Group Magazine printed these results from Lifeway Research in which they interviewed 1,000 Protestant pastors and another 4,000 Protestant churchgoers. Here is what they found on six different points:
1. BIBLE ENGAGEMENT
While most churchgoers like to think of themselves as biblically engaged people, most of them don't practice habits that line up with that view. Almost all (90%) say they "desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do." but many fewer (59%) say they "find myself thinking about biblical truths" through out the day, and even fewer (19%) say they read the Bible every day. The study found that the higher the engagement, the deeper the growth.
2. OBEYING GOD AND DENYING SELF
"The 'obeying God and denying self' attribute does not measure a specific list of sins to avoid," says Scott McConnell. "Rather, it gauges whether an individual has an obedient posture. When it comes to obedience, spiritually mature disciples of Christ have a loving motivation to obey God, the self-awareness to know they must be proactive to avoid bad decisions, and the humility to confess sins they commit." Two-thirds of survey respondents (64%) agree that "a Christian must learn to deny himself/herself in order to serve Christ."
3. SERVING GOD AND OTHERS
More than half (60%) of regular churchgoers say they "intentionally try to serve people outside my church who have tangible needs, but only a scant few (9%) strongly agree with this statement: "I intentionally give up certain purchases so I can use that money for others." Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, says "Service doesn't just happen in a church. It must be modeled and encouraged."
4. SHARING CHRIST
While four out of five churchgoers (80%) believe they're responsible to share their faith, more than half (61%) have not taken that risk with a non-believer in the last six months, and half (48%) have not invited an unchurched person to church.
5. EXERCISING FAITH
Faith is the most exercised "muscle" in a growing believer's spiritual fitness regimen. More than four out of five churchgoers (86%) say they "express praise and gratitude to God even in difficult circumstances."
6. SEEKING GOD
The survey found that three-quarters of churchgoers (73%) set aside time outside of church for prayer, and a little over half (54%) plan times to worship God, at least a few times a week. Four out of five (78%) say "one of the main reasons I live my life the way I do is to please and honor God."
Where do we fall?
-- Richard
1. BIBLE ENGAGEMENT
While most churchgoers like to think of themselves as biblically engaged people, most of them don't practice habits that line up with that view. Almost all (90%) say they "desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do." but many fewer (59%) say they "find myself thinking about biblical truths" through out the day, and even fewer (19%) say they read the Bible every day. The study found that the higher the engagement, the deeper the growth.
2. OBEYING GOD AND DENYING SELF
"The 'obeying God and denying self' attribute does not measure a specific list of sins to avoid," says Scott McConnell. "Rather, it gauges whether an individual has an obedient posture. When it comes to obedience, spiritually mature disciples of Christ have a loving motivation to obey God, the self-awareness to know they must be proactive to avoid bad decisions, and the humility to confess sins they commit." Two-thirds of survey respondents (64%) agree that "a Christian must learn to deny himself/herself in order to serve Christ."
3. SERVING GOD AND OTHERS
More than half (60%) of regular churchgoers say they "intentionally try to serve people outside my church who have tangible needs, but only a scant few (9%) strongly agree with this statement: "I intentionally give up certain purchases so I can use that money for others." Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, says "Service doesn't just happen in a church. It must be modeled and encouraged."
4. SHARING CHRIST
While four out of five churchgoers (80%) believe they're responsible to share their faith, more than half (61%) have not taken that risk with a non-believer in the last six months, and half (48%) have not invited an unchurched person to church.
5. EXERCISING FAITH
Faith is the most exercised "muscle" in a growing believer's spiritual fitness regimen. More than four out of five churchgoers (86%) say they "express praise and gratitude to God even in difficult circumstances."
6. SEEKING GOD
The survey found that three-quarters of churchgoers (73%) set aside time outside of church for prayer, and a little over half (54%) plan times to worship God, at least a few times a week. Four out of five (78%) say "one of the main reasons I live my life the way I do is to please and honor God."
Where do we fall?
-- Richard