The recently published ARIS report, comparing religious data in the United States in 2008 with the same data from 1990, revealed a number of important facts that Christians who care about the health of the church and the nation should be concerned about. Yesterday, I wrote about the growing presence of the "nones," now fastest growing religious preference in America. There is other important data to be noted in this same report.

Roman Catholicism has declined 1.1% since 1990. This is somewhat surprising since their has been a large-scale increase in Catholic immigrants into America during the same period of time. The reasons for this decline are probably numerous. The sex scandals plainly hurt the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. And the liberal trends in Catholic higher education have failed to catechize and strengthen Catholics at the parish level.

Baptists have declined even faster, from 19.3% to 15.8%, a drop of 3.5%. This is a […]

Yesterday I commented on the recent American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS). The simple facts about religion in America are very clear to all who look at the evidence at all. Religion is in decline as an important part of our culture. Co-author of the ARIS Survey, Barry Kosmin, says, "Don't blame secularism for driving up the percentage of Americans who say they have no religion. These people aren't secularized. They're not thinking about religion and rejecting it; they're not thinking about it at all."

A close look at the rising category of the "nones" in this survey tells you about everything you need to know about American spiritual life and its connection to the practice of public faith. 40% of these say they had no childhood religious initiation ceremony (baptism, christening, circumcision or some kind of naming or dedication). 55% of those who are married had no religious ceremony. 66% say they do not expect to have a religious funeral. Says Kosmin, "Your parents […]

 USA Today reported in the March 9 edition that "Almost all denominations [are] losing ground" in America. For those who study these matters, as I do routinely, this was no great surprise. We are, said the article, "a land of freelancers." The percentage of people who call themselves some kind of Christian has dropped 11% in a generation. The Bible Belt is less Baptist and the Rust Belt is less Catholic. This cuts across all lines. People are exploring new spiritual frontiers and searching for new approaches to faith. Many are simply dropping out totally.

These shifts have occurred over an eighteen year period, according to the newest American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS). Despite the growth of immigration, which has added 50 millions new people to the nation, almost all denominations have lost ground since 1990. Barry Kosmin, who is this survey's co-author, says, "More than ever before, people are just making up their own stories of […]

I was introduced to Luis Bush several years ago by our mutual friend, Dr. Alan Johnson. Alan is a former teacher of mine at Wheaton College and has become a dear friend over the years. Alan also serves on the advisory board of ACT 3 and is a champion for me and the work that I do. Alan also has the wonderful habit of introducing his friends to other friends that he has made over the years. He is one of the most faithful retired professors I know, continuing to give himself to the kingdom actively each day.

Thus I came to have a memorable lunch at the Wheaton College Commons with Luis Bush about five years ago. Since then I have shared several more private meetings with Alan and Luis. For some reason these two brothers continue to invite me into their conversation and fellowship. a fellowship that engages my mind and soul very profoundly. I want you to know about Luis Bush and […]

Those who follow trends and movements in Christian missions are well aware of what has been called the 10/40 Window. This window can be defined quite simply:

The 10/40 Window is an area of the world that contains the largest
population of non-Christians in the world. The area extends from 10
degrees to 40 degrees North of the equator, and stretches from North
Africa across to China. Here is what the 10/40 window looks like on the map.

This 10/40 focus is upon finishing the call of Scripture to reach every tribe and nation and thus to plant the church of Jesus Christ among all people groups. I cut my teeth, spiritually speaking, on this missional model. I still embrace it.

But a new initiative is gaining interest among missionary leaders, one that I have been privileged to share in personally. This initiative is called the 4/14 Window. My friend Luis Bush, a strategist-activist and international facilitator of Transform World Connections, based in Singapore, […]