jesus' Church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners. The good Samaritan Jesus brought us there, wounds and all. The healing isn't complete yet and our wounds of imperfection are what's being criticized, perhaps justifiably. All it shows is that Church is exactly where we all need to be.
The LACK of preaching the Gospel has produced a spirit of antichrist in the Church. Many of these people may not want to hear the truth. They have been too use to being cuddled with humanism and "the gospel according to Oprah" than hearing the naked truth of scripture.
The Gospel of the Kingdom === >>
http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com/#the_message_that_we_were_born_to_hear
I'll tell you what...this story's not a new one. It's been around for over 25 years, if not since the beginnings of the "institutional" church. Another thing...the argument that there are too many hypocrites and anti-homosexuals in church...well, take a look around you, folks. Look at the culture. There are far more hypocrites in this United States culture, and far more anti-homosexuals out there, too. It just doesn't wash that people leave the church because there are too many hypocrites. There are hypocrites everywhere - how about where you work, do your grocery shopping, attend to your medical needs/hospitals/denitsts/doctors/etc. The list goes on. We don't stop doing business because there are hypocrites. We engage the culture with the message of Christ and Him crucified. They'll know we are Christians by our love. Remember that? Not the song sung in church, but what Christ commanded - that we love one another.
We need to step back from all the "programs," "mega-nonsense," and "culturally-correct" spirituality and focus our attention on following the Master.
REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!!!
dawz......Nothing is impossible. I find it hard to believe that today's youths are so feeble that they are unable to talk to anyone in their church about their needs. My advise is this: 1. Pray about it with other youths like you; 2. Prepare a list of suggestions on the things youths would like to be engaged in; 3. Get a group of youths together and go see your senior pastor. Call him first and ask for an appointment. I'm sure that he will listen to you. But do something, don't sit around moping. While you do that more of your peers will leave the church.
Contrary to what many youths may think, adults in the church do not look down on youths. We see you and we hear you, but we don't always understand you and know what makes you tick. Like I said before..... learn to engage, articulate, inform and change!
Stay the course!!
I agree youth should be more proactive but thats a lot harder then it may seem. We have grown up in a society where we look down on young people. Its also harder for young people to express themselves because they feel its a waste of time because no one really listens to them anyway. Its really the older generations responsibility to train the child up.
Gods timing we do not know, whether tonight or 50 years from now, no man knows. To me
2 Thessalonians 2 is where we are and knowing Gods truth, not mans version of it, is what matters.
The Great Apostasy
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.