EVANGELISM NEWS
Campaign Invites Austin Area Residents to Explore God
 Explore God is a four-month coordinated effort to engage the greater Austin, Texas, area in spiritual conversation, inviting people to investigate questions about God in a non-threatening way. To date, 318 churches have signed up to host a 4- or 7-week sermon series and discussion group series aimed at giving biblical insights into life's most challenging questions. The campaign began in July and culminates with a sermon series Sept. 8 to Oct. 20, when Sunday messages and small groups will be centered on seven common questions about God and faith, including: "Does life have a purpose?" and "Why does God allow pain and suffering?" The project is interviewing dozens of theologians, pastors, authors and speakers around the world for short films featured on its website, as well as "man-on-the-street interviews".
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National Night Out Brings Neighbors Together
August 6, Nationwide
 National Night Out is a community-wide event across the US to promote involvement in crime prevention, police-community partnerships, and neighborhood camaraderie. Churches and families may consider sponsoring block parties to connect with their neighbors on this night. National Night Out involves over 37 million people and 15,000 communities from all 50 states.
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Cry Out America Seeks Coordinators, Participants for Patriot Day Prayer
September 11, Nationwide
 Christians will gather for prayer, renewal, and awakening on the steps of their State capitols, county courthouses, churches, city parks, and other public venues nationwide on Sept. 11, Patriot Day, for a prayer event called Cry Out America. Local coordinators are needed to organize and publicize events, enlist a prayer team, and connect with local pastors, churches, and civic leaders about participation. To see if your county needs a coordinator, or to join a local event, click on the map on the Cry Out America website. Patriot Day Prayer sponsor Awakening America is a Mission America Coalition partner.
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Testimonials Show Back-to-Church Sunday Works!
September 15, Nationwide
 Why should your church participate in Back to Church Sunday next month? Check out these reports of churches from previous years, and join in with MAC partners to participate:
"We broke all our previous attendance records with 145 people, including 20-30 first time visitors. That's an increase of 70 percent over our normal Sunday attendance. There were multiple commitments/renewals and several others who requested more information about the church...one of the most successful outreach events we have ever hosted." - Victory Christian Church
"Enabling people to extend a simple invitation to family/friends/coworkers has had a huge impact not only on our attendance, but on the sense of hope in our congregation. And being a smaller church, hope is sometimes in short supply when it comes to attendance...[it] has really sparked our evangelism efforts." - Redeemer Lutheran Church
"We incorporated Back to Church Sunday with our annual Family and Friends Day...We had over 100 first-time guests, received 47 connection cards, and at least four people were saved..." - Community Harvest Church
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My Hope Involvement Grows
Churches and individuals across the country continue to join in the My Hope America effort with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. In August, some 18,000 churches were already committed to be inolved, more than 10,000 church leaders had been trained, and about 117,000 individuals were offering their homes as gathering places to show a video and engage in spiritual conversations with their neighbors. The event launches in November. Special materials are being prepared for outreach including the flagship video with Billy Graham to be subtitled into 12 major international languages. Rev. Honnalora Hubbard reports on one of the pastor training sessions in Indiana. "I saw pastors' countenances change from stale and dry to being filled with emotion and faces wet with tears as God moved on their hearts and reignited their hope....They wept as they had been praying for months for an awakening in their city. They asked God for a plan, and they recognized My Hope as that plan."
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2014 Sticky Faith Cohorts Forming Now
 The Stick Faith initiative seeks to help churches develop a deep, growing faith in kids that "sticks" and continues to mature long-term. In conjunction with Sticky Faith, the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) has conducted a national longitudinal study following over 500 high school seniors during their first three years in college. The research studies the dynamics of youth group graduates’ transition to college and identifies the relationships and best practices in youth ministries, churches, and families that can help set students on a trajectory of lifelong faith and service. Mission America Coalition partner FYI uses research findings to sponsor practicum groups called a Sticky Faith Cohort, where participating churches commit to apply the research to their ministry settings. Churches that wish to apply for the 2014 cohort must do so by Dec.15, 2013.
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Join the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem
October 6, Worldwide
 Join the global chorus of prayer October 6 as hundreds of millions of Christians around the globe unite for the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem (DPPJ). More than 1,200 global leaders are issuing the call, including MAC Chairman Paul Cedar. Local representatives are needed in churches and cities. Videos are available online to share, as well as a free packet of information including posters, prayer cards, children's resources and more.
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Global Discipleship Congress Gathers 7000 Leaders in Manila
 About 7000 delegates from 61 nations gathered in Manila for the Global Discipleship Congress (GDC) in May. They heard from evangelism leaders such as Ravi Zacharias, Robert Coleman, Luis Bush, and Peter Tan-Chi. The GDC was sponsored by the Global Alliance of Intentional Disciple-Making Churches (IDMC). Highlights of the event are available onYouTube. The IDMC movement aims to empower 20,000 intentional disciple-making churches, through 50 gateway cities, to equip 100,000 disciple-makers to mobilize one million disciples. IDMC will host a conference Sept. 5-7 in Singapore with the theme "Starting Over: Rediscovering Discipleship as a Redemptive Journey."
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Global Week of Student Prayer Expands 'See You at the Pole’ Reach
September 22-28 – Worldwide
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'Weekend’ Outreach Lasts Eight Days as Spirit Leads, Community Responds
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Conference Spurs Youth Pastors to Renew Commitment to Prayer, Evangelism, and Unity
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'God Belongs in My City’ Prayer Walk Becomes a Worldwide Phenomenon, Spreads from NYC to Africa
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Commentary Spotlight
- Seven Essentials of City Transformation – Strategic thinking alone doesn’t lead to change, says Gary Kinnaman of the Barna Institute. The starting point for change has to be the power of God in and through the people working toward transformation. Read More -Part One Part Two
- Five People to Pray For, Even If You Don’t Want To – Whether we feel like praying for difficult, unlikeable people or not, Pastor Daniel Darling says, "These are the sinners Christ most likely would have sought out to save, the people we should, at the very least, pray for." Read more
- Eleven Traits of Churches That Will Change the Future – What will the future church will look like, and what kind of characteristics will mark those churches? Pastor Carey Nieuwhof, of Connexus Community Church near Toronto, lists trends he sees in the churches that will likely have a significant impact a decade from now. Read more
- What Qualifies a 'Movement?’ – Ed Stetzer from Lifeway Research assesses what constitutes a real "movement." He says, "Only God can create a movement; it takes His divine and sovereign work."Read more
- Global Trends, People Movements, and Their Impact on Mission – Urbanization will profoundly shape our world and mission over the next 30-50 years, says Patrick Dixon in the July Lausanne Global Analysis, and the destruction of families has left people searching for new forms of family, and globalization will shrink our world.Read more
Linking Leaders
MAC Weekly Evangelism Prayer Call
Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. CDT
The Mission America Coalition prayer team invites participants to join the weekly prayer teleconference, Intercession for the Harvest, every Wednesday at noon CDT. Call (641)715-3300 and enter code 416432# when prompted.
Bimonthly Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative Call
September 4, 10 a.m. CDT
A Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative conference call is held on the first Wednesday of every other month. The next call will take place Wed., September 4 at 10a.m. CDT. For more info visit the Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative Facebook page or emailBrian@missionamerica.org.
More info
MAC Cityreaching Conference Call
August 15, 10:00 a.m. CDT
A Cityreaching conference call is held the third Thursday of every month. The next call will be Thursday, August 15. To join the call, dial (712)432-0075, and enter code 9310472# when prompted. Please RSVP by e-mail to info@cityreaching.com if you plan to join the call. Archived recordings of past calls are available on the Cityreaching website.
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Find information about the following events hosted by, or of interest to, MAC partners on the MAC website:
'Bridges’ One-Day Seminars Help Christians Connect with Muslims
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International Orality Network to Host Annual Conference
September 16-19, St. Louis
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Movement Day Congress Focus: Urban Reality in Ministry
Oct. 10, Nationwide
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Explore Business as Mission with 'Go Equipped!’
October 15-20, Ft. Myers, Fla.
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ENGAGE Missional Life Conference Supports a Pray-Care-Share Lifestyle
October 18-19, Oakdale, Calif.
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Oasis Conference 2013 Equips Christians for Ministry to Muslims
October 31-November 2, Gravpevine, Texas
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Tools for Accelerating Evangelism
Church Planting Tips from Experts
Ed Stetzer helps leaders examine their motives for church planting, and consider how they can learn from seasoned church-planters about common mistakes.
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Research and Trends Available from The Barna Group
The Barna Update is an e-mail bulletin from the Barna Group that offers research addressing issues related to ministry and the Christian life, a resource to help the Church reach the culture for Christ.
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Magazine Supports College Ministry Leaders
Campus Renewal Ministries (CRM) has launched the Campus Transformation Network (CTN) to bring about Christ-centered transformation at colleges and universities across the nation. CRM strategies include an online magazine for college ministry leaders, an online social network, leadership prayer and action circles on campuses, church planting near unreached college campuses, a national conference, a partnership with Movement Day, and more.
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Learn About Islam and Connect with Muslim Neighbors
Bridges DVD curriculum, developed by Crescent Project, introduces Christians to Islam and paves the way to build relationships with Muslims in the community. Bridges seeks to reshape the way Christians view and respond to their Muslim neighbors.
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DVD Version of 'Home Run the Movie’ Releases
Home Run, The Movie, is now available on DVD. Churches with a site license can use the film as a community outreach effort. The movie highlights the Celebrate Recovery 12-step program with the fictional story of Cory, a pro baseball player who is forced into a rehabilitation program in his Oklahoma hometown after several alcohol related incidents. Cory’s story is based on thousands of true stories, and demonstrates the power of God’s redemption.
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Free eBook Helps Leaders Focus on the Mission of the Church
Be the Church: Discipleship and Mission Made Simple by Caesar Kalinowski and Seth McBee, is short book of simple pictures and conversations which offers a way to stimulate dialogue on key issues surrounding who we are as the Church and what our mission really is. The free download is provided by the Verge Network.
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Reach Urban People Outside of the Majority Culture
In Plain Sight: A Primer for Reclaiming Discipleship by Dhati Lewis is a free eBook from the Verge Network that helps leaders strategize how to reach those outside of mainstream culture in the urban context.
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Graphic Novels Bring Bible to Comics Fans
Kingstone - publisher of Christian comics and biblical - worldview graphic novels - brings the Bible to fans of graphic novels and comics. The Kingstone Bible, which features six classic stories of faith from the Old Testament is now available as the first faith-based graphic novel on the mainstream digital comics platform, ComiXology.
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Internet Toolbox for Churches
The website Internet Toolbox for Churches provides practical tools to reach people through online media and build effective ministries. It teaches how to make church digital strategy (website and social media presence) outsider-friendly, and more.
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Why I Joined the Mission America Coalition
I am very concerned that serious evangelism centered on the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is losing ground and is becoming anemic in the US, and I desire to affiliate myself and ministry with like-minded organizations.
