The Ken Johnson Group / July 18, 2005 Featured Article

What an opportune time for Christians to be alive!!

Here are headlines I’ve noticed lately: “California diocese settles 87 clergy abuse cases; figure to top $85 million dollars,” “Methodist jury defrocks lesbian minister,” “Cops find arsenal, gun range at ‘gang house,’” “Spokane Diocese files for bankruptcy,” “Hymn singing Christians fight back,” and “Diocese of Phoenix Priest faces investigation by local authorities.”

Reading the daily headlines may arouse the feeling that maybe the world is, as the saying goes, going to hell in a hand basket. George Barna (www.Barna.org) the premier church researcher says, “Widespread interaction regarding moral issues and viewpoints reflects the significant concern over the perceived moral decay of the nation. With surveys finding three out of four adults troubled by the moral condition of the country, the frequency of related conversations is consistent with people’s anxiety over the growing disrespect, rejection of authority, rudeness and independence in America.” He goes on to say that we need to “recognize that Asians and Hispanics in America are much less likely to discuss moral and faith issues than are whites and blacks—but it is the Asians and Hispanics who are responsible for most of the population growth in the country.”

What an opportunity we as Christians have to minister to this new and growing population source. In reality, research shows that the church is not doing a very good job. Dr. Thom Rainer of Church Central (www.churchcentral.com) reported that “…we only reach one person for Christ for every 85 members in churches across America.”

If we brought that number down to one person for every 40 members we would quickly double our results. What an exciting opportunity! Another startling point Rainer made was that“…only 6 percent of the churches (in America) are growing…” which means that “94 percent of our churches are losing ground in the communities they serve.” When you think about how our instantaneous communication is failing to reach more people for Christ, this statistic stands out.

It’s interesting to hear people, especially Christians, cry and whine about the “time in which we live,” and “how awful the world is,” when I don’t hear them say anything positive like, “What an opportunity God has given us to live right here, right now when we have literally millions of people that we can minister to.”

Look at the opportunities we have to spread the “good news” of Jesus Christ, turn people’s lives around, and make a better world for them and for the people around them. Take time to tell your friends, co-workers, and even the people you have a difficult time with about Jesus’ saving grace and what He can mean in their lives.

I think we live in a time that allows us more opportunities and ways to minister to people than any other time in history. So let’s begin today to take advantage of those opportunities. 2005! What an exciting time to be alive and to be a Christian!