“Too few parents and families recognize the incredible opportunity they have to change the world by how they raise their children and influence their children’s friends. A society is never without hope of positive change as long as families are intentional and diligent in shaping the moral and spiritual character of their offspring.” George Barna, Futurecast
Have you ever wished you had a crystal ball and could predict what the future holds? Me too! But…in some ways, it can be exciting knowing that we must always be prepared because we don’t know what’s next. George Barna and his Barna research group have studied a lot of trends and statistics in an effort to learn from the past, embrace the present, and be prepared to blaze a trail in the future for the cause of Christ. This work is reflected in Barna’s book Futurecast. I would encourage you to share this book with anyone who desires to have a clear picture of the state of Christianity in the midst of our postmodern, internet addicted, technology relationship focused society. There are a lot of encouraging things in this book, but you will definitely walk away challenged and convicted of the need to take a stand for what’s right. This book was compelling on a number of different levels…as a Christ follower, as a wife, as a mom, and as a middle school and high school principal.
I highlighted several things while reading and have posted them below. I hope they might get your wheels of innovation and creativity flowing!
- Leadership is based on the ability to see future possibilities and shape the environment to facilitate desired outcomes.
- People are changing their minds-not only about spending and savings, but also about what a “reasonable” lifestyle looks like.
- We are a nation addicted to media input. In fact, the only activity that takes more of our time is sleeping.
- We also recognized that is has become common to mistake physical proximity–being in the presence of others–for genuine relationship.
- Fewer than one out of ten Protestant churches has a multiethnic or multiracial congregation to any noteworthy degree.
- Some people fear that social-networking sites might actually contribute to the ongoing demise of healthy friendships.
- Our chaotic world sometimes moves us to year for life as it used to be. That’s usually an exercise in wasted time and energy.
- Family members spend less time with each other than in the past, even though they are slightly more likely to be in close physical proximity than before.
- Too few parents and families recognize the incredible opportunity they have to change the world by how they raise their children and influence their children’s friends. A society is never without hope of positive change as long as families are intentional and diligent in shaping the moral and spiritual character of their offspring.
- In 1980, extensive research among successful companies produced the best-selling book In Search of Excellence. If a similar study were conducted today, the revised title might be Satisfied with Adequacy.
- Today, constructs such as citizenship, the common good, and even community interest are foreign to our way of thinking. Instead, it’s all about me.
- The prevalent view today is that ethical and moral decisions change according to the individuals involved and the situation. This shift in morals has a direct bearing on the economic downturn of recent years.
- If you don’t like what’s happening, the resistance starts by your living a firm, persuasive, and consistent Christian life.
- During the past century, there was arguably no single innovation that change the American way of life as dramatically as the Internet.
- Immediacy is rapidly changing from being a consumer benefit to a customer expectation.
- If all things are possible with God, then it stands to reason that we must be able to shape the moral character of the nation through media and technology without blunting the edge in humor, drama, storytelling, artistic expression, etc.
- If the church would stand up and boldly back its theology with media choices that are consistent with the beliefs we claim to hold, things would change yet again in our society.
- Americans are not so much giving up on God as they are wondering about the viability of the channels they have habitually relied upon to advance their relationship with Him.
- Young adults, looking for but not finding examples of vibrant Christianity, are questioning the underpinnings of faith itself.
- A new model of instruction has emerged, recasting the most common form of Christian education or discipleship training. The emerging trend in Christian education is the small-group ministry.
- Don’t confuse the means with the ends; don’t mistake activity for significance; don’t misconstrue big numbers to imply success; and don’t expect perfection when progress is the best we can hope for.
- Let me suggest that if you consider yourself a Christian–a true follower of Christ, not just someone who knows about Christ–then you are called to follow His example and create the future.
- My closing question for you is this: Is Futurecast simply a book with information you find interesting, or is it a book that you will allow God to use to reveal the trends in your life and to challenge you to change the trajectory of those trends, first in your life, then perhaps in the lives of others, one life at a time? When you boil it down, those are really your only options. And in the end, that’s a choice that only you can make. Choose wisely.