- New Member from Reading, Pa.
My personal mission, as well as that of my business, is to reach those who don't know Christ by responding to God's leading and speaking His truth. It is also to connect with and share encouragement with other Christ-followers, working together to further our mutual effectiveness in preaching Christ.
- New Member from Stoughton, Wis.
We are committed to the whole Gospel. We engage connect and mobilize the local Church for integral discipleship through proclamation of the Good News and the demonstration of God's unfailing love for our neighbors.
- New Member from Franklin, Tenn.
To make an impact on our communities and win them to Christ. Without Christ we have no future nor hope.
- New Member from Cincinnati, Ohio.
I’m interested in evangelism tools and training for the local community.
- New Member from Poway, Calif.
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 The Intervarsity International Student Ministry (ISM) team participated in the Lausanne Global Leadership Forum in Bangalore, India, in June. Leaders pictured around the table represent the US, UK, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, and Singapore. Leighton Chinn, from the Mission America Coalition Facilitation Team is on the far left, next to his wife, Lisa Espineli Chinn, the National Director of InterVarsity ISM.
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FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
How do we share our faith with others? That is a question that many are struggling with today. It seems that some followers of Jesus do it easily while others of us find it to be very challenging.
If you are finding it to be a challenge, I encourage you to prayerfully consider adopting the prayer-care-share lifestyle. Every one of us can begin to pray for people in our lives who have never come to personal faith in Christ. We can pray for God’s blessing upon their lives and for the Holy Spirit to begin to move in their hearts to draw them to Jesus (John 6:44).
As we pray, the Lord will open opportunities for us to love them. We will not have to make things happen. Prayer will prepare the way. Our Lord will provide wonderful ways for us to express real love to them.
Then we can pray for the Lord’s guidance for the best way to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them. It may be nothing more than to invite them to your church or small group or a special evangelistic concert or event or to share a book or booklet or CD or to carry on a spiritual conversation with them or to ask them to share their spiritual journey with you. Usually that opens the door to share your faith journey with them. These are some of the possibilities, and, of course, there are many more.
You can do it. Or even better, the Holy Spirit can do it through you!
It will be a great joy,
Paul Cedar
Chairman
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RESEARCH AND TRENDS
Latinos Turning to Christ
A Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) website created to reach Spanish-speakers with the message of love and hope in God,PazConDios.net, reported 78,000 Latinos have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior in the first full year of the website’s presence. (Christian Post 7/6/13)
Faith Comes By Hearing,
a New Mexico based ministry, offers free access to its digital collection of Scripture in 733 languages via streaming, downloads and podcasts. These languages collectively represent a potential outreach to more than 5.7 billion in more than 189 different countries. (Christian Post 7/13/13)
New Millennials
ages 14 to 17 are a bit more worried than their older counterparts about the economy and their future, while their older counterparts have a more positive outlook, finds a new MTV study. Over 75% worry about the negative impact that today’s economy will have on their future. 60% believe their generation will be worse off than their parents’ generation. 60% also feel very stressed about getting into a good high school or college. 71% agree, "If I want to do something, no one is going to stop me" vs. only 51% in 2011. 70% say, "I put more pressure on myself than others put on me." 80% agree, "Sometimes I just need to unplug and enjoy the simple things." Nearly 60% take a break from technology to make things with their hands. 70% admit their parents are like a best friend vs. 58% three years ago. (Media Daily News 6/19/13)
Canada’s Changing Religious Composition
The percentage of Canadians who identify as Catholic has dropped from 47% to 39% over the last four decades, while the share that identifies as Protestant has fallen from 41% to 27%. Concurrently, the number of those who belong to other religions (Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Judaism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity) is growing. Collectively, these smaller religious groups account for 11% as of 2011 vs. 4% in 1981. In addition, the number who do not identify with any religion has risen from 4% in 1971 to 24% in 2011. In the U.S., the Catholic share of the population has held fairly steady in recent decades (roughly 25%), while the Protestant share has fallen from more than two-thirds in the 1960s to about 50% today. In the early 1980s, only 20% of adults in either country were affiliated with religious traditions other than Protestantism or Catholicism. As of 2011, 10% Canadians self-identify as Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish or an adherent of other religions (including Orthodox Christianity). The share of U.S. adults who belong to these smaller religious groups has increased more slowly, reaching 6% in 2012. (The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life 6/27/13)
Geographic Shift Changes Religious Population Mix
A total of 41% of new legal permanent U.S. residents in 1992 came from the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East-North Africa region or sub-Saharan Africa. By 2012, 53% were from those regions. Conversely, the annual percentage coming from Europe and the Americas has decreased. 59% of all new legal immigrants in 1992 came from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean or North America. By 2012 it was 47%. With this geographic shift, Pew Research estimates the religious makeup of legal immigrants also has been changing. While Christians continue to make up a majority of legal immigrants, the estimated share of new ones who are Christian declined from 68% in 1992 to 61% in 2012. The share that belongs to religious minorities rose 19% to 25%. This includes growing shares of Muslims (5% to 10%) and Hindus (3% to 7%). Buddhists however dipped slightly (7% to 6%). (Church Executive 6/7/13)
Who Has Read the Bible Through?
According to Barna Research, one in five American adults have read the Bible from start to finish. 61% of evangelical Christians have done so. So have 18% of people with a faith other than Christianity and 9% of people with no faith. 23% of Boomers, the group with the highest readership, have read the Bible through.(CT Gleanings 6/4/13)
Religious Practice and The Family
In 1972, 94.9% of Americans reported a religious preference vs. 82% in 2010. According to a study by Ethics and Public Policy Center fellow Mary Eberstadt, family strengthens religious practice, and likewise, religious practice strengthens the family. Marriages tend to be stronger when the spouses attend weekly service. Likewise, parents (especially fathers) are more involved in the lives of their children when they frequent religious services. Religious practice contributes to the well-being of individuals, families and the community. However, where there is a breakdown of the family, religious observance likewise slumps.(Heritage Foundation 6/6/13)
Canadian and U.S. Church Attendance
In 1986, more than 43% of Canadian adults 15 and older and 54% of U.S. adults 18 and older attended religious services at least once a month, according to General Social Surveys. By 2010, the figure for Canadian adults had fallen 16 percentage points to 27%, while the share of U.S. adults had declined by 8 points to 46%.(The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life 6/27/13)
Mormon Missionaries Move Online
The Mormon Church has announced it will start using sites like Facebook to build an online presence and bolster recruitment instead of sending missionaries door-to-door. Currently 70,000-some missionaries are utilized by the church, and that number is expected to grow to 85,000 by year-end. (The Inquisitr 6/25/13)
Religious Liberty
continues to suffer globally at the hands of extremists and totalitarian governments, according to a new report by U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The commission retained Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Uzbekistan on its CPC list and recommends the U.S. State Department add Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Vietnam. Katrina Lantos Swett described the condition of global religious freedom as "increasingly dire due to the presence of forces that fuel instability. These forces include the rise of violent religious extremism coupled with the actions and inactions of governments." (Baptist Press 5/3/13)
The YouVersion Bible App
hit the 100 million downloads milestone on 7/7/13. While the app is most used at home (81%) and church (60%), it is also used "on the go" (55%). 67% use it at work and 67% of users switch between Bible versions. The three most shared verses via Twitter, Facebook, email and text were Isaiah 53:5, Hebrews 4:15 and Matthew 7:7. (Christian Post 7/9/13)
VBS Today
According to a new Barna study commissioned by Gospel Light, 68% of churches in America offered Vacation Bible School (VBS) last summer. In recent years, this level of involvement has remained fairly stable. However, it’s lower than the high of 81% in 1997. Nine out of ten Southern Baptist churches hosted VBS in 2012. Nearly three-quarters of all Southern churches offered VBS vs. only about half of those in the West. Apart from denomination, churches that most commonly hold a VBS program are simply larger (in both budgets and congregation). The most common reason cited by pastors of churches that did not hold a VBS is "not enough adult volunteers to lead the program," followed by "not enough children among the congregation." 76% of Buster pastors (30–48) were involved in VBS programs, more than any other age group.(Barna Group 7/9/13)
Half of All Children
born in the U.K. are being raised by one parent, usually the mother. And "every year an additional 20,000 people, mainly women, join the throngs of those raising children more or less singlehandedly," states a new Centre for Social Justice report. According to studies, children with separated, single or step-parents are 50% more likely to fail at school, have low self-esteem, struggle to make friends and with their behavior. They often battle with anxiety or depression throughout the rest of their lives. (LifeSite News 6/17/13)
Digital Natives
Barna Group’s most recent study on how the rise of e-reading will affect the future of the Christian book industry, conducted in May of 2013, discovered one-quarter of American adults own an e-reading device. Christians are right on par with the national average. One in four use an e-reader or mobile tablet for reading purposes. Pastors’ use of e-readers has tripled from 14% to 44% in just 2 years. E-reader users are often between 29 and 47, college-educated and married with children. Those with an annual income of higher than $60,000 are also likely to gravitate toward e-readers, and so are white Americans vs. non-white. Also, women are more likely than men to own an e-reader. The typical reader uses e-books about 1/10 of the time, but for more acclimated readers about 1/3 of his or her reading is done on a digital device. Those who own an e-reader actually spend about 50% more time reading books in a typical week than those not using e-readers. (Barna Group 6/24/13)
Pastors Influence Book Buying
Nine in ten Protestant pastors make book recommendations from the pulpit. Nearly one in three Christians have purchased a Christian product after hearing a sermon in a church, and one in six have made a purchase after hearing about it on the radio. About one in five Christian store shoppers have been influenced to purchase a Christian product because of social media.(Barna Group 6/24/13)
Traits of Youth Who Stay in the Church
What is it that sets apart the kids who stay in the church? John Neilson, college pastor at College Church in Wheaton, Il., offers three traits of kids who stay. First, they are converted, new creations, who are hungry to know and speak God’s Word. Second, they have been equipped to share the gospel, disciple a younger believer, and lead a Bible study, not entertained. Third, the 20-somethings who are serving, leading, and driving the ministries at our church are kids whose parents made them go to church, whose parents read the Bible around the dinner table, and who were tough but who ultimately operated from a framework of grace that held up the cross of Jesus as the basis for peace with God and forgiveness toward one another.(Church Leaders)
What Numbers Matter?
