GlocalNet

Recently there have been several articles and things written about NorthWood in books and magazines that are both “sacred” and “secular”. I posted this one because I think it’s important not pronounce any single type of church “dead.” God uses all kinds of churches, worship styles, generational focuses, to see his kingdom come about.  I love them all - house, building, simple, traditional, contemporary, mega, tini-tiny, multi-ethnic, single-ethnic, young, old.  Just about the time you count someone out - and they begin to even count themselves out - God does something and starts a movement from that very spot.  I think it’s about dependence and humility.

I’m the first to see the excesses, sins, and challenges of a mega-church.  But - it ain’t my church - it’s Jesus church - he’s the head.  We didn’t start out or plan to be one - it just happened.  We were faithful in following God and it just grew.  I didn’t pick my face, my skeletal system, my body shape - it was given to me.  I’m not so sure that’s not the case with “church.”

The important thing is this - we shouldn’t stand in front of the mirror starring or admiring or being depressed at how God has made us - we should just use the “body” he gave us see transformation in lives and communities we are placed.  Sometimes I think all the discussion on “church styles” are like fashion shows with each model walking out prissin their goods before everyone showing why they’re the best.  We must never forget - it isn’t a fashion show - it’s a harvest field and we all should be sweaty and dirty!

Baylor University survey reveals Americans’ attitudes about God, churches
BY TERRY LEE GOODRICH

Related Content
Baylor study disputes common notions about religion in U.S.
Baylor University survey reveals Americans’ attitudes about God, churches

When someone at the 3,000-member NorthWood Church in Keller is hospitalized, another member often makes it to the bedside before NorthWood’s pastoral staff.

That’s because close friendships spring up in the roughly 175 smaller groups or “transformation teams” that meet weekly or every other week, said Mike Reed, executive pastor.

Megachurches may be big, but they are not impersonal.

That is one of the findings of the Baylor Religion Survey, according to researchers with the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University in Waco. The results were released Thursday at a news briefing in Washington, D.C.

The study disputed some stereotypes.

Some books by atheists may become bestsellers, but the “godless” population in America is not on the rise.

Despite some perceptions that America is out of touch with God, nearly half of Americans report having at least two religious or mystical encounters.

The findings were compiled from questionnaires mailed by the Gallup Organization in fall 2007.

They represent 1,648 English-speaking Americans ages 18 and older.

Baylor surveys started in 2005 and will be conducted every two years, with the last released in 2018.

Some findings from the analysis of responses to more than 350 items:

Megachurches, with congregations of more than 1,000, are more intimate than those with fewer than 100 members.

“To people on the outside looking in, that might seem totally ridiculous,” said Byron Johnson, Baylor sociology professor and co-director of the Institute for Studies of Religion, in a phone interview with the Star-Telegram.

But while members of megachurches might not know those they rub shoulders with on Sundays, they are more likely to invite friends to church and gather in smaller groups during the week.

“People get to know each other in very close ways,” Johnson said. “They can share their imperfections and struggles, and people are checking in on you and praying for you.  . . . Many have single parents’ groups on how to handle finances, on English as a second language. Here’s the church saying, ‘We care about this part of your life.  . . .  We aren’t here to condemn but to help.’ ”

While 11 percent of Americans claim no religious affiliation, the survey showed that a majority of those are not atheists — and they pray.

“When people say, ‘I have no religion,’ what they mean is ‘I have no church,’ ” said Rodney Stark, co-director of the institute and a distinguished professor of the social sciences at Baylor.

Polls show that during the past six decades, the percentage of atheists has stayed at about 4 percent. But books by atheists became bestsellers in 2006 and 2007 because there are more than 12 million atheists, a majority of them potential book buyers, according to Baylor’s analysis.

Two-thirds of respondents report having had at least one religious or mystical experience; 45 percent report two or more.

“We have a very, very large number of people who have heard God’s voice or think there is a guardian angel,” Stark said.

Conservative Protestants are more likely than liberal Protestants, Catholics or Jews to report such experiences as a miraculous physical healing. But such experiences occur with considerable frequency in nearly all religious groups.

Bible believers are not superstitious or easily convinced, researchers say.

Traditional Christian religion decreases belief in such things as UFOs, while education has relatively little effect.

“One of the things I think is very interesting is the notion that religious believers are a bunch of gullible people that buy into any kind of nonstandard belief,” Stark said. “But the less active you are in your church, the more likely you are to believe in Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster.”

82 percent said they are “absolutely sure” or “pretty sure” that heaven exists.

Forty-six percent are at least “quite certain” that they will go to heaven; 20 percent are “somewhat certain.”

Few Americans believe that heaven is very exclusive.

“People aren’t as exclusionary as they were 30 or 40 years ago,” Stark said. “Now, they’re more likely to say, ‘I don’t know.’ ”

The Rev. Ken Diehm of First United Methodist Church in Grapevine, which has about 2,500 members, said he was not surprised by the findings about megachurches — or by the percentage of people reporting life-changing religious experiences.

“I believe that God created us to be spiritual beings,” he said. “The idea that most people have encountered God is very understandable. It makes sense.”

Baylor Religion Survey Other results from the survey conducted in 2007. The findings were released Thursday.
20 percent of respondents said they have heard the voice of God speaking to them.

55 percent said they were protected from harm by a guardian angel.

23 percent said they have witnessed a miraculous physical healing.

16 percent said they have received a miraculous physical healing.

50 percent of women reported two or more religious or mystical experiences, while 30 percent of men reported them.

25 percent said human nature is basically evil. However, among those who believe that the devil is the source of most evil, 84 percent also attribute most evil to humans.

TERRY LEE GOODRICH