The State of the Gospel

Do you have 35 minutes to invest in updating your awareness of Great Commission progress?

This worth your time -- money back guaranteed. Okay, I'm not taking a risk, since the web is free. But you're not risking time either, IF you are interested in the Great Commission, missions and the spread of the gospel. This is good. Very good!

It is the report on "The State of the Gospel" that Jason Mandryk gave at the 2006 Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering in Malaysia, a gathering of over 500 younger leaders from 110 nations.

I will definite use this in my upcoming Evangelism & Mission class. It's a valuable overview! Kudos to Jason!!!

BTW - If you are not familiar with Mr Mandryk, he is notable for his part with Patrick Johnstone in providing praying world Christians, Operation World, one of the all-time most valuable mission resources. Why do I say that? Because it has stimulated and informed significant Great Commission intercession. More kudos!

Religion in America

Earlier this year, the Pew Forum on Religion & Public life in America began releasing reports from the extensive U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. This is a treasure chest of research data, from which numerous gems of insight will be drawn (I trust) in the days ahead.  For instance, about 7 in 10 religiously affiliated Americans would "agree with the statement that many religions – not just their own – can lead to eternal life." The implication: Americans, while very religious, aren't very dogmatic. 

So what are the implications of this for witness? Does it mean people are generally open to consider other ideas? Or would you find most people settled in the own view, but not wanting to express a view that implies others are wrong? Is this the flowering of our tolerance? Or the fruit of pervasive relativism?  

How do we understand and grapple with such realities. Perhaps time will permit deeper explorations into the Pew findings in the days ahead...

But then again, it is a busy summer schedule. We'll see.

The American Dream

The latest Barna report is out and interesting. It features the results of a study of what American's want most in life. It is worth the read (and a little reflection) for the implications for ministry (and outreach) in particular:

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=301

"... having good physical health (listed by 85%), living with a high degree of integrity (also 85%), having one marriage partner for life (80%), having a clear purpose for living (77%), having a close relationship with God (75%), and having close, personal friendships (74%)".