Numbers will help church leaders in effective planning, decision-making and prioritizing. Here are the 9 different areas of ministries that, when measured and tracked, offer you valuable intelligence about the health and vitality of your church’s community-building efforts: 1. Attendance, 2. Volunteers, 3. Missional Participation, 4. Online Activity, 5. Financial Giving, 6. Event Outcomes, 7. Assimilation, 8. Growth, 9. Attrition. (ChurchLeaders.com 7/14/13)
Religious Giving Down
Religious organizations may have received the largest proportion (as usual) of the more than $316 billion donated by Americans last year. But they’re also one of the only giving sectors not bouncing back post-recession, according to the Giving USA Foundation. Charitable giving to churches and religious organizations fell 2.2% in 2012 (when adjusted for inflation). Meanwhile, every other giving sector except foundations saw donations grow. The decrease is consistent with findings by ECFA. (CT Gleanings 6/21/13)
The Home-Educated
typically score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests. (The public school average is the 50th percentile; scores range from 1 to 99.)(NHERI.org)
Cost of a Child
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports the average child in the U.S. costs his or her parents about $286,050-before college. (Christianity Today 7/10)
The U.S. Marriage Rate
for 18–34 year-olds is at its lowest in over a century, finds a new Demographic Intelligence report. Although, it projects a temporary 4% increase in weddings this year, up from the historically low rate of 6.8 marriages per 1,000 population, which has held since 2009. The predicted growth is to be among women 25–34 and college-educated and affluent people. Marriage rates dropped 5% during the recession, falling most among less educated and young women. Even with growth in the young adult population, the rate is predicted to drop again at the end of the decade due to "the ongoing retreat from marriage." In 1970 there were only about a half-million cohabiting couples vs. 7.5 million today. (LifeSite News 6/20/13)
Dad Stats
75% of dads make it home for dinner as often as they can, 53% take one to two weeks off from work after the birth of their child, and 61% say they place family before work all or most of the time. Four out of five dads consider themselves involved fathers who do at least half the childcare, and 9 out of 10 say they’re involved because it’s important to them and they enjoy it. 26% of dads shop for groceries, 71% attend children’s activities, 94% play with their children and 63% manage the bath time routine. (Engage Moms 6/14/13)
Preparation for Parenthood
A 2012 Barna study found only 22% of youth pastors in Protestant churches intentionally offer their students interaction with healthy families in the church as a major part of their ministry strategy. (CT Her-Meneutics 7/3/13)
People and Transitions:
- The King’s College Board of Trustees has selected Gregory Alan Thornbury as the school’s next president.
Fast Facts:
- 81% of U.S. churchgoers say, "When you die, you will go to heaven because you have confessed your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior."
- 19 out of every 20 U.S. Protestant churches (95%) offer a Sunday school.
- Just one in every 7 senior pastors (15%) considers Sunday school to be their church’s highest priority.
- 69% of U.S. churches offer VBS today vs. 81% in 2007.
- One of every 5 churches creates their own curriculum for elementary-age Sunday school.
- 41% of Millennials with a Christian background say they desire "a more traditional faith rather than a hip version of Christianity."
- Nearly one-third of Millennials with a Christian background are "more excited about church than any time in my life."
- 71% of U.S. churchgoers agree that God is just and that sin must be punished.
- 82% of U.S. churchgoers believe the Bible is the written Word of God and is totally accurate in all it teaches.
- Approximately 1/3 of U.S. children live in a home without a father present.
- 80% of U.S. gang members come from fatherless homes.
- Of the world’s 6 billion mobile phones, more than three-quarters are located in the developing world.
- 27 million people are trapped in human trafficking, finds a new U.S. State Department report.
- 67% of tweens would rather receive an electronic device than a toy.
- 42% of tweens are allowed to search the Internet without supervision.
- One-third of the U.S. population accounts for 70% of spending on entertainment.
News and Trends information compiled and edited by Gary Foster, President of Gary D Foster Consulting, a firm that assists Christian ministries and product companies in solving management, marketing, donor/customer service and product development problems. Contact Gary at: 419.238.4082,GFosterCns@rmi.net or go towww.GaryDFoster.com .
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COLLABORATION CALENDAR
Please submit your events and activities that are open for participation from the whole Church by email to info@missionamerica.org.
Conference Calls & Webinars
MAC - Prayer Evangelism - Intercession for the Harvest
Wednesdays at 12:00 pm CDT
(641)715-3300 / passcode 416432#
MAC Cityreaching Conference Call
August 15, 10:00 a.m. CDT
(712) 432-0075 / passcode 9310472#
Bimonthly Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative Call
July 10, 10 a.m. CDT
Events
National Night Out
Aug. 6, Nationwide
The Global Leadership Summit
Aug. 8-9, Willow Creek in South Barrington, Ill., and Nationwide
Palau Alliance Evangelism Leaders Conference
Aug. 19-21, Portland, Ore.
The Praying Church Conference 2013
Aug.22-23, Cartersville, Ga.
SoCal Harvest
Harvest America
August 23–25, Anaheim, Calif.
2013 All Military Laborer’s Conference
(The Navigators)
Aug. 30- Sept. 2, Toccoa, Ga.
Cry Out America - Patriot Day
Sept. 11, Nationwide
National Back to Church Sunday
Sept. 15, Nationwide
International Orality Network Conference
Sept. 16-19, St. Louis
International Society for Frontier Missiology Conference
Sept. 18-19, Dallas
North American Mission Leaders Conference
Missio Nexus
Sept. 19-21, Dallas/Fort Worth
NextStep DFW: DFW Perspectives Reunion
Sept. 21, Grapevine, Texas
Global Week of Student Prayer
Sept. 22-28, Worldwide
See You at the Pole
Sept. 25, Worldwide
Harvest America 2013
Sept. 29, Philadelphia and Nationwide
City Advance 2013 Meeting
Oct. 8-9, New York
Movement Day
Oct. 10, New York
Go Equipped! Tentmaking Missions Course
(Global Opportunities)
Oct. 15-20, Ft. Myers, Fla.
ENGAGE Missional Life Conference
Oct. 18-19, Oakdale, Calif.
Oasis Conference 2013
Oct. 31-Nov. 2, Gravpevine, Texas
The Pacific Northwest Regional CIR
Dec. 2-3, Beaverton, Ore.
Impact Holy Land Conference
Evangelicals for Social Action
Dec.4-6, Philadelphia
13th Ethnic Ministries Summit
Apr. 25-26, 2014, San Francisco Bay Area
Exponential 2014 Church Planters Conference
Apr. 28-May 1, 2014, Orlando, Fla.
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JUNE 2013
Collaboration Calendar | Commentary Spotlight | Evangelism News | From the Chairman | Let's Connect | Linking Leaders |Research and Trends | Tools for Accelerating Evangelism |Why I Joined the Mission America Coalition
June Highlights
EVANGELISM NEWS
Thousands of churches have signed up to participate in the latest evangelism effort by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) to spread the Gospel in North America. According to the BGEA, as of mid-May, 12,279 congregations had signed onto the "My Hope America With Billy Graham" evangelism event. With a strong emphasis on interpersonal relationships, "My Hope America" calls upon Christians to form cordial friendships with their neighbors and to build relationships with those around them. These Christians who will open up to others are known by "My Hope" organizers as "Matthews," in reference to the disciple Matthew inviting friends of his to hear Jesus speak. The culmination will take place in November, when a video presentation featuring the Rev. Billy Graham will be shown on TV, DVD, and online.
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Under the coaching of FYI, churches in the Cohort develop a "Breakthrough Plan" that will enable them to increase their ministry effectiveness. Goals of the Sticky Faith platform include empowering parents in their child's faith development, involving the entire church in intergenerational ministry to teenagers, and fostering students' faith identity development.
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Churches and dozens of partner organizations in the Elgin, Ill., area came together for a third biannual Love Elgin Day in April. The multi-denominational outreach event was held at five local churches and provided free food, personal care items, clothing and shoes, medical and dental screenings, pregnancy ultrasounds, professional legal counsel, haircuts, manicures, bike repairs and other services to thousands of people in need. Rev. Robert Sathuri of First United Methodist Church said that 15-20 percent of the 118,000 people in Elgin are unemployed or underemployed. Love Elgin Day is designed to help these families and individuals who need physical resources and spiritual encouragement.
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July 9-August 7, Worldwide
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Commentary Spotlight
Linking Leaders
Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. CDT
The Mission America Coalition prayer team invites participants to join the weekly prayer teleconference, Intercession for the Harvest, every Wednesday at noon CDT. Call (641) 715-3300 and enter code 416432# when prompted.
David Kinnaman, President/CEO Barna Research Group, is the guest on the next Cityreaching conference call, June 20. Kinnaman will discuss research reports that affect CityReaching and Community Impact Movements. To join the call, dial (712) 432-0075, and enter code 9310472# when prompted. Please [RSVP by e-mail info@cityreaching.com] if you plan to join the call. Archived recordings, including the May call with Francis Frangipane, are available on the Cityreaching website. The Cityreaching conference call is held the third Thursday of every month.
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July 10, 10 a.m. CDT
A Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative conference call is held on the first Wednesday of every other month. The next call will be moved, due to the Fourth of July holiday, to Wed., July 10 at 10a.m. CDT. For more info visit the Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative Facebook page or email Brian Brian@missionamerica.org.
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July 12-14, St. David's, Pa.
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August 19-21, Portland, Ore.
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September 19-21, Dallas/ Fort Worth
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October 8-9, New York
A two-day "City Advance" consultation will take place Oct. 8-9 at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City prior to the Movement Day gathering. The City Advance gathering is a learning community designed to enhance ongoing contribution to the Gospel Movement for leaders in their cities. The event is facilitated by Rev. Dr. Glenn Barth of GoodCities, and Rev. Tom White of Frontline Ministries. Together they bring the cumulative wisdom of more than 50 years serving as practitioners and coaches for City Movements in North America and around the world. Participants will hear stories from mature movements seeing measurable signs of transformation, interact with other leaders, engage in dialogue on how to overcome obstacles to multi-generational, multi-ethnic, and cross-sector collaboration. In time designated for strategic planning, they will design a blueprint for a five-year plan to bring increased Kingdom impact to their city and region.
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October 10, New York
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December 2-3, Beaverton, Ore.
The eleventh annual Pacific Northwest Regional City Impact Roundtable will take place December 2-3 in Beaverton, Ore., hosted by the Luis Palau Association. Pastor Rick McKinley of Imagio Dei in Portland, will be the plenary presenter.
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Tools for Accelerating Evangelism
Help Grads Keep Their Faith in College
Make College Count: A Faithful Guide to Life and Learning is a book designed to help college students make the most of their time in college. It encourages them to ask the questions, such as: Why am I going to college? What kind of person do I want to be? How do I want my life to influence others? With whom will I surround myself? What do I believe? Author Derek Melleby is the director of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU) College Transition Initiative.
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'Message to the Masses,' New Youth Video Resource Launches
A UK team has just launched a new online resource, Message to the Masses, with video shorts aimed at mid-to-late teens. It answers questions about faith in an outsider-friendly and accessible way, so it is useful for youth group members to use and share. Founder Darren Quinnel says, "We exist to ignite a faith-sharing passion in young people's hearts. Our aim is not only to see young people understand their faith but also to help and support them in defending that faith."
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Connect with Neighbors through Movie Clubs
New movies can be an opportunity to connect with non-Christians and build relationships, says Damaris Media. They offer resources for film clubs to share, explore, reflect and discuss movies, their themes, and the ideas they raise.
