News from Barna Surveys

Christianity Today reports on Barna surveys regularly. While I have respect for the Barna polling organization, surveys are not the best way to discern where God is working. Still, there is much to learn.

Two facts caught my attention in this latest survey report:

1. The number of American churches offering Sunday School classes continues to decline.
Children under 5 -- down to 88%
Adolescents -- down to 80%
Adults -- down to 91%

While those are still "high" percentages, the data shows that there are about 20,000 fewer churches offering Sunday School classes now than in 1997.

I'm sure there are many reasons behind these declines, but I continue to believe that well-organized, well-taught Sunday School classes can be a fabulous tool to build up the believers and equip them for ministry. For many, many people, that is the only systematic training opportunity they have!

So my passion to be used by God to help build up this and the next generation of Great Bible Teachers is stoked, ladies and gentlemen!


2. The "what are pastors reading?" lists are focused on Rick Warren books and contemporary church dynamics. These aren't bad in themselves. But I'd like to see a book about building up praying churches be on the list!