Percept's Ethos Surveys indicate faith involvement is
moving towards the edges—either ceasing or increasing. Looking
across three different national Ethos surveys, a curious story emerges that tracks well
with voices insisting that Christianity has been moved to the cultural margins. While no
faith involvement and strong faith involvement are fluctuating, the group of
people who say they are somewhat involved is steadily decreasing. People are
either increasing faith involvement or moving away from it completely. This may suggest
the fading of a merely cultural Christianity. . .
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Ethos Survey Asked
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"Indicate your level of involvement with
your faith both now and 10 years ago."
Look for indicators of the end of cultural Christianity
in your community.
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Invite a dialogue with your church's leadership about the end
of cultural Christianity. Do they see evidence of such a shift?
Ask your leadership what implications there might be
(or already are) of what this data suggests.
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Ask people in your congregation if their faith involvement has
increased. Ask them to explain why?
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Consider visiting people who have left the church (not just
transferred). Ask them what happened for them.
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Consider the ways you shape and tell the Christian story.
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How could this information affect how sermons are designed
and delivered?
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What will this shift mean for how your faith community
tells its story?