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Book 'Pop Goes the Church: Should the Church Engage in Pop Culture?'
In the book Pop Goes the Church: Should the Church Engage in Pop Culture?, Tim Stevens makes a case for using pop culture as an evangelistic starting point within local church ministry, and he offers biblical backing for this approach. Stevens points to embedded "echoes of eternity" in many movies, music lyrics, and other stories.
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'Deep in the Heart' Debuts on DVD
Based on the true story of Dick Wallrath, "Deep in the Heart" is a tale of finding lost faith, love of family, and redemption. Wallrath was raised in a physically abusive, alcoholic home, and grew up to become the same. He lost everything, and then found faith, forgiveness, sobriety and a new life of generosity, ultimately giving millions to young people in Texas.
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Fixed-Hour Prayers, One Way to Develop Consistent Prayer Life
Sticky Faith, a program for youth from the Fuller Youth Institute, offers a suggestion for one way of developing a consistent prayer life. Fixed hour prayer, a practice of praying during set times every day, has helped some develop the discipline to pray regularly.
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Graphic Novel Tells Stories of Jesus
Eternity, A new graphic novel from Randy Alcorn, takes readers to first-century Jerusalem and Jesus' story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. The book from Kingstone Comics presents biblical truth in a format that may appeal to a different audience from traditional books.
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Why I Joined the Mission America Coalition
"I have a strong desire to be a part of a movement that would bring the Church TOGETHER & live out "Prayer, Care, Share" mandate which is the heart of MAC's calling."
- Dai Sup Han, Chico, Calif.
"As an Evangelist, I'm excited to fellowship with other like minded folks."
- Kevin Eaton, Springfield, N.Y.
"We are looking to align with great Jesus-Centered organizations like MAC because we know its first priority is the Cause of Christ, as is ours."
- Donna Johnson, College Park, Ga.
In April, 11,500 people in 40 cities in the greater Modesto, Calif., area united for an annual service project called Love Modesto. The day kicked off with a downtown rally before volunteers cleaned up neighborhoods, cared for people in need, and completed numerous service projects. Love Modesto is part of the Love Our Cities movement.
More infoFROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Praying for lost people is at the very center of the LOVE2020 initiative. All of us have significant persons we know who are spiritually lost, as far as we can tell. They may include family members, work associates, neighbors, members of the service clubs to which we belong - and the list goes on.
Whether or not these persons live near us, they are our neighbors – the very neighbors that Jesus has commanded us to love. We don't always know the best way to love our neighbors, but one way that we can love every one of them is to pray for them. And a particularly important way to pray for them is that they would come to personal faith in Jesus Christ.
When we begin to earnestly pray for our neighbors, amazing things often begin to take place. The Holy Spirit begins to move in marvelous and mysterious ways. He begins to convict, woo and draw people to Jesus. And He opens natural opportunities for us to express genuine love to them in deed and in word. It is remarkable!
If you are not doing so, I would encourage you to begin to pray for lost people that you know and then to authentically love them. You will be blessed and they will be blessed. It is life at its best!
Have a blessed June,
Paul Cedar
Chairman
LET'S CONNECT
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including initiatives like Loving Our Communities to Christ, donate online .
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Mission America | Mission America P.O. Box 13930 Palm Desert, CA 92255
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NOVEMBER 2013
Collaboration Calendar | Commentary Spotlight | Evangelism News | From the Chairman | Let's Connect | Linking Leaders |Research and Trends | Tools for Accelerating Evangelism
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EVANGELISM NEWS
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February 17-19, Charlotte, N.C.
You are invited to the MAC 2014 Leadership Consultation
We will share evangelism and discipleship updates and strategies as we meet around tables in working groups, planning and learning together with practitioners from local communities to national outreach leaders. Affinity sphere leaders from MAC's LOVE2020 initiative will be at the tables also with insights for reaching more than three dozen spheres of our culture.
During the past 20 years, MAC partners, members, and others have met to advance the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ and to prayerfully form collaborative action plans that have influenced our nation by drawing many to Christ. You will not want to miss this pivotal gathering of denominations, evangelism leaders, city reachers, church planters, pastors, and other Christian leaders! Save the dates now!
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January 18, Worldwide
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March 5 - April 13, 2014
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February 7-14, Nationwide
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March 5 - April 13, 2014
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June 14, Worldwide
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Commentary Spotlight
Linking Leaders
These and many other events hosted by, or of interest to, MAC partners are listed in our online calendar.
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Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. CDT
The Mission America Coalition prayer team invites participants to join the weekly prayer teleconference , Intercession for the Harvest, every Wednesday at noon CDT. Call (641)715-3300 and enter code 416432# when prompted.
November 21, 10:00 a.m. CDT
A Cityreaching conference call is held the third Thursday of every month. The next call is Nov. 21 with Charles Daugherty and the team from Cedar Rapids, an established CityReaching model. To join the call, dial (712)432-0075, and enter code 9310472# when prompted.
Listen online to a recording of the October call with Glenn Barth and Tom White discussing "City Advance."
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November 6, 10 a.m. CDT
A Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative conference call is held on the first Wednesday of every other month. The next call will take place Wed., November 6 at 10 a.m. CDT. For more info visit the Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative Facebook page or email Brian.
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November 5, 12:00 p.m. CDT
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November 18-22, Minneapolis
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Apr. 28-May 1, 2014, Orlando, Fla.
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Tools for Accelerating Evangelism
Gospel Shapes the Heart of the Evangelist First
In a video message, Pastor Tim Keller explains how a gospel-changed heart is crucial to cultural renewal. Keller says the gospel shapes the attitude of the evangelist and gives our hearts the humility to work within the culture and cooperate with others in a way that advances evangelism.
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Show 'Unstoppable’ in Your Church
Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Your church can be a hub for discussion and ongoing dialogue for questions of doubt and faith by utilizing Kirk Cameron's movie "Unstoppable." Beginning Nov. 15, churches can host a movie event to reach out to the community and continue the dialogue with resources from Unstoppable and partner ministries, including a discussion guide and sermon helps. The DVD will release at retailers in January.
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Reclaim the Heart for Evangelism in the Church
In Dying to Grow: Reclaiming the Heart for Evangelism in the Church , Dr. Nathan Lorick, director of evangelism for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, challenges churches to restore an intentional evangelism strategy within the body and teaches practical ways to do it.
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Study Ephesians with the Global Church
The Lausanne Movement has released Ephesians: Studying with the Global Church, a study guide and DVD curriculum for small groups based on the study of Ephesians at Cape Town 2010. The guide is intended to make some of the Cape Town 2010 experience available to local churches. It provides training in inductive Bible study, a fold-out manuscript of the book of Ephesians, a DVD recording of the six Bible expositors, and a brief introduction to The Lausanne Movement.
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Help Others Understand God’s Sovereignty in Tragedy
In this free eBook, Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ, John Piper addresses the question of where God is when disaster comes, working through biblical truths to help bolster readers' trust in the utter sovereignty of God.
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Seven Tips for Missions in the Suburbs
Pastor Jon Dansby of Austin, Texas, gives seven practical elements that have made his missional community in the suburbs a success.
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How to Make God Real to a Skeptical Public
Although many people avoid church, 88 percent of the population say faith is important to them and they desire to grow closer to God. Author Thom Schultz explains five ways the church can shift the focus to a relationship with Jesus and help people see God as a real and constant companion, not just a remote subject to be studied.
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Free Booklet, Building a Marriage that Lasts
Dr. James Dobson offers a free booklet with advice for a thriving marriage. Readers will learn how to avoid marriage killers and apply the important fundamentals of Christian marriage that will promote joy, satisfaction, and success. The booklet is a helpful tool to use in connection with National Marriage Week USA and the emphasis on marriage education.
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Perspectives on Missional Community
In a free eBook from Verge Network, Missional Community Made Simple , nine leading thinkers and practitioners share perspectives on what it means to follow Jesus in community, on mission. Contributors include Alan Hirsch, Mike Breen, Jeff Vanderstelt, Neil Cole, Todd Engstrom, Hugh Halter, JR Woodward, Felicity Dale, and Matt Carter.
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One year after Hurricane Sandy pounded the East Coast, Samaritan's Purse is helping homeowners continue to experience God’s restoring power and connecting with people who have never encountered true Christians.
More infoFROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
For several months, we have been sharing with you the forthcoming ministry of My Hope America with Billy Graham. During the past 60+ years, Mr. Graham has been preaching the Gospel across this nation and around the world. This coming Thursday, November 7, he will be celebrating his 95th birthday and will be sharing the gospel by means of a very powerful and effective television special.
For those of us involved in seeking to live the prayer-care-share lifestyle it is a very special opportunity. Many of us have been praying for those around us who have never come to personal faith in Jesus Christ. And we have been caring for them by reaching out to them with love in tangible ways. This television special offers a very loving way to share the gospel with them.
If you have not planned to take advantage of this special opportunity, I would encourage you to do so. It is not too late. It may be Mr. Graham's last television special. You can find full details atwww.myhopewithbillygraham.org.
Jeannie and I are opening our home to a number of our friends and neighbors later this week for the TV special. We are praying for the Lord to use it to draw several of them to the Lord. We pray the same for you as you reach out.
Prayerfully and expectantly,
Paul Cedar
Chairman
P.S. Please give prayerful consideration to the invitation to the 2014 Leadership Consultation - your participation is important to the strategic ministries of the Mission America Coalition.
