Christianity has an image problem! Check this out…..
· Although their book focuses on older “Mosaics” (Mosaics are those born between 1984 and 2002), Kinnaman/Lyon’s analytical tool is simply to help us understand a generation of people, outsiders of the church, whom we, the church and its leaders, need to recognize. There are trends (based on the authors’ extensive research). First, the outsiders make up a large percentage of people who are outside of Christianity. There are 34 million people in the US (37% of the age group 18-41) who can be influenced for Christ! And I think these findings will obviously trickle down to the younger youth!
· Some of the conclusions drawn from their research and personal experiences include:
“They favor a unique and personal journey.” (22)
Relationships are a driving force for these young people, along with loyalty.
“Finding ways to express themselves and their rage is an endless pursuit.” (22)
“They do not trust things that seem too perfect, accepting that life comes with its share of messiness and off-the-wall experiences and people.” (23)
They consume media. “Technologies connect young people to information and each other-and power their self-expression and creativity-in ways older adults do not fully appreciate.” (23)
“Young people engage in a nearly constant search for fresh experiences and new sources of motivation.” (23)
“Spirituality is important to young adults, but many consider it just one element of a successful, eclectic life.” (23)
There is a growing resentment toward Christianity.
“We learned that outsiders are more familiar with the phrase “born-again Christians” than they are with the term “evangelicals.” (25)
“….less than a half million young outsiders-out of the twenty-four million-who see evangelicals in a positive light.” (25)
“The primary reason outsiders feel hostile toward Christians, and especially conservative Christians, is not because of any specific theological perspective. What they react negatively to is our “swagger,” how we go about things and the sense of self-importance we project.” (26)
“One outsider put it this way: “Most people I meet assume that Christian means very conservative, entrenched in their thinking, antigay, antichoice, angry, violent, illogical, empire builders; they want to convert everyone, and they generally cannot live peacefully with anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe.” (26) (I completely agree with this statement. Although I am a late Boomer I have found this prevailing attitude offensive and continue to.)
“In studying thousands of outsiders’ impressions, it is clear that Christians are primarily perceived for what they stand against. We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for.” (26) Amen!
“The most common “favorable” impression is that Christianity teaches the same basic idea as other religions….good values and principles….” (27)
To download the research summary of the perceptions of Christianity presented go to:
http://www.unchristian.com/fermi
· Although their book focuses on older “Mosaics” (Mosaics are those born between 1984 and 2002), Kinnaman/Lyon’s analytical tool is simply to help us understand a generation of people, outsiders of the church, whom we, the church and its leaders, need to recognize. There are trends (based on the authors’ extensive research). First, the outsiders make up a large percentage of people who are outside of Christianity. There are 34 million people in the US (37% of the age group 18-41) who can be influenced for Christ! And I think these findings will obviously trickle down to the younger youth!
· Some of the conclusions drawn from their research and personal experiences include:
“They favor a unique and personal journey.” (22)
Relationships are a driving force for these young people, along with loyalty.
“Finding ways to express themselves and their rage is an endless pursuit.” (22)
“They do not trust things that seem too perfect, accepting that life comes with its share of messiness and off-the-wall experiences and people.” (23)
They consume media. “Technologies connect young people to information and each other-and power their self-expression and creativity-in ways older adults do not fully appreciate.” (23)
“Young people engage in a nearly constant search for fresh experiences and new sources of motivation.” (23)
“Spirituality is important to young adults, but many consider it just one element of a successful, eclectic life.” (23)
There is a growing resentment toward Christianity.
“We learned that outsiders are more familiar with the phrase “born-again Christians” than they are with the term “evangelicals.” (25)
“….less than a half million young outsiders-out of the twenty-four million-who see evangelicals in a positive light.” (25)
“The primary reason outsiders feel hostile toward Christians, and especially conservative Christians, is not because of any specific theological perspective. What they react negatively to is our “swagger,” how we go about things and the sense of self-importance we project.” (26)
“One outsider put it this way: “Most people I meet assume that Christian means very conservative, entrenched in their thinking, antigay, antichoice, angry, violent, illogical, empire builders; they want to convert everyone, and they generally cannot live peacefully with anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe.” (26) (I completely agree with this statement. Although I am a late Boomer I have found this prevailing attitude offensive and continue to.)
“In studying thousands of outsiders’ impressions, it is clear that Christians are primarily perceived for what they stand against. We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for.” (26) Amen!
“The most common “favorable” impression is that Christianity teaches the same basic idea as other religions….good values and principles….” (27)
To download the research summary of the perceptions of Christianity presented go to:
http://www.unchristian.com/fermi
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