CNLP 623 | David Kinnaman on Why 84% of Americans Are Now Spiritually Open, Why 25% of People are Still Deconstructing, And Why Your Ministry Might Want to Target Women (Not Men) If Your Church Wants to Reach and Keep Families
Jan 9, 2024
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David Kinnaman discusses surprising spiritual openness in America, increasing deconstruction of faith, and the importance of targeting women to reach and keep families.
Moms in churches value community and support for emotional and mental health.
There is a spiritual openness among Americans, including younger generations.
Church leaders need to address pastoral burnout and empower congregation members.
Churches should equip and support individuals in their workplace missions.
Deep dives
The Importance of Supporting Emotional and Mental Health in Churches
One of the main concerns voiced by moms in churches is the lack of support for their emotional and mental health. This finding emphasizes the need for churches to prioritize and address these crucial aspects of well-being.
The Value of Community in Churches
Research shows that moms in churches highly value the sense of community that these faith communities provide. The desire for connection and belonging is a driving force behind their appreciation for churches.
The Surprising Spiritual Openness of Americans
Data suggests that a significant majority of Americans, including younger generations, are spiritually open. This responsiveness is contrary to the perception that society is becoming increasingly secular, demonstrating an opportunity for churches to engage and share their message with an open-minded audience.
The Need for Intentional and Resilient Pastoral Leadership
Pastoral burnout and the desire to leave ministry continue to be pressing issues for church leaders. To address these challenges, leaders are encouraged to prioritize their own mental and emotional health, retool their approaches to ministry, and actively involve and empower members of their congregations.
The Importance of Community in the Church
The podcast episode emphasizes the significance of community in the church. It highlights that the church is not just about attending a weekly gathering, but it should strive to build authentic relationships and provide support for individuals. The speaker discusses the value of community for moms, noting that moms prioritize community and relationships over content and preaching. The episode suggests that churches should focus on facilitating community and personalization in order to equip individuals for their unique callings and missions in the world.
The Need for Redefining Success in the Church
The podcast delves into the need for churches to redefine success beyond external metrics. It emphasizes that faithfulness to God is more important than numerical growth. The episode urges churches to consider the holistic well-being of their members and their growth in areas such as relational, emotional, and vocational aspects. It suggests that churches should prioritize discipleship and deepening faith rather than solely focusing on attracting more people. The speaker also highlights the role of the pandemic in revealing the need for a different approach to church ministry and rebuilding churches in a new way.
Equipping Laypeople for Ministry in the Workplace
The podcast encourages churches to equip laypeople for ministry in the workplace. The episode acknowledges that many churches struggle to effectively engage and support Christian business leaders and individuals in various professions. It underscores the importance of valuing and empowering these individuals in the church and helping them understand their unique callings and missions in their workplaces. The episode challenges churches to reconsider their approach to ministry, embracing personalization and participation, and providing guidance and support to help individuals live out their faith in their respective vocations.
In Part 2 of the Church Trends series, David Kinnaman shares the very latest from Barna on a surprising spiritual openness that’s growing in America while more people than ever are deconstructing their faith.
David discusses how to navigate that tension and reach more people. Plus, he explores research that shows that reaching women may be the key to reaching and keeping families.
What if generosity was part of the DNA of your church? I partnered with Westfall Gold and leaders like Craig Groeschel and Chris Hodges to create Advance, a master class video series to help pastors and church leaders grow the courage and skill to unleash generosity.
RETHINK LEADERSHIP
Senior leaders and executive pastors, join us this April at ReThink Leadership Conference. Connect with peers, learn from shared challenges, and gain an actionable plan for a healthier ministry.