LET'S CONNECT
RESEARCH AND TRENDS
More Non-Attenders
The percentage of Americans who say they "seldom" or "never" attend religious services (aside from weddings and funerals) has risen modestly in the past decade. 29% of U.S. adults now say they seldom or never attend services, up from 25% in 2003, according to aggregated data from Pew Research Center surveys. The share of people who say they attend services at least once a week has remained relatively steady; 37% say they attend at least weekly today vs. 39% a decade ago. (Pew Research Center 9/13/13)
The unchurched segment
among Millennials has increased in the last decade from 44% to 52%, mirroring a larger cultural trend among Americans. Barna research shows 59% of Millennials who grow up in Christian churches end up walking away from either their faith or from the institutional church at some point in their first decade of adult life.(Barna Update 9/17/13)
20-Somethings Who Stay in Church
When comparing 20-somethings who remained active in their faith beyond high school and 20-somethings who dropped out of church, a new Barna study uncovered a significant difference between the two. Those who stay were twice as likely to have a close personal friendship with an adult inside the church (59% of those who stayed report such a friendship versus 31% among those who are no longer active). (Barna Update 9/17/13)
Millennial Faith
About one-quarter of Millennials (18 to 29) are practicing Christians, meaning they attend church at least once a month and strongly affirm their religious faith is very important in their life. A majority of Millennials claim to pray each week, one-quarter say they’ve read the Bible or attended a religious small group this week, and one in seven have volunteered at a church in the past week. The most common drivers of spiritual growth among Millennials are prayer, family and friends, the Bible, having children, and their relationship with Jesus. Church make the top 10.(Barna Update 9/17/13)
Millennials and God’s Calling
Millennials who have remained active in church are three times more likely than dropouts to say they learned to view their gifts and passions as part of God’s calling (45% vs. 17%). They are four times more likely to have learned at church "how the Bible applies to my field or career interests" (29% vs. 7%). Millennials who remain active are more likely than those who dropped out to say they believe Jesus speaks to them personally in a way that is real and relevant (68% vs. 25%). Additionally, actives are much more likely to believe the Bible contains wisdom for living a meaningful life (65% vs. 17%). (Barna Update 9/17/13)
First-Time Visitors
Two out of 100 people sitting in America’s pews are attending that congregation for the first time. The U.S. Congregational Life Survey found 67% of first-time visitors had been participating in another congregation before coming to one of the study’s congregations. But 13% had never regularly attended anywhere before. Another 15% had not been attending anywhere for several years. 39% of first-time worship visitors consists of people 25 to 44. The average age of these first-timers is 41, nine years younger than the average worshiper. 59% were women vs. 41% men, a ratio almost identical to that among all worshipers. While only 33% of all worshipers are not married, 54% of first-time worship visitors are single. 27% have never been married, 10% are divorced or separated, 5% are living in a committed relationship but not married, and 4% are widowed. (Insights Into Religion 10/3/13)
Cultural, Congregational and Convictional
Around 75% of Americans "self-identify" as Christians, regardless of how others might define them. LifeWay Research’s Ed Stetzer separates those who profess Christianity into three categories: cultural, congregational and convictional. Cultural Christians believe themselves to be Christians simply because of their culture or heritage; Congregational Christians they have some connection to congregational life, perhaps a "home church"; Convictional Christians actually live according to their faith. They would say they have met Jesus and He changed their lives. Each group comprises about 1/3 of the 75% (about 1/4 of all Americans). (CT Online 10/1/13)
"Generation World"
top five conscious attitudes are: 1) People should be able to marry, live and work however they want. 2) It’s up to me to get what I want in life. 3) My age doesn’t define me; it is not central to who I am. 4) My identity, who I really am, is a work in progress. 5) Success is about how you see yourself, not how other people think of you. These attitudes, 42% of the global sample, represent a new mainstream who are multi-faceted, complex and evolving. (Center for Media Research Brief 10/3/13)
Influence of Hispanics in the U.S.
Research from Barna: Hispanics, in partnership with the American Bible Society, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and OneHope, reveals the faith and social values of Latinos may be more conservative than many cultural observers realize. Hispanics in the U.S. place high value on the traditional family. 78% of all Latinos in the U.S. say the traditional family is the main building block of a healthy community. 69% believe it is best for children to be raised by parents married to each other. Half say they are "very concerned" about the breakdown of Hispanic families. 66% say marriage should be defined as a relationship between one man and one woman. 73% believe adoption or parenting is better choices than abortion. However, the longer the Hispanic community experiences U.S. cultural norms, the less socially conservative its members become. (Barna Update 8/20/13)
Religious Retention
"The most important factor predicting religious retention is whether a person’s family of origin was religiously homogeneous and observant or not." If we want the next generation to embrace the faith, parents and extended family have to believe and faithfully practice it themselves. (American Grace by Robert Putnam and David Campbell, Simon & Sch...)
Christians Impact Economic Well-Being
According to a study of more than 100 nations by Dutch researcher Dick Slikker, changes in the percentage of Christians (especially evangelicals) in a given country have a direct correlation to economic well-being. His conclusion: "Changes in the percentage of Christians within a society exert a measurable correlated influence of the economic well-being of that society. When using total Christian populations per country, statistically significant positive linear correlations were obtained in seven out of eight combinations of data source, rating agency and either five- or 10-year interval." Also, within the three subsets of Christianity studied-Protestants, Catholics, and evangelicals-it was evangelicals that proved to have the highest rate of correlation with economic wellbeing. (CT Gleanings 9/25/13)
Bestselling Bibles
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s list of top selling Bibles based on adult book sales data from U.S. Christian retail stores: (1) New International Version; (2) King James Version; (3) New King James Version; (4) New Living Translation; (5) English Standard Version; (6) Reina Valera; (7) New American Standard Bible; (8) New International Reader's Version; (9) The Message; (10) Christian Standard Bible.(Christian Post 9/19/13)
Prayer & Bible Study
A third of Americans (and nearly half of evangelical, fundamentalist or born-again Christians) believe prayer and Bible study alone can overcome serious mental illness, finds a LifeWay Research study. 68% of Americans would feel welcome in church if they were mentally ill. (Baptist Press 9/18/13)
Adolescent Addicts to Mature Content
A new Univ. of East London, UK, survey finds 20% of boys in their late teens say they are dependent on explicit content. 97% of boys and 80% of girls who responded to the survey said they had viewed explicit content. 25% of boys and 8% of girls said they have tried to stop watching it but could not kick the habit. In another recent study, Cambridge University conducted brain scans of men 19 to 34 who had tried unsuccessfully to give up explicit content and found their neuroscans resemble those of alcohol or heroin addicts. (LifeSite News 10/1/13)
News and Trends information compiled and edited by Gary Foster, President of Gary D Foster Consulting, a firm that assists Christian ministries and product companies in solving management, marketing, donor/customer service and product development problems. Contact Gary at: 419.238.4082,GFosterCns@rmi.net or go towww.GaryDFoster.com.
COLLABORATION CALENDAR
Submit your events and activities that are open for participation from the whole Church by email toinfo@missionamerica.org.
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DECEMBER 2013
Collaboration Calendar | Commentary Spotlight | Evangelism News | From the Chairman | Let's Connect | Linking Leaders |Research and Trends | Tools for Accelerating Evangelism
December Highlights
EVANGELISM NEWS
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Feb. 17-19, Charlotte
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The Lausanne Movement website offers important points for prayer for disaster relief and spiritual support in the Philippines following Super Typhoon Haiyan (called "Yolanda" locally). It also includes links for information about the current status of relief, as well as options for donating to relief efforts. In addition, Christianity Today published an insightful article "3 Ways to Help with Disaster Relief in the Philippines" which also includes links to donate through denominations and other ministries at work in the Philippines.
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February 7-14, Nationwide
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March 5 - April 13
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Commentary Spotlight
Linking Leaders
These and many other events hosted by, or of interest to, MAC partners are listed in our online calendar.
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December 19, 10:00 a.m. CDT
A Cityreaching conference call is held the third Thursday of every month. The next call is Dec. 19. To join the call, dial (712)432-0075, and enter code 9310472# when prompted. If you missed the November call, the recording of Charles Daugherty and the CityReaching team of Cedar Rapids is online.
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Jan. 15, 10 a.m. CDT
The next Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative will feature Jeff Sundell, founder of the 50-5-50 Network and Mike Jorgensen, VP of e3 Partners who are initiating e3 USA. Jeff also serves as the National Trainer for e3 USA. The next call will take place March 5 at 10a.m. CDT. For more info visit the Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative Facebook page or email Brian.
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Feb. 17-19, Charlotte
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January 7, 12:00 p.m. CDT
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January 7-8, Edmond, Washington
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February 3-5, Minneapolis
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Tools for Accelerating Evangelism
Free eBook for Advent
A free eBook download from Desiring God, Good News of Great Joy: Daily Readings for Advent, aims to put Jesus at the center of your holiday season. These short meditations for the month of December are excerpted from the ministry of John Piper and correspond to the daily readings in Desiring God's free devotional app, Solid Joys.
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Study the Bible with Seekers
Opening the Door: Tools for Leading an Evangelistic Bible Studycontains 21 reproducible single-page Discovery Guides, each with a Scripture passage from the gospel of Luke and eight relevant discussion questions. Each can be completed in less than an hour over lunch or coffee. It includes leader tips for preparation and how to make connections with seekers.
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New Ethnic Embrace USA 40-Day Prayer Guide Available
Ethnic Embrace USA - Blessing the Nations Among Us is a 40-day prayer resource to ignite our hearts with the passion God has for the "nations." A new print version is now available featuring 40 of the largest diaspora people groups in the USA, along with 40 devotions that unfold the story of God's mission from Genesis to Revelation, Ethnic Embrace USA is designed to both inform and inspire the reader to bless the nations God has brought to our cities and communities. A new website,www.40-Days.us also features learning resources, interactive maps, an online Bible, and more. Use Ethnic Embrace USA with your church, prayer group, life group or Bible study.
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101 Ideas for Celebrating Marriage Week in Your Community
Looking for ways you or your church can get involved in National Marriage Week USA? This guide has ideas for community outreach campaigns, family projects, individual projects, radio contests, and more.
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Outcome-Based Assessment for Evangelism
Five primary outcomes characterize a strong evangelistic movement. This free assessment tool from Cru Press Green helps a ministry evaluate outcomes and identify two or three priorities on which to focus.
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'Not Today" Available for Church Exhibition
The DVD of Not Today, a feature-length film highlighting the epidemic of human trafficking in India, is available for church movie events. Produced by Friends Media, it was released in theaters nationwide earlier this year. A church-based curriculum and companion book are also available.
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The Ultimate Life Movie Comes to DVD
The Ultimate Life movie, a sequel to The Ultimate Gift and the story of billionaire Howard "Red" Stevens, has released on DVD. The movie, and corresponding sermon and small group study, will provide your church the opportunity to talk about what the Bible says about thankfulness, generosity, contentment, relationships, life purpose, and leaving a legacy.
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Why I Joined the Mission America Coalition
"I am currently organizing an evangelical Christian group in my community to come together to pray, encourage, and support one another as we reach out to our community."
- New Member from Syracuse, New York
Editor’s Note: MAC members, we’d love to hear from you! Tell us why you are part of the Mission America Coalition or why you’d encourage others to consider involvement. Send your responses toinfo@missionamerica.org.
Mobile ministry: New York City ministry workers from Metro World Child conduct Sidewalk Sunday School with children seated on tarps and parents listening in on the lesson.
More infoFROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
You are invited to Join the Momentum! of LOVE2020 by joining us at the 2014 MAC Leadership Consultation at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. Our sessions will begin with a reception and evening session on Monday, February 17, and will conclude with an early evening session on Wednesday, February 19.
This will be one of the most important meetings we have ever had!
LOVE2020 has moved ahead so significantly this year with 31 of our affinity spheres off to a great start. We would like you to prayerfully consider being involved in one of the spheres. This meeting will offer you a number of opportunities to explore that possibility.
The momentum is building and you can join and contribute to that momentum by participating in this strategic consultation. Please save the dates of February 17 to 19.
For more information, go towww.missionamerica.org and click on theLoving America to Christ - Join the Momentum! banner on the right. Start checking flights now, before the busyness of the holiday season, and watch for an e-mail when our registration site opens. Please join the momentum of Loving America to Christ!
I look forward to sharing with you in Charlotte!
