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The Resilient Pastor

39 | David Kinnaman on Spiritual Backstories, Deconstruction & Resilience

Jan 2, 2024
David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, joins hosts to discuss spiritual openness, deconstruction, and the importance of understanding people's spiritual backstories. They explore the challenges facing the church on the West Coast, the decline of religious affiliation, and the rise of deconstruction among those with a Christian backstory. The chapter emphasizes the need for authenticity and the role of Christian communities in discovering identity. They also express gratitude towards resilient pastors and introduce the Resilient Pastor Video Series as a valuable resource.
47:34

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • 72% of Americans are spiritually open, presenting an opportunity for churches to engage with the spiritually curious.
  • Churches can foster healing and connection by encouraging storytelling through exploring and expressing individuals' faith backstories.

Deep dives

High Spiritual Openness Among Americans

According to Barna research, 72% of Americans are either very open or moderately open spiritually, indicating a significant opportunity for churches to engage with the spiritually curious. Even younger generations, such as millennials and Gen Z, exhibit similar levels of openness. This openness is attributed to a shift in perceptions brought about by experiences like the pandemic, leading many to be more open to God and spirituality in general.

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