Over the past couple decades the polling industry has faced one primary challenge: keeping up with the George's. George Gallop and George Barna have earned the trust of secular and Christian clients respectively. One of the George's seems to have had an epiphany as of late. Barna's latest book, Revolution, heralds an impromptu departure from a hugely successful career informing clergy with current statistics and trends within America. In fact, he's downsized the once mighty Barna Research Group (100 employees) and renamed it simply The Barna Group (8 employees). "Barna Light" will undoubtedly focus it's attention on what he calls a spiritual "revolution" occuring OUTSIDE of the four walls of traditional, organized religion. This book is all I wanted for Christmas. Well...that and world peace. David Yeubanks, a friend from the Tri-cities, wrote this great review on Amazon. A podcast blog entitled The God Journey recently dedicated a show to Revolution. And on November 17th Barna made a guest appearance on TBN.
UPDATE (12-28-05) Kevin Cawley just posted some reviews here and here.
I'm a 'church' junkie. There. I also feel a bit like Josh (SCP), in that I would like to use his favorite colloquial for Mr. Barna. To be honest, I think I'm just scared of becoming a hermit without a network.
Posted by: Deea | December 27, 2005 at 06:20 PM
Yeah...I think most of us(Christians)feel threatened by the idea that maybe there is a very real potential for healthy discipleship outside of the "church." We haven't witnessed enough successful examples to concur with Barna's findings. He's really hanging himself out there, using his credibility to validate what he perceives to be the future of the church.
Posted by: James | December 27, 2005 at 07:30 PM
Honestly, I haven't read the book, the reviews, or anything else you've provided. I haven't had a chance, so I'm hesitant to even comment. Still, I send this link (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/001/13.69.html) for your perusal because, if the information about the book is accurate (as you'd know better than I after reading it), then I would tend to agree with the reviewer. Therefore, I think Jim owes me a peppermint mocha at Noon Moon on a non-concert night in order to discuss this. If we can bring our wives, so much the better. :)
Posted by: Paul Loeffler | January 03, 2006 at 07:38 PM
You got it. Wednesday? Thursday?
I read some of that article. (One of the above links) I'm on chapter 4 in Revolution. It's definitely worth reading regardless of one's "local church" convictions. You know my history at Grace. I'm just very interested in what God seems to be doing outside of the four walls.
Also...welcome to the "blogdom of God", Pastor Paul! Click on your name below your comment. I linked to your new site!
Posted by: James | January 04, 2006 at 12:34 AM
Barna's "Revolution" will be discussed this Friday night (2-3-06) on the nationwide Moody Broadcasting Network. "Open Line" is a call-in show which is aired at 8-8:55 pm CT. The phone number is 312-329-4460.
For station and time of broadcast information see http://openlineradio.org.
The programs are archived for download/podcast if you're unable to tune in.
Posted by: zane anderson | February 02, 2006 at 09:15 AM