Prayerfully wishing your family and your ministry a blessed Christmas season,
Paul Cedar
Chairman
LET'S CONNECT
RESEARCH AND TRENDS
Religiously unaffiliated
people are the third-largest "religious" group worldwide, behind Christians and Muslims. Roughly one in six people around the globe, 16.3%, are religious "nones." (Huffington Post 10/22/13)
Five Facts about Atheists
In 2012, 2.4% of American adults identified as atheists, up from 1.6% in 2007. 67% are men, and 38% are 18–29 (vs. 22% of all U.S. adults). 43% have a college degree vs. 29% of the general public. 14% of those who call themselves atheists also say they believe in God or a universal spirit. 26% think of themselves as spiritual people and 3% consider themselves religious. 41% say they often think about the meaning and purpose of life. 82% say they either often (52%) or sometimes (30%) feel a deep connection with nature and the earth. Among all American adults, 85% either often (58%) or sometimes (26%) feel such a connection. (Pew Research 10/23/13)
Young Adults Who Leave the Faith
A new study found only 18% of young adults raised in homes with any measure of religious influence are now unaffiliated with a specific faith. 60% of Millennials, meanwhile, categorize themselves as "keeping faith." Of those who are unaffiliated, only 11% had a strong faith as a child and lived in a home where a vibrant faith was practiced and taught. In other words, the vast majority of young adults leaving Christianity never had a strong faith to start with. The Focus on the Family study, Millennial Faith Participation and Retention, noted, "Parents who provide a home where faith is vibrantly practiced are remarkably likely to create young adults who remain serious Christians. (Baptist Press 10/28/13)
Moving away from a biblical worldview,
only one in three young American believers affirm that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven, according to Probe Ministries’ Steve Cable. Emerging adults (18–29s) are morally adrift. Their morals are personal and subjective; they are captive to consumerism; they have little civic and political engagement; they believe physical intimacy is not a moral issue, and they engage in intoxication or fake feelings of happiness. Various surveys show only 9% of Americans hold a biblical view, and among emerging adults, it is even lower. Stats show in 1990, 11% of 18–30 year olds said they have no religion. In 2012 that number was up to 31%. Also born-agains have decreased by 22% since 1976. (Cultural Captives: The Beliefs and Behavior of American Young Adult...)
Millennials and Church
More than half of Millennials have not attended church in the last six months. Six out of 10 Christians in their 20s have dropped out of church at some point. Only one in 10 attends church because they feel a need to be a part of a community. (Barna Frames Trend #3, 10/25/13)
The Bible as Source of Meaning
An American Bible Society study found 66% of Americans agreed the Bible contains everything a person needs to know to live a meaningful life, while 58% don’t want wisdom and advice from it, and 57% read it fewer than five times per year. 21% believe the Bible is the Word of God and read it at least four times per week, while an increasing number (10% in 2011, 17% this year), believe the Bible is just another book of teachings written by men and rarely or never read it. (Christian Post 9/6/13)
More Meaningful Life
More than three-quarters of all U.S. adults say they are looking for ways to live a meaningful life. 90% of Millennials are on the lookout for resources to help them live more meaningfully. Similarly, adults who have never married (85%) and parents with kids under 18 living at home (80%) are more likely than the norm to say the same thing. 79% of practicing Christians want to know how their faith speaks to the current issues they face. Surprisingly 56% of all U.S. adults say the same. (Barna Group 10/22/13)
Traditional Christian Virtues Essential
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia stated in a recent address at the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, "While I would not argue that capitalism as an economic system is inherently more Christian than socialism ... it does seem to me that capitalism is more dependent on Christianity than socialism is...in order for capitalism to work, in order for it to produce a good and a stable society, the traditional Christian virtues are essential." Scalia went on to suggest that expanding government involvement in charity came at the expense of the power of Christian churches. (Huffington Post 9/9/13)
Blending Faith and Technology
70% of practicing Christian Millennials read Scripture on a screen vs. 34% of all Millennials. 54% of practicing Christian Millennials and 31% of all Millennials use online videos pertaining to faith. 56% of Christian Millennials use online search to scope out a church, temple or synagogue online vs. 34% of all Millennials. 59% of Millennial Christians search for spiritual content online vs. 30% of all Millennials. (Barna: Millennials 10/15/13)
Jewish Christians
62% of Jewish Americans say Jewishness is largely about culture or ancestry, and just 15% said it’s about religious belief. The Pew survey also found 34% of Jews say it’s OK to see Jesus as the Messiah and still call themselves Jewish. They are not saying Judaism can allow belief in Jesus. They are saying if you are born a Jew, reared as Jewish and convert to Christianity, I still consider you a Jew. (RNS 10/1/13)
Practicing Catholics
77% of Catholics are proud to be Catholic but only 55% say they are practicing their faith, finds a Georgetown Univ. study. Yet, only half of Millennial Catholics share this pride. 68% say they can be good Catholics without going to weekly mass. Just 43% look to the pope and bishops when they make moral choices. (RNS 10/1/13)
Christian Majority
There are 157 Christian-majority countries. Four out of six regions of the world have Christians in the majority (Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, Europe and sub-Saharan Africa). Christians are in the minority only in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East-North Africa region. (Huffington Post 10/22/13)
COLLABORATION CALENDAR
Submit your events and activities that are open for participation from the whole Church by email toinfo@missionamerica.org.
View Online Collaboration Calendar
Conference Calls & Webinars
MAC - Prayer Evangelism - Intercession for the Harvest
Wednesdays at 12:00 pm CDT
(641)715-3300 / passcode 416432#
MAC Cityreaching Conference Call
Dec. 19, 10:00 a.m. CDT
(712) 432-0075 / passcode 9310472#
'Meet the Need’ Webinar
Jan. 7, 12:00 p.m. CDT
Call is scheduled for January 15th, 10am Central. Information concerning the call:
[Facebook or email Brian Considine (brian@missionamerica.org)
Events
Mom's Day of Prayer
Jan. 18, Worldwide
Desiring God 2014 Conference for Pastors
Feb.3-5, Minneapolis
National Marriage Week USA
Feb.7-14, Nationwide
MAC 2014 Leadership Consultation
Feb.17-19, Charlotte, N.C.
Collegiate Day of Prayer
Feb. 27, Nationwide
Global 4/14 Day of Prayer
Apr. 14, Worldwide
iSpectra Global Conference
Apr. 24-26, 2014, San Francisco Bay Area
Exponential 2014 Church Planters Conference East
Apr. 28-May 1, Orlando, Fla.
National Day of Prayer
May 1, Nationwide
Internet Evangelism Day
June 1, Worldwide
Global Outreach Day
June 14, Worldwide
Exponential 2014 Church Planters Conference West
Oct. 6-9 Los Angeles
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JANUARY 2014
Collaboration Calendar | Commentary Spotlight | Evangelism News | From the Chairman | Let's Connect | Linking Leaders |Research and Trends | Tools for Accelerating Evangelism
January Highlights
EVANGELISM NEWS
February 17-19, Charlotte
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January 10-12, Nationwide
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Jan. 18, Worldwide
"Sincere and honest prayers over the lives of our children is the only proof that we are not trying to do this mom-thing in our own strength!" - Treva Super
"There are so many children in this world with no one praying for them... I have personally seen the results of answered prayer from sharing my requests through MDOP." - Becky Denton
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February 7-14, Nationwide
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June 14, Worldwide
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Commentary Spotlight
Linking Leaders
These and many other events hosted by, or of interest to, MAC partners are listed in our online calendar.
View calendar now!
Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. CDT
The Mission America Coalition prayer team invites participants to join the weekly prayer teleconference, Intercession for the Harvest, every Wednesday at noon CDT. Call (641)715-3300 and enter code 416432# when prompted.
January 15, 10:00 a.m. CDT
This month's cityreaching conference call will be held one day early - Wednesday, January 15 - to join MAC's Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative National Online Meeting.
Jeff Sundell, founder of www.50-5-50Network.org and Mike Jorgensen, vice president of e3 Partners, will be discuss how cities are mobilizing for disciple-making using T4T principles. Exciting things are happening in cities as movements of reproducible discipleship take shape. Access this meeting online at http://missionamerica.adobeconnect.com/diaspora/.
Invite others to come - no pre-registration is required. Simply go to the URL above at the time of the meeting. For more info visit the Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative Facebook page or email Brian (Brian@missionamerica.org).
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February 25-26, Jackson, Miss.
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March 27-28, 2014 - Asheboro, N.C.
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April 24-26, San Francisco Bay Area
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April 27-May 2, Chicago
May 4-9, New Orleans
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Tools for Accelerating Evangelism
Pocket Proxes: Portable Conversation Starters
Pocket Proxes are handheld versions of InterVarsity's Proxe Stations, which are interactive displays that engage people in gospel conversations. Users can order a bundle of glossy cards from Intervarsity and download an accompanying script that teaches how to present the tool and begin a conversation that leads naturally to an invitation to respond to the gospel. One user described the Pocket Proxe as "a great springboard to get into spiritual conversations with strangers."
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40 Days of Prayer
The booklet Seek God for the City 2014 produced by Waymakers is a tool to unite Christians in persistent prayer for spiritual awakening in the 40 days leading up to Palm Sunday, Mar. 5 - Apr. 13. A companion app is also available. Pastors, mission leaders, and prayer leaders may call (800) 264-5214 for a complimentary review copy. Bulk pricing discounts are available.
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'The Story' Church-Wide Experience
"The Story" DVD series is a Bible engagement curriculum for people of all ages, and helps participants see how their stories intersect with the Bible. This chronological look at scripture is based on a book by the same title from Pastor Randy Frazee of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. What do participants say about the 31-lesson series? Mark Johnson, Pastor of Tapestry Fellowship and Executive Director of City First Foundation says his church is using the material "for growth, evangelism, and reading together in small groups. Awesome tool!"
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Prayer Coaching Offered for Pastors
Project Pray offers pastors six weeks of free prayer coaching through online meetings. Pastors gather in groups of 12 for brief sessions that focus on personal prayer, prayer models and concepts, and learning to pray by praying. If you are interested in prayer coaching for your team, email Doug Small(dougsmall@projectpray.org) or call 855-842-5483.
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Discipleship Training for Church Planters
Discipleship in Church Planting, a free eBook by J.D. Payne, provides guidelines for church planters to establish healthy approaches for teaching new believers to obey all that Jesus commanded.
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Operation World, a Guide to Pray for the Nations
Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation, revised by Jason Mandryk, is the global prayer guide that will help focus your heart and life towards God's passion for His glory among all nations. The guide features all the countries of the world with maps of each country, geographic information, people groups, economic and political information, and religious make-up of each country. Includes daily prayer calendar. It also includes human trafficking and persecution figures, global hot spots, trends, and more. The 1000-page print book is also available in electronic form, which includes 10,000-plus media items licensed for reuse. The guide is useful as a prayer calendar, a tool for preparing for a mission trip, or a means of increasing awareness of people groups worldwide.
