UnChristian

I just finished an outstanding book by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. "Unchristian: What a new generation really thinks about Christianity...and why it matters." David (a researcher with Barna) was commissioned by Gabe several years ago to do research on what "Busters" and "Mosaics" really think of Christianity. Wow! Did he get an earful! (Spoiler alert) The title actually gives away the main point of the book and introduces us to the painful reality that, in summary, the new generation thinks that Christianity is "unchristian!" His conclusion is backed up by reams of careful research so he goes way beyond just telling us what David or Gabe think. He meticulously shows us the prevailing opinions of 20 and 30 somethings from across America. The most disturbing part for me was that most of those he interviewed came OUT of a churched background and had chosen to walk away from association with the church.

I hope that every person leading, participating in, planting or helping to plant a church in America will read this book and let it's research assist them in making their community of faith a place where this generation of "outsiders" (Kinnaman's label) can find fellowship.

Quick summary: Kinnaman says that the most common perceptions of Christians from the outsiders were: 1. Christians are hypocritical. 2. All Christians care about is if a person is "saved" or not. 3. Christians are anti-homosexual. 4. Christians prefer to be sheltered in their own communities and safe from "the world." 5. Christians are too politically motivated. 6. Christians are judgmental.

You might find yourself disagreeing with some of Kinnaman's conclusions, but the research provides an excellent foundation for understanding some of the challenges of reaching the younger generations.