Faith for the Curious provides invaluable guidance for connecting with those intrigued by faith. The book emphasizes the prevalence of spiritual curiosity and offers strategies to cultivate an open church culture, strengthen connections to faith, facilitate spiritual dialogues, and bridge the Christian-spiritual divide. Drawing from research and decades of ministry experience, Mark Matlock helps readers navigate the challenges of engaging with the spiritually curious in a respectful and authentic manner.
This book, grounded in research and decades of ministry experience, offers practical advice on creating a church culture open to spiritual exploration, fostering meaningful connections to Jesus, and breaking through common communication barriers. It helps readers understand and engage the spiritually curious generation, providing hopeful and helpful ideas for passing on faith to the next generations.
In 'unChristian,' David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons present extensive research revealing the increasingly negative reputation of Christians, especially among young Americans. The book details how Christians are often perceived as hypocritical, judgmental, anti-homosexual, and overly political. It challenges believers to reevaluate their approach to faith, emphasizing the importance of living out Jesus’ teachings of love and acceptance. The authors, along with contributions from over two dozen Christian leaders, provide insights and a call to action for the church to improve its image and foster a more inclusive environment[3][4][5].
The Midnight Library follows Nora Seed, a 35-year-old woman who feels trapped in a life filled with regret and disappointment. After a series of devastating events, she attempts to end her life but instead finds herself in the Midnight Library, a limbo between life and death. Here, guided by her childhood librarian Mrs. Elm, Nora can explore countless versions of her life by entering books that represent different paths she could have taken. As she navigates these alternate lives, Nora must confront her regrets, understand the complexities of choice, and discover what truly makes a life worth living. The novel delves into themes of regret, the meaning of life, and the importance of living in the present[2][3][5].
The book chronicles the 1971 Bangladesh genocide and the U.S. policy during that period. It reveals how Nixon and Kissinger supported Pakistan’s military dictatorship despite its brutal suppression of democracy and atrocities in East Pakistan. The narrative is based on previously unheard White House tapes, declassified documents, and extensive investigative reporting. It highlights the geopolitical and humanitarian implications of the U.S. actions during this period and their long-term consequences for Asia and global politics.
In 'You Lost Me', David Kinnaman presents research conducted by the Barna Group on why young Christians aged 18-29 are leaving the church. The book categorizes these young people into three groups: Nomads (those who leave church but not faith), Prodigals (those who turn away from faith), and Exiles (those who believe but feel disconnected from the church). Kinnaman identifies several reasons for this exodus, including the church being overprotective, shallow, anti-science, repressive, and exclusive. He also provides ideas for pastors, youth leaders, parents, and educators to help young adults maintain a vibrant and lasting faith in the face of cultural changes.
In 'Faith for Exiles', David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock present major new Barna research that identifies five practices contributing to the resilience of young adult Christians. The book helps readers make sense of chaotic cultural changes, recognize the biblical concept of exile as a framework for following Christ, and discover how to cultivate faithfulness in a world dominated by digital technologies. It aims to prepare young Christians for mission and empower Jesus followers of all ages to thrive in their current cultural context.
In 'Good Faith', David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons address the challenges Christians face in a society that increasingly views Christianity as irrelevant and extreme. The book is based on extensive research and provides practical tools for Christians to navigate contentious issues such as sexuality, marriage, death, race, and prejudice. The authors advocate for 'good faith' by focusing on how well Christians love, what they believe, and how they live, encouraging a balance between holding convictions and treating those who disagree with respect and compassion. The book aims to help Christians be agents of change and create a positive impact in the public square while remaining true to their faith[2][5][4].
Only 1% of pastors say their churches are very effective at evangelism. Yet, 72% of people say they are open spiritually.
In this episode, Barna CEO David Kinnaman and author Mark Matlock continue the 2025 Church Trends series and discuss the current divide between church and culture, the surprisingly dismal state of evangelism in the church today, and the missed opportunity of unchurched people's surprising spiritual openness.
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