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Ministering to Women with a Message of Grace
Sanctity of Human Life Sunday provides churches with an opportunity to consider how to reach out to women seeking emotional healing after an abortion. In My Baby's Feet, author Sheila M. Luck walks through her journey from shame and guilt to forgiveness and a solid relationship with Jesus Christ. The resource can help ministry leaders understand how a woman might feel and better minister to her needs.
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Why I Joined the Mission America Coalition
"God has called me to become a missionary and build a team of Care Prayer Share ministers into our area 24/7."
- New Member from Bellevue, WA
Editor's Note: MAC members, we'd love to hear from you! Tell us why you are part of the Mission America Coalition or why you'd encourage others to consider involvement. Send your responses to info@missionamerica.org.
Inspired by Love Our Cities initiatives in Oregon and California, LoveCaldwell (Caldwell, Idaho) serves the community with many projects, including a free neighborhood supper of homemade soup, bread, and specialty coffee once a month.
More infoFROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
A blessed new year! As we reflect on the past year, we have so much for which to be thankful. The Lord has been so gracious to us and the various ministries of the Mission America Coalition.
We give Him special thanks for the significant advancement of the LOVE2020 initiative. The momentum continues to grow and expand. We are looking forward to sharing together in mid February for an important gathering of our LOVE2020 conveners along with members of our Mission America Coalition for our annual Leadership Consultation: Loving America to Christ. You are invited to join us for this strategic meeting.
Registration is now open. We will be meeting at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC, God willing. Our sessions are scheduled to begin with a reception and evening session on Monday, Feb. 17, and will conclude with an early evening session on Wednesday, Feb. 19.
For more details of our consultation and information on how you can register, go towww.missionamerica.org and select Loving America to Christ. Please prayerfully review the details of the meeting and then prayerfully considering joining with us.
It would be a joy to share with you in Charlotte!
Prayerfully and expectantly,
Paul Cedar
Chairman
LET'S CONNECT
RESEARCH AND TRENDS
A Nation in Moral Decline
32% of Americans believe the nation is in moral decline because adults are not reading and consulting Scripture. 29% believe the nation is in moral decline because of the negative influence of the media. 25% attribute corruption from corporate greed. (Barna Group and Focus on the Family-Thriving Pastor-Pulse Check 12/...)
Bible Engagement in the US
Lifeway Research about Bible engagement in North America finds 66% of Canadian churchgoers agree with the statement, "I desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do." However, 34% say they rarely or never read the Bible outside of church. Only 11% read it daily and 27% a few times a week or once a month. Only 3% do daily in-depth Bible study. 53% rarely or never study the Bible. 62% disagree with the statement, "If I go several days without reading the Bible, I find myself unfulfilled." When six other factors are present, individuals have higher levels of Bible engagement: 1) Confess wrongdoings to God and ask forgiveness. 2) Believe in Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven. 3) Make a decision to obey or follow God, knowing it might be costly. 4) Pray for people they know are not professing Christians. 5) Read a book about increasing their spiritual growth. 6) Have a one-on-one mentoring relationship with a spiritually mature Christian. There is a strong correlation between engaging the Bible and living accordance to the Scriptures.(CT's The Exchange 11/20/13)
Great Commission Being Fulfilled
How Religious?According to Open Doors, 40 years ago there were only 200 Muslim converts to Christianity in Iran. Today, they estimate it is 370,000. Similar growth is occurring in the Asian subcontinent, sub-Saharan Africa and regions of the Middle East. Tragically, persecution is a sign the Great Commission is being fulfilled. (LifeSite News 12/4/13)
69% of Americans are either very religious (40%) or moderately religious (29%), according to a 2012 December Gallup Poll, with 31% being nonreligious. (Gallup 12/04/12)
Chinese Religiously Unaffiliated
The number of religiously unaffiliated people in China is more than twice the U.S. total population. About 700 million Chinese residents do not identify with a specific religious group.(Huffington Post 10/22/13)
Asian Americans Growing
Fueled both by immigration and birth rates, Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the U.S. With a population of 18.9 million in 2012, they are projected to reach over 40.6 million by 2050. That will increase their proportion of the total population from 5% to 9%. Asian Americans consist of more than 34 ethnicities, each with vastly different backgrounds of languages, cultures, nationalities, time of immigration and more. 83% are in these top six ethnicities: Chinese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Vietnamese, Korean or Japanese. (CT's The Exchange 11/7/13)
R-rated Movies Damaging to Faith
Young people who watch R-rated movies are more likely to have decreased church attendance and to consider their faith less important, finds a recent Baylor Univ. study. "Viewing R-rated movies was damaging to religious faith even after accounting for the importance of religion in one's family, peer influence and parental monitoring of media, among other factors," said researcher Phil Davignon. However, watching the movies didn't affect whether or not young people have doubts about their faith or whether they thought it was acceptable to choose parts of the faith to believe without accepting the whole.(Review of Religious Research 6/13)
Most People Are Part of Religious Majorities
Hispanic ExodusNearly 3/4 of the world's people live in countries where their group is a religious majority of the population. (Huffington Post 10/22/13)
Today 69% of Hispanic Americans were raised Catholic, but only 53% have remained so. 31% who left Catholicism became evangelicals, 22% Mainline Christians, 13% other and 34% are unaffiliated. (CT 12/13)
Hindus Geographically Concentrated
97% of the world's Hindus live in only three countries: India, Mauritius and Nepal.(Huffington Post 10/22/13)
Alternative Punishment for Nonviolent Crimes
American evangelical leaders overwhelmingly support alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders, according to the November Evangelical Leaders Survey. Only two percent of respondents do not support alternative measures. Evangelicals have a particular concern for those in prison as they are mentioned specifically by Jesus when telling his followers to care for the "least of these." This concern was reflected in the June Evangelical Leaders Survey that showed nearly all evangelical leaders have visited a prison, many of whom did so in a ministry context. Through relationships formed in ministry, evangelicals have seen the negative effects imprisonment often has on prisoners and their families. (National Association of Evangelicals, 12/10/13)
Prayer Helps People Cope
A Saarland Univ. and the Univ. of Mannheim in Germany study shows prayer helps people stay in control of their emotions and behavior. Those who pray when their lives become demanding find themselves better able to cope with temptation and control their emotions. (Church Leaders 12/6/13)
Religious Practice
is associated with higher levels of economic well-being and academic performance as well as reductions in the incidence of crime, delinquency, drug and alcohol addiction and problems related to physical and emotional health. (LifeSite News 11/15/13)
Saturated Media Culture
New research from author and psychologist Catherine Steiner-Adair finds many teens are turning to Internet videos to educate themselves on physical relationships, dating and gender stereotypes. Without parents monitoring their children's online viewing, Internet access provides them with content that can be confusing, and graphic images that can create a false understanding of appropriate intimate behavior. This encourages teens in particular to behave in a way online they never would in face-to-face interactions. (The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age by Catherine Steiner-Adair, Harper 2013)
76 Seconds to Communicate
According to LivePerson, today's consumers want access to information and support instantly, and if they don't find what they need quickly, they will look for it somewhere else. The study finds that, on average, consumers won't wait more than 76 seconds if they need help during their online session. 58% are frustrated by poor quality service online. 49% continue to find websites difficult to navigate with 33% struggling to seek help or locate customer service. (Center for Media Research Brief 11/26/13)
More Info Faster
Millions of Americans feel having too much information actually limits their ability to simply make a choice. When it comes to books, 35% of adults say while they enjoy reading, they feel most books are too long. Men (41%) are notably more likely than women (28%) to feel this way. Only 27% of Elders say most books feel too long, while 30% of Boomers and 31% of Busters likewise agree. Among Millennials, 49% say most books are too long for them to enjoy, yet 76% want to keep up with current trends. The research shows while people want to "stay up to speed," they want their information to be compact. This doesn't mean they don't want substance; it more likely means they want to get to the substance faster. (Barna Group 10/22/13)
Megachurch Stats
Five million people worship in a U.S. megachurch on a typical weekend. Currently there are 1,650 megachurches in the U.S. While almost 10% of Protestant churchgoers attend a megachurch, they represent only 0.5% of the roughly 320,000 U.S. Protestant churches. While many are nondenominational, most Protestant denominations have at least one megachurch. 21% were founded in the last 20 years. 22% were founded by their current lead pastor. 79% of current megachurch pastors led their congregation through its most dramatic growth era. The median age of today's megachurch lead pastor is 55 (5% are under 40 and 18% are under 45). (Leadership Network 12/13/13)
COLLABORATION CALENDAR
Submit your events and activities that are open for participation from the whole Church by email toinfo@missionamerica.org.
We've put our Collaboration Calendar online! Checkhere for events and activities that are open for participation to the whole Church.
View Online Collaboration Calendar
Conference Calls & Webinars
MAC - Prayer Evangelism - Intercession for the Harvest
Wednesdays at 12:00 pm CDT
(641)715-3300 / passcode 416432#
MAC Cityreaching Conference Call
Dec. 19, 10:00 a.m. CDT
(712) 432-0075 / passcode 9310472#
'Meet the Need' Webinar
Jan. 7, 12:00 p.m. CDT
Call is scheduled for January 15th, 10am Central. Information concerning the call:
Facebook or email Brian Considine (brian@missionamerica.org)
Events
Mom's Day of Prayer
Jan. 18, Worldwide
Desiring God 2014 Conference for Pastors
Feb.3-5, Minneapolis
National Marriage Week USA
Feb.7-14, Nationwide
MAC 2014 Leadership Consultation
Feb.17-19, Charlotte, N.C.
Collegiate Day of Prayer
Feb. 27, Nationwide
Global 4/14 Day of Prayer
Apr. 14, Worldwide
iSpectra Global Conference
Apr. 24-26, 2014, San Francisco Bay Area
Exponential 2014 Church Planters Conference East
Apr. 28-May 1, Orlando, Fla.
National Day of Prayer
May 1, Nationwide
Internet Evangelism Day
June 1, Worldwide
Global Outreach Day
June 14, Worldwide
Exponential 2014 Church Planters Conference West
Oct. 6-9 Los Angeles
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FEBRUARY 2014
Collaboration Calendar | Commentary Spotlight | Evangelism News | From the Chairman | Let's Connect | Linking Leaders |Research and Trends | Tools for Accelerating Evangelism | Why I Joined the Mission America Coalition
February Highlights
EVANGELISM NEWS
February 17-19, Charlotte
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April 14, Worldwide
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Commentary Spotlight
Linking Leaders
These and many other events hosted by, or of interest to, MAC partners are listed in our online calendar.
View calendar now!
Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. CDT
The Mission America Coalition prayer team invites participants to join the weekly prayer teleconference , Intercession for the Harvest, every Wednesday at noon CDT. Call (641)715-3300 and enter code 416432# when prompted.
