Interesting study at Christianity Today:
Christianity Today International (publisher of Leadership) recently partnered with Zondervan Publishers to commission Knowledge Networks to conduct attitudinal and behavioral research of U.S. Christians. In September 2006, more than 1,000 self-identified Christians 18 years of age and older were surveyed on their religious beliefs and practices. The results reveal a number of significant differences, illustrated by the examples of Hua and Smith. In fact, portraits of five distinct segments emerged from the study. We have named them Active, Professing, Liturgical, Private, and Cultural Christians.
Active Christians 19%
•Believe salvation comes through Jesus Christ
•Committed churchgoers
•Bible readers
•Accept leadership positions
•Invest in personal faith development through the church
•Feel obligated to share faith; 79% do so.
Professing Christians 20%
•Believe salvation comes through Jesus Christ
•Focus on personal relationship with God and Jesus
•Similar beliefs to Active Christians, different actions
•Less involved in church, both attending and serving
•Less commitment to Bible reading or sharing faith
Liturgical Christians 16%
•Predominantly Catholic and Lutheran
•Regular churchgoers
•High level of spiritual activity, mostly expressed by serving in church and/or community
•Recognize authority of the church
Private Christians 24%
•Largest and youngest segment
•Believe in God and doing good things
•Own a Bible, but don’t read it
•Spiritual interest, but not within church context
•Only about a third attend church at all
•Almost none are church leaders
Cultural Christians 21%
•Little outward religious behavior or attitudes
•God aware, but little personal involvement with God
•Do not view Jesus as essential to salvation
•Affirm many ways to God
•Favor universality theology
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November 12, 2007 at 10:56
Amazing. When God’s intention was simply to make Christians, not (insert adjective here) Christians
November 12, 2007 at 11:42
These results almost parallel the parable of the soil that Jesus gave about people’s response to the gospel.
November 12, 2007 at 15:34
Darn it, us liturigals are in the minority!
November 12, 2007 at 17:16
Is it just me or is the Cultural Christians 21% category misnamed. How can one be called Christian if they do not believe faith in Christ is essential to salvation. Shouldn’t we just call this group of 21% surveyed as “the world”? just a thought.
November 12, 2007 at 18:13
Who came up with the definition of an “active” Christian, and on what basis were the defining characteristics chosen?
November 13, 2007 at 01:25
Yes, I’m a bit confused with “active” and “professing”. I’m a professed Christian but due to rampant issues with the church here I’m really not “active” in a church. But I’m still active in The Church and a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Seems a bit biased in my opinion.
I think Cultural “Christian” would be more appropriate. Christian means “little Christ”
Christ was none of the things listed and in fact spoke against such things. It’d be like me calling myself a Boy Scout yet not having a uniform, never participated in Boy Scouts, nor holds to their ideals. I can call myself a Boyscout ‘til I’m blue in the face but it still doesn’t make me a boy scout.
November 13, 2007 at 08:30
I sincerely wonder if more than 19% of churches are pastored by expositors of the Holy Bible, both Testaments. All 66 books ought to be taught. We have a lot of malnourished saints in and outside of the churches.
God has always kept human witnesses for himself here on earth. He made the earth for mankind. And He sent his Son, as the perfect man, to die for our sins.
Whatever is going on, believers have a responsibility in it. The witnesses aren’t doing a very good job. That’s why we have an endless stream of gimmicks and worldly methods in our churches. The most popular philosophy in evangelism seems to be, “lets act like the world and they will feel welcome to join us”. That doesn’t seem to be working. I don’t think it is God’s method.
November 14, 2007 at 06:49
I would assume that you are putting these people in to these so called catagories because the profess to be Chrisitians, not because they are Christians. You either are or you are not.
Assuming this, how about selective christians?
Those who do not want to obey the full truth.
Believe – confess – repent – be baptized and live a life of faith.
Sective would include those who:
Just say this prayer and you will be a christian
nothing further is required.
November 14, 2007 at 14:18
Another category:
CompuChristians
...Know a little Hebrew but well-versed in Geek
...Focus on “Blogging” instead of “belonging”
...Definitely into their Halos
...Try to avoid divisive TIFFs
...Have those Firewalls up – always
...Occasionally known to shout “Yahoo!”
November 15, 2007 at 10:56
I believe there are no grey ‘areas ‘in being a christian; neither do we have ‘middle of the road’ christians.If you believe in Jesus Christ, you practice his teachings. thanks ,robert
November 26, 2007 at 04:53
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