This week I was asked by one of our UMW circles to teach a lesson based on an cover article in the April Newsweek magazine, entitled "The End of Christian America."
This author used new data from a study of American public and faith. Things like an increase of people who claim no religious affiliation has almost doubled since 1990 from 8% to 15% of the public. Even more concerning was a shift from the latest numbers of person who have no religious affiliation from the Northeaster US to the Northwest part of the US. As one theologian put it, "the historic foundation of American's religious culture has cracked." In fact in the state of Vermont 34% of the states residents claim to have not religious ties.
In addition this study notes a rise since 1990 of atheists and agnostics from 1 million to 3.6 million in the US. That is double the number of Episcopalians in the United States. The study also pointed out that 68% of Americans believe Christianity is losing influence in our culture. Also the poll shows us that 48% think religion can answer all or most of today's problems.
Along with this information I also shared with them the current Christian demographics that tell us clearly that we are now the minority in the world wide church and that Christians in places like Africa and Asia are the growing majority.
All this brought about a lot of discussion from the group. We all came to realize that we are living in a new day. We are not a part of our grandparent's church or culture. We all decided that we must reach outside our walls to reach the Unreached for Jesus.
It is time for us to pray and seek God's direction for ministry in a new world.
What will that look like at FUMC Del Rio?
How is God calling us to step out in new ways to be the Body of Christ?
Peace,
Richard