February 20, 10:00 a.m. CDT
A Cityreaching conference call is held the third Thursday of every month. The next call is Feb. 20 with the theme "Celebration of CityReaching" covering the past 17 years with some of the people and efforts that have benefited from MAC City/Community Ministries. To join the call, dial (712) 432-0075, and enter code 9310472# when prompted. If you missed the January call on disciple-making, the recording of Jeff Sundell, founder of the 50-5-50 Network, and Mike Jorgensen, Vice President of e3 Partners is online.
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A Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative conference call is held on the first Wednesday of every other month. The next Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative call will take place March 5 at 10a.m. CDT. For more info visit the Cityreaching Diaspora Initiative Facebook page or email Brian.
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Apr. 28-May 1, 2014, Orlando, Fla
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April 27-May 2, Chicago
May 4-9, New Orleans
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September 25-27, Atlanta
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Tools for Accelerating Evangelism
Big Story App from Intervarsity
The Big Story gospel presentation app, created by InterVarsity, is a creative way to share the gospel from your smartphone or tablet. Based on material from True Story by James Choung, this free app helps you illustrate the main points of the gospel message by drawing four "worlds" on your screen. Suggested dialogue and scripture references are included for each world to help you explain the gospel as you draw. The opportunity to make a commitment to Jesus Christ is presented at the end with a suggested prayer.
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Present the Gospel without Christianese
Christians routinely use words like "sin," "salvation," "fellowship," "sanctification," and "the gospel" without realizing these phrases can leave their friends confused or even repelled. Learn how to translate Christianese into everyday terms that people may understand when you start conversations with friends and neighbors.
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Learn to be Intentional about Sharing
Learn how to be missional in your workplace and community, and learn skills for making and multiplying disciples in the free eBook from the Verge Network, Simple Ways to be Missional.
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Sharing the Gospel in a Relational Way
This training video from Cru is a helpful tool for anyone wanting to learn one method of sharing the gospel in a relational way. Cru staff and students talk about how they start evangelistic conversations that include sharing a gospel booklet.
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Seek God for the City Prayer App
Pray for others in your community during the forty days before Palm Sunday, March 5 to April 13 with an app from Seek God for the City. It includes the same prayers as the printed version, one for each of 40 days. With the app, users can set reminders to help them remember to pray at the times and days they choose. They can mark favorite prayers, search for a prayer with a specific word, phrase, or scripture and use the app to walk through a neighborhood as they pray. The app allows users to pray for countries of the world by name and find country-specific prayer needs on the Operation world website.
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What Can You Do to Fight Human Trafficking?
Moody Publishers and Moody Radio provide resources to help you stop modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Through a series of conversations with ministry leaders and workers with firsthand experience and through print resources, Moody's "Free Them Today" resources call attention to the global crisis, provide information on how to pray for victims, and show Christians how to take action in caring for victims.
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Discussion Guide for '12 Years a Slave' Film
12 Years a Slave, a film based on the 1853 autobiography of Solomon Northup, tells the violently tragic, but ultimately redemptive, tale of a black man kidnapped and sold into slavery. Although the film's R rating excludes it from being family friendly, the topics addressed provide a foundation for adult group discussion and personal action. Two shorter films built of clips from 12 Years a Slave and interviews with the director and stars will stimulate discussion about human nature and provide an opportunity to consider how a simple act on our part might be something transformational for others. A discussion guide pulls spiritual themes from the movie for small group interaction.
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Why I Joined the Mission America Coalition
"I have a burden to plant a multi-ethnic church and launch it Oct. 2014. I picked up your book on Lighthouse Movement which listed this website so I wanted to be part of this vision!"
- New Member from Burnsville, MN
"We want to mirror the efforts of Love2020 for our entire city."
- New Member from Jacksonville, FL
"It supports and is at the heart of what I do."
- New Member from Greensboro, NC
"Ideas to reach my community for Christ"
- New Member from Sanger, CA
"We are working to raise up the next generation of international students to return home to their countries as missionary and Christian leaders. Our goal; to fulfill Matthew 24:14"
New Member from Charlottesville, VA
"I train leaders internationally to develop diciplemaking movements. I regularly travel into India and Central Asia."
- New Member from Towson, MD
"I would like to learn from other groups and allow them to know of our ministry"
- New Member from Jackson Heights, NY
"To evangelize every nation on earth together."
- New Member from San Bernardino, CA
"Our goal is to put prayer and Bible study back in schools...We are also developing our international ministry and building up Youth Commission clubs in Africa and other targeted areas..."
- New Member from Indian Trail, NC
"We are already partnering with Mission America."
- New Member from Sammamish, WA
Editor's Note: MAC members, we'd love to hear from you! Tell us why you are part of the Mission America Coalition or why you'd encourage others to consider involvement. Send your responses to info@missionamerica.org.
Women gather in Gonzalez, La. to pray at one of many U.S. sites for the Mom's Day of Prayer global event in January.
More infoFROM THE CHAIRMAN
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As the Apostle Paul began his letter of love to the Philippian Church, he wrote, I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of yourpartnership in the Gospel...
That is what the Mission America Coalition is all about. We are involved in a partnership in the Gospel. Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and with the empowering of the Holy Spirit, we are committed to partner together to advance the Gospel of Christ in every possible way to every possible person in the U.S. and beyond.
As Paul was praying for the Philippian believers in their partnership in the gospel, we should be praying for one another and for the advancement of the gospel. During the month of February, We have special opportunities to pray and partner together. I would ask for your special prayers for the following.
Let's be praying and advancing together,
Paul Cedar
Chairman
LET'S CONNECT
RESEARCH AND TRENDS
Making Church Irresistible
There are four acts of love that will make a church irresistible according to Thom and Joani Schultz. They are 1) Radical hospitality, 2) Fearless conversation, 3) Genuine humility and 4) Divine anticipation. (Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore, Thom and Joani Schultz, G...)
Evangelism Economics
Barna Group research data show low-income individuals are the most likely out of any income bracket to actively share their faith. 57% adults from low-income households have evangelized within the past 12 months. This compares with 52% of upper income adults and 37% of middle income adults. (Barna Group 12/18/13)
Evangelism Theory vs. Practice
When asked if they have a personal responsibility to share their faith with others, 73% of born-again Christians said yes. Yet, only 52% of born-again Christians actually did share the Gospel at least once this past year. 31% of evangelicals believe they should evangelize but have not done so within the past year. (Barna Group 12/18/13)
Evangelism Increasine in Millennials,
Contrary to popular belief, Millenials are the only U.S. generation among whom evangelism is significantly on the rise. Their faith-sharing practices have escalated from 56% in 2010 to 65% in 2013. Not only that, but born-again Millennials share their faith more than any other generation today. 65% have presented the Gospel to another within the past year compared with 52% of all U.S. born-again Christians.(Barna Group 12/18/13)
Attracting Millennials
The latest Faith Community Report found only 16% U.S. congregations have significant young adult participation (at least 20% of adults ages 18–34). Beyond electric guitars and projectors, the three most correlating factors are 1) Men: Young adults are twice as likely to become involved if women comprise 25% or less of the congregation. 2) Instability: Churches experiencing rapid growth or rapid decline (plus or minus 10% over the past decade) are twice as likely to have high young people involvement as those changing slowly. 3) Multiple Pastors: Young people are twice as likely to attend a church with multiple full-time leaders as with a traditional solo pastor. (CT Gleanings 1/8/14)
Digital Bible Use
YouVersion has released its year-end analysis of how its millions of users engaged the Bible this past year. Users shared 68 million Bible verses in 2013 via the popular Bible app. The Bible verse that was "bookmarked, highlighted, and shared...more than any other" in 2013 is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Rounding out the top five: Isaiah 40:31, Matthew 6:13, Joshua 1:9, and Philippians 4:6. The Bible's most-read chapter was Romans 8 followed by Romans 12, Matthew 5, 1 John 4, and Hebrews 12. (CT Gleanings 12/30/13)
The Most Bible-Minded Cities
Tennessee is the home of America's most Bible-minded city for the second consecutive year, according to new rankings from the American Bible Society. The top 10 cities are 1) Chattanooga, Tenn. 2) Birmingham, Ala. 3) Roanoke/Lynchburg, Va. 4) Springfield, Mo. 5) Shreveport, La. 6) Charlotte, N.C. 7) Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C./Asheville N.C. 8) Little Rock, Ark. 9) Jackson, Miss. 10) Knoxville, Tenn. (Christian Post 1/23/14)
Too Much Talk about Race?
More evangelicals and Catholics (black and white) have come to believe "one of the most effective ways to improve race relations is to stop talking about race." In 2012, 64% of evangelicals and 59% of Catholics agreed with this statement vs. 48% and 44% respectively in 2006. 30% of all evangelicals agree "it is okay for the races to be separate, as long as they have equal opportunity." In 2012, 30% of all evangelicals agreed vs. 19% in 2006. By comparison, 30% of black Protestants agreed with the idea in 2012, as did 24% of mainline Protestants, 20% of Catholics and 24% of "other" Protestants. In 2012, 41% of black evangelicals said they think about their race daily, up from 36% in 2006. Meanwhile, 13% of white evangelicals said the same in 2012 (vs. 11% in 2006). 48% of all blacks and 10% of all whites said the same in 2012 (vs. 42% and 10%, respectively, in 2006). (CT Gleanings 12/23/13)
Thoughts on Evolution
Christian Themed Movies PopularThe December Pew Research Religion & Public Life Project report found 33% of Americans think "humans and other living things have existed in their present form since the beginning of time." 60% say humans have evolved over time. Among those who agree with human evolution, about half attribute it to "natural processes such as natural selection." 24% of adults say "a supreme being guided the evolution of living things." Among white evangelical Protestants, 64% say humans have existed in their present form since the beginning of time. Half of black Protestants responded the same way. Whereas 78% of white mainline Protestants say humans and other living things have evolved over time. 76% of the religiously unaffiliated, 68% of white non-Hispanic Catholics and 53% of Hispanic Catholics agreed with evolution. (USA Today 12/31/13)
Two long-term Movieguide studies show movies with strong Christian, redemptive content make the most money by far. A 10-year study of all the major movies released by Hollywood and the major independent studios found movies with very strong Christian worldviews averaged $73.27 million at the box office vs. movies with very strong non-Christian worldviews averaged only $21.01 million. A five-year study found an even wider spread, $82.97 million vs. $21.84 million respectively. "It pays to put Christian, faith-friendly content in your blockbuster movies and television programs," states Dr. Ted Baehr, founder and publisher of Movieguide.(Movieguide 1/3/14)
People & Transitions:
- Roy Peterson has been named the new president of the American Bible Society.
- Chris Tomlin is the most-sung music artist in history.
- World Relief Minnesota has changed its name to Arrive Ministries.
Fast Facts:News and Trends information compiled and edited by Gary Foster, President of Gary D Foster Consulting, a firm that assists Christian ministries and product companies in solving management, marketing, donor/customer service and product development problems. Contact Gary at: 419.238.4082,GFosterCns@rmi.net or go towww.GaryDFoster.com.
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