I have been working through George Barna’s latest book Revolution for the last few weeks or so. I have probably given the book more time than it required but I have really be chewing on it and intentionally taking my sweet time reading and re-reading it. Barna argues that the Church is in this midst of a forever-altering Revolution. This revolution involves an exodus from church as we know it. Accoring to Barna 2/3 of the nation’s adults are currently experiencing and living out their faith within local church congregations. By 2025, the Barna Group expects that number to be halved.

We estimate that about one third will have their dominant experience and expression of faith through alternative forms of the Church: house churches, organic churches, marketplace ministries, cyberchurches, stratigic faith events, and more. Close to another third will experience and express their faith mostly through forms of media, ranging from outside-in forms, such as television and radio, to inside-out forms such as podcasting and filmaking. Family will be the locus of faith realities for a relative handful of believers.

Some of those faith expressions, like House churches, I applaud. Some of those other potential forms quite honestly freak me out a little bit. Thankfully, Barna spends the bulk of the book, not discussing each of these forms, but reminding the reader that he/she will have to make an educated stance on this Revolution. Over and over Barna tells us that we can’t make a stance based on what we personally find comfortable or uncomfortable. Instead we should look to the Lord and “evaluate everything in light of what the Bible teaches.” Using Acts 2, 4, and 5 for his research as to what comforms to biblical guidelines, Barna lays out the seven characteristics he believes are the marks of authentic spiritual fruit:

INTIMATE WORSHIP OF GOD
INTENTIONAL SPIRITUAL GROWTH
FAITH-BASED CONVERSATIONS
KINGDOM-ORIENTED INVESTMENT OF RESOURCES
CAMPASSIONATE SERVANTHOOD
SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIPS
FAMILY-BASED FAITH

This was what I loved about the book. It wasn’t a triste on destroying church as we know it. It was all about becoming the Church Christ intended us to be. Take some time to read through these passages from Acts. Instead of proof-texting what you already think you understand, seek to read them with new eyes and a new heart. Personally, I am recommitting myself to learn how to be the Church “every day, everywhere, and every way.” I want to live out these characteristics within my own life. Not just on Sundays but every day. Peace.