The Barna group recently conducted a survey of Non-Christians between the ages of 16-29 on how they viewed evangelical Christians¹. The results reflected much of what was seen in this video. Among other things we are seen as:

Judgmental – 87%
Hypocritical – 85%
Old-Fashioned – 78%
Out of touch with reality – 72%
Insensitive to others – 70%
Boring – 68%
Confusing – 61%

From a business perspective this is a public relations nightmare. From the perspective of representing Christ to our culture this must grieve the heart of God. In the last several decades, the American church seems to have failed at engaging culture in such a way that draws people into trusting relationships with Christ.

Many in the church have adopted an “Us against Them” mentality and approach discussions with others in an attempt to win an argument rather than seeking to understand. And while many of us genuinely care about the people around us, when they think of the church they see us as people who are against more things than we are for. When it comes to things like movies, politics, and social issues we come across as condemning, reactionary and out of touch.

Of course there are things in our culture which should concern us. We live in a culture saturated with sexualized media, violent video games, and access to all kinds of craziness online. There is moral failure among leaders, poverty and financial irresponsibility. We need to be involved in our culture because there are many problems—financially, socially and personally—that we have solid answers for.

So how do we engage culture graciously yet without condoning these we believe are wrong? How do we determine what our kids watch on TV without alienating them from their peer groups? How do we lovingly bring the gospel to others in such a way that we can change the perspective of the church? In other words, how do we enter the lives of others and reflect the image of Christ in us?

The above text in the intro to a sermon I recently deliverd at Open Door Fellowship Church in Phoenix.

Listen to the sermon here:

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~Travis Stewart