It is not too often that I come across a book that reshapes my understanding of reality. This one has. I stumbled on the book while doing research on the Western Church, and could not put it down. George Barna, the lead researcher for Barna surveys for many years, presents a new way of thinking about faith and the Church in the book. He challenges us to be revolutionaries. He cites trends in church participation that suggest that the traditional church models are not working for many in the West and that that is good because those models are manmade and outdated. They do not align well with what God is doing through the Holy Spirit.
He goes into specifics comparing people who attend Church with attitudes described in the New Testament and charges that there is a significant departure from the New Testament Church in most modern Western Churches. He identifies the following seven passions that should drive Christians:
- A passion for intimate worship with our creator God.
- A passion for regular faith-based conversations.
- A passion for intentional spiritual growth.
- A passion to serve others.
- A passion to invest time, money, and emotional energy into activities that advance the Kingdom.
- A passion to surround ourselves with others who are passionate about spiritual growth.
- A passion to share our faith with our family.
Barna argues that these passions are an indication that we are being guided by the Holy Spirit in our practice of faith. If we do not have them in our lives, he advises us to make intentional changes, so they begin to emerge as emotional drivers in informing our thoughts and actions. We do this through prayer, study, and hanging around people who do have these passions driving their life.
Here is the test. Does your life reflect this passage?
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Romans 12:9-19 NIV
If our lives do not live up to this standard, they can, with the aid of the Holy Spirit. It takes time but we can be transformed as described in this passage:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Life On the Rock 