FAITH STOPS

In his book Social Holiness: The Company We Keep, author Jonathan Raymond cites a study conducted by the Barna Group a few years ago. 

"Over a six-year period, fifteen thousand people were surveyed in search of their pitfalls and challenges in faith development. All of those surveyed were American citizens, a random sample not limited to Christians. The focus of the study was how Americans assessed their own faith development and progress." (Raymond, page 29)

"Barna calls these 'stops' because it is at these ten points that various groups appear to stop in their faith development and transformation." (30)

Here's what Barna found for Ten Transformational Stops:

1. Unaware of Sin     1%
2. Indifferent to Sin      16%
3. Worried about Sin      39%
4. Forgiven for Sin      9%
5. Busy in Church Activities       24%
6. Holy Discontent      6%
7. Broken by God      3%
8. Surrender & Submission      1%
9. Profound Love of God      0.5%
10. Profound Love of People      0.5%

Some observations:

• It is reassuring that 99% of the public at least knows what sin is.
• More than 8 out of every 10 people recognize that sin is a problem (Stops 3 to 10). 
• Over half the population gets no further than believing their sins are forgiven (1 to 4).
• Another quarter get to that point and then add church activities on top (stop 5). 
• Only about 1 in 10 progress beyond church activities (stops 6 to 10).

Most importantly, how sad are the percentages for #9 and #10? 

Do we not all acknowledge that Jesus taught the greatest commandment was to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and the second greatest commandment was to love our neighbors as we love ourselves? 

Isn't obedience to these commands the goal of Christian faith? Then how do we have only 1% feeling like they have arrived?

Which "stop" would you have chosen for yourself if the Barna Group had questioned you?