The Second Coming of the Church

by George Barna

In this "blueprint for survival," Christian sociologist George Barna evaluates the moral and spiritual decline of society and the corresponding stagnation within the Church. Using hard data, Barna unveils the status quo and argues convincingly that the Church must re-invent itself or face virtual oblivion by the mid-21st century.

Genres: Church, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Christian

Hardcover

First published April 10, 1998

About the author

George Barna was raised and educated on the East Coast before moving to California in the early 1980s. He held executive positions in advertising, public policy, political campaigns, and media/marketing research before beginning his own company, the Barna Research Group (now The Barna Group), in 1984. The firm analyzes American culture and creates resources and experiences designed to facilitate moral and spiritual transformation. Located in Ventura, California, The Barna Group provides primary research as well as developmental resources and analytic diagnostics. The company has served several hundred parachurch ministries and thousands of Christian churches throughout the country. It has also supplied research to for-profit corporations such as Ford Motor Company, The Walt Disney Company, Visa USA, and Prudential, and has assisted the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army as well.

To date, George Barna has written more than 40 books, predominantly in the areas of leadership, trends, spiritual development, and church health. Included among them are bestsellers such as Revolution, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, The Frog in the Kettle, The Power of Vision, and Pagan Christianity? Several of his books have received national awards. He has also written for numerous periodicals and has published various syndicated reports on topics related to faith and lifestyle. He also writes a bimonthly research report, The Barna Update, which is accessed by hundreds of thousands of people through his firm's Web site (www.barna.org). His work is frequently cited as an authoritative source by the media. He has been hailed as "the most quoted person in the Christian church today" and is counted among its most influential leaders. In 2009, George initiated Metaformation, a new organization designed to help people maximize their potential. More information about his current projects is available from www.georgebarna.com.

Barna is a popular speaker at ministry conferences around the world and has taught at several universities and seminaries. He has served as a pastor of a large multiethnic church, has been involved in several church plants, and currently leads an organic church. He has served on the board of directors of various organizations. After graduating summa cum laude from Boston College, Barna earned two master's degrees from Rutgers University. At Rutgers, he was awarded the Eagleton Fellowship. He also received a doctorate from Dallas Baptist University. He lives with his wife and their three daughters in Southern California. He enjoys spending time with his family, writing, reading novels, playing and listening to guitar, relaxing on the beach, visiting bookstores, and eating pizza.

Reviews

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this look at the church and these favorite quotes:
It is an urgent plea for people of God to stop dabbling in religion and to grow in spiritual maturity.
How Christian Leaders and Christian Teachers Differ:
How Leaders Operate vs How Teachers Operate
Influence via vision and character vs Influence via ideas and words
Provide direction and motivation vs Provide intellectual challenge
Seek corporate transformation vs Seek individual growth
Love to strategize vs Love to study
Need a core of committed zealots vs Need a teachable audience
Know when to make unpopular decisions vs Teach the truth, even when unpopular
Motivate people to action vs Motivate people to think
Resolve conflict vs Stir up conflict
In fact, we have discovered that the younger the adult, the less interested they are in a smooth presentation. Excellence and professionalism are "performance strategies" that appeal to the late Builders and early Boomers. Among the Busters, however, the keys are relevance, genuineness and authenticity. They are more interested in experiencing a sincere and honest presentation that raises meaningful questions than a polished speech that provides all the answers. Preachers who address the audience without constant reference to notes, and those who do not "hide" behind a pulpit, also seem to generate a more positive response from their listeners.
The future of the Church in America depends largely upon the spiritual commitment of families.
Someday God will ask you to give an account for your time on earth. What report of your commitment to practical, holy, life-transforming service will you be able to give Him?

[Buddy Draper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half to two-thirds of this book really gripped me as Barna talked about research done that shows that the Church in America is highly ineffective and there is very little difference between Xns and non-Xns in matters of behavior. His argument for a Biblical worldview is compelling and hard to argue against.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review at http://www.BillDahl.net or http://www.ThePorpoiseDivingLife.com

[Parcsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book by George Barna. Definitely good.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up to review the symptoms afflicting the church, and perhaps to learn of the cure suggested. This is pleasant reading, tho not addictive. I got what I wanted. Bye, bye.