Pine Grove United Methodist ChurchUnChristian
David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group and co-author of
Un- Christian explains that “Christianity has an image problem.” He
in- vested three years in researching Christianity from the outside. The
project investigated the perceptions of outsiders about the Christian
faith. The results of the study are none other than eye opening to
say the least. According to those on the outside, we are not known
by our love, but rather for some other things which could be
understood as UnChristian.
Gabe Lyons, co-author of UnChristian, explains: “I believe that the
image young people have of the Christian faith is in real trouble.
They hold stereotypes of Christians, and make assumptions about
them. I don’t understand what all that looks like, how that
happened, or even whether it’s something that can, or should, be fixed.
But I want to help start conversations and lead people to start
thinking about how to bridge this divide between us and them.”
What do outsiders perceive about Christianity? Well, they think
we’re hypocritical rather than transparent; we say one thing and do
another. We’ve been described as insincere and concerned only
with converting others; rather than cultivating relationships and an
environment where others can be deeply transformed by God. The
perception by outsiders is that Christians show contempt for gays
and lesbians; rather than demonstrating compassion and love for
people. They feel Christians are boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned,
and out of touch with reality, rather than engaged, informed, and
offering sophisticated responses to the issues people face. This is
not a particularly flattering image that outsiders have of Christianity.
The survey exposed that they think we are too political and are
primarily motivated by a political agenda that promotes right-wing
politics. They claimed that Christians are prideful and quick to find fault
in others, versus showing grace by finding the good in others and
seeing their potential to be Christ followers. This is a report card
we’d avoid showing to our Father.
Perhaps the first reaction is to look the other way. Why should we
care about what “they” think of us, after all it’s just perception right?
Wrong! For those on the outside, perception is reality! The truth
is ,the outsider’s view of Christianity gets in the way of them
encountering Jesus and being transformed by His love. God would definitely
have something to say about this! The purpose of this study is to
understand the image problem and to work on it, so as to grow in
our faith personally and increase in our witness.
Jesus had a different image of the Christian faith. He said, “I give you
a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have
loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will
know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” I
invite you to join me as we look carefully into what a new generation
really thinks about Christianity and work towards changing these
perceptions.
Pastor Joel Coleman
Un- Christian explains that “Christianity has an image problem.” He
in- vested three years in researching Christianity from the outside. The
project investigated the perceptions of outsiders about the Christian
faith. The results of the study are none other than eye opening to
say the least. According to those on the outside, we are not known
by our love, but rather for some other things which could be
understood as UnChristian.
Gabe Lyons, co-author of UnChristian, explains: “I believe that the
image young people have of the Christian faith is in real trouble.
They hold stereotypes of Christians, and make assumptions about
them. I don’t understand what all that looks like, how that
happened, or even whether it’s something that can, or should, be fixed.
But I want to help start conversations and lead people to start
thinking about how to bridge this divide between us and them.”
What do outsiders perceive about Christianity? Well, they think
we’re hypocritical rather than transparent; we say one thing and do
another. We’ve been described as insincere and concerned only
with converting others; rather than cultivating relationships and an
environment where others can be deeply transformed by God. The
perception by outsiders is that Christians show contempt for gays
and lesbians; rather than demonstrating compassion and love for
people. They feel Christians are boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned,
and out of touch with reality, rather than engaged, informed, and
offering sophisticated responses to the issues people face. This is
not a particularly flattering image that outsiders have of Christianity.
The survey exposed that they think we are too political and are
primarily motivated by a political agenda that promotes right-wing
politics. They claimed that Christians are prideful and quick to find fault
in others, versus showing grace by finding the good in others and
seeing their potential to be Christ followers. This is a report card
we’d avoid showing to our Father.
Perhaps the first reaction is to look the other way. Why should we
care about what “they” think of us, after all it’s just perception right?
Wrong! For those on the outside, perception is reality! The truth
is ,the outsider’s view of Christianity gets in the way of them
encountering Jesus and being transformed by His love. God would definitely
have something to say about this! The purpose of this study is to
understand the image problem and to work on it, so as to grow in
our faith personally and increase in our witness.
Jesus had a different image of the Christian faith. He said, “I give you
a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have
loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will
know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” I
invite you to join me as we look carefully into what a new generation
really thinks about Christianity and work towards changing these
perceptions.
Pastor Joel Coleman
