The Second Coming of the Church

by George Barna

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0849942705
• ISBN13: 9780849942709
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Relevant Facts and Diagnosis

Barna's surveys and studies provide church leaders with a dependable source of diagnosis. Barna's expertise lies in his ability to pinpoint exactly what is happening.I place much trust in Barna's ability to diagnose. His suggested solutions, however, I disagree with. We can offer teaching to our people, for instance, but what do we do with all the people who claim to be believers but yet refuse to excercise their minds?My advice: read Barna to diagnose, that is his specialty. The treatment, that lies elsewhere, perhaps as a combination from Os Guiness in "Fit Bodies, Fat Minds," Gene Getz's classic, "Sharpening the Focus of the Church," and even the secular, "Bowling Alone" by Robert Putnam.

THE TRUTH HURTS, CHURCH WAKE UP

If the numbers don't tell us something, then we that call ourselves the Church are just plain ignorant. The reality is that the moral choices people in our pews are no different than those mowing grass on Sunday morning at 11am. Barna surfaces the crisis we face. We have great buildings and lots of money, but we are losing a generation. I work with teenagers everyday of my life. This book hits home, for the old way of doing "church" will not cut in the the near future. There is nothing unbiblical about Christ-centered change. Barna gives clear direction for the church to survive and thrive. Any church leader that reads this book and continues a mundane, boring church, shame on you!

Barna asks the hard questions, gives the hard answers.

Some will say George Barna's interesting book is alarmist; others will view it as a wake-up call. Either way, reading it causes bells to ring for how we view the future of the church. He subtitles the book a "Blueprint for Survival." That Great Awakening, so often forecast for the New Millenium, may just not happen. Barna's analysis gives no basis for such belief. But what makes his diagnosis so compelling is his solid reputation as a professional market researcher; he backs up his conclusions with data. Barna calls for a revolution--"a lay-driven explosion of spiritual angst and piety." A strategic focus. A transformational movement of God. More than most forecasters, he has the feeling of truth telling, speaking hard realities we don't want to hear. (Chapter five on "The New Cultural Realities" gives little encouragement for the future church.) Read his book and you'll be asking yourself, "How can I renew my coimmitment to the struggle?" True to his profession as a researcher into church and religious trends, he uses the hard facts to hit at the failings of the church. The local church needs reengineering. He says: "The likely structural changes that will redefine the church must be taken seriously. We must be prepared to reengineer the contours of ministry without compromising its content." Barna underscores the views of church growth enthusiasts and closes with a remarkable challenge. It's evident he worries for the church in coming decades. He sees the trends and believes that only leadership and vision can save the church from its otherwise certain future. The resolution is in who leads the church. "Marrying the resources of both the laity and the clergy could introduce an exciting era of Christian renewal. But the catalyst for this new reformation will be the people, not the professionals." -- first appearing in "Strategies for Today's Leader," Fall 1998.

A must read for church leaders

As a church layperson that has a deep interest in church development, I believe The Second Coming of the Church is a must read for anyone interested in the role of the church in the 21st century. Although some readers may feel that Barna's assessment of the viability of the church in its present format is overly pessimistic, his sound research and careful study of the church and society argues otherwise. Importantly, Barna's book is a call to action for the church to finally deal with issues of leadership, change and the development of a biblical worldview. Even though the book raises a lot of issues and presents a lot of facts, it is an easy read - one that keeps you saying to yourself, `ah, yes...that's right'!

A must read for anyone who loves the Church

Having read several of Barna's books over the years and respecting his work, I have found The Second Coming of the Church to be the most important work Barna has done. "Second Coming" gives the reference points necessary to take an internal look at a congregation and ask the tough questions about the ministries of that congregation and its environment. His solid scholarly approach to the survey data shows the areas of need in the general public and how the congregation can equip itself to serve those needs. It is practical fodder for the work of the Gospel at the end of this century.