2001 - The New Millennium
by Chaplain Jim Robinson
"All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of His resurrection; to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death, in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life." (Philippians 3:10, 11 Today’s English Version)
I do. What an excellent challenge for the new millennium! I want to share this purpose with the apostle Paul, who first expressed it, and with all my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
However, in a representative nation-wide survey of born again adults, conducted by Barna Research,* most of the individuals interviewed did not say that the single most important goal in their life is to be a committed follower of Jesus Christ. Some additional findings of the survey are disturbing:
• A minority of born again adults (44%) and teenagers (9%) are certain of the existence of absolute moral truth.
• Among born again Christian adults only 8% tithe their income to their church; 16% give no donations to their church.
• Fewer than one-third of all teenagers are likely to attend a Christian church after they become independent.
• Most Christians’ votes were influenced more by economic self-interest than by spiritual and moral values.
• Only a minority of born again teenagers (44%) claim that they are "absolutely committed to the Christian faith."
• Born again adults (27%) are more likely to experience a divorce than non born again adults (24%).
• Large proportions of lay leaders in Christian churches hold a range of unbiblical religious views regarding the holiness of Christ, the reality of Satan, the existence of the Holy Spirit, the reality of the resurrection, and the means to salvation.
• Desiring to have a close, personal relationship with God ranks sixth among the 21 life goals tested.
• Born again Christians spend seven times as much time on entertainment as they do on spiritual activities.
• Two-thirds of all teenagers say they know the basic teachings and principles of the Christian faith, however the same number reject the existence of Satan, three-fifths reject the existence of the Holy Spirit, and half believe that Jesus sinned during His lifetime.
No wonder we are seeing a shocking increase of discouragement, burnout, and dropout among pastors! The research goes on to say that, "America is now entering a period that historians will someday regard as the beginning of the era of moral anarchy." *
We are called to be totally sold out to Jesus Christ. To deny ourselves and pick up our cross daily and follow Him, we need to live constantly in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. It is important for ALL of us, wherever we are, to demonstrate holy lives in total commitment to Him.
I am looking right now for additional, serious minded, committed Christians who will bond with us and sacrificially give to help provide the facilities needed here. Our present goal is to complete the Farm House, with its kitchen, dining room, and sleeping accommodations for additional guests and to have it in service before the end of the year. The need for Buffalo Ridge (and other similar facilities) becomes more apparent all the time. God bless you!
* Statistics from Barna Research Online. For additional information visit their website.