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The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
CNLP 704 | The Dismal State of Evangelism, the Divide Between Church and Culture, and The Missed Opportunity of Unchurched People's Surprising Spiritual Openness with David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock
Jan 21, 2025
David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, and Mark Matlock, Executive Director of Urbana, tackle the alarming decline in evangelism effectiveness within churches. They reveal that while only 1% of pastors feel effective at evangelism, an encouraging 72% of people are spiritually open. The conversation explores the growing disconnect between the church and modern culture, highlights the need for authentic relationships in ministry, and emphasizes the importance of storytelling to engage younger generations seeking understanding in their spiritual journeys.
01:15:51
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Quick takeaways
- The overwhelming majority of unchurched individuals express spiritual openness, contrary to church leaders' perceptions of hostility towards faith.
- Church leaders often perpetuate a doom narrative that obscures the genuine cultural curiosity and spiritual dialogues available in today's society.
Deep dives
Dismal State of Evangelism
The current state of evangelism in the church is facing significant challenges, with a noted divide between church communities and cultural context. Many church leaders feel overwhelmed as they perceive a culture that is increasingly hostile, despite data suggesting a surprising openness among the unchurched. Research indicates that 72% of Americans express some level of spiritual openness, with many younger generations feeling more receptive to spiritual conversations since the pandemic. This disconnect highlights a critical issue where church leaders may be overstating the challenges while overlooking the evolving spiritual landscape.
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