According to The 2012
Religious Congregations and Membership Study released last Tuesday, Mormonism
is now the fastest growing religion in 26 states in America. The second fastest
growing religious group, according to the study, is Muslims.
The study was conducted by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. According to the report, the Mormon Church, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reported having new congregations in 295 counties in America where they didn’t exist a decade ago. And of course, with Mitt Romney who is a Mormon all but certain to be the Republican candidate for President of the United States, this religious group has remained in the news lately.
Before I go on, let me share a couple important points about the study: It relies mainly on self-reported data from churches and denominations. Two, the most recent study provides the most extensive data to date for African American Protestants, but this subgroup has traditionally lacked resources to gather data, meaning the resulting info is incomplete. My point is that the study is not perfect, but it is the most extensive one that has been done to date in this series of studies. The value of this report is that we can use it to see trends and perhaps draw some important implications.
Understandably, all religious groups in America aim to expand their reach. And what the study suggests is that some religious groups such as the Mormons and Muslims are doing a better job in that regard. Even though most Americans claim to be Christians, those of us who belong to the Christian faith can't presume anything. In other words, just because a person is born in America that does not mean he or she is inclined to embrace Christianity. There are many alternatives out there, and based on the study some of these religious groups are gaining traction. That means we must become more proactive in our efforts to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to win the lost.
Not only must we become more proactive but, more importantly, the Christian church must become more effective in her efforts to spread the gospel. People today need to experience the life-changing power of God in their lives. They need answers for life’s tough problems. Christianity offers both. The irony of it all is that people who need what we have to offer will not break down the doors of our church buildings to come in and get it. Rather, we must go beyond the walls of the church and be about our Father’s business.
Copyright © 2012 by Frank King. All rights reserved.
The study was conducted by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. According to the report, the Mormon Church, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reported having new congregations in 295 counties in America where they didn’t exist a decade ago. And of course, with Mitt Romney who is a Mormon all but certain to be the Republican candidate for President of the United States, this religious group has remained in the news lately.
Before I go on, let me share a couple important points about the study: It relies mainly on self-reported data from churches and denominations. Two, the most recent study provides the most extensive data to date for African American Protestants, but this subgroup has traditionally lacked resources to gather data, meaning the resulting info is incomplete. My point is that the study is not perfect, but it is the most extensive one that has been done to date in this series of studies. The value of this report is that we can use it to see trends and perhaps draw some important implications.
Understandably, all religious groups in America aim to expand their reach. And what the study suggests is that some religious groups such as the Mormons and Muslims are doing a better job in that regard. Even though most Americans claim to be Christians, those of us who belong to the Christian faith can't presume anything. In other words, just because a person is born in America that does not mean he or she is inclined to embrace Christianity. There are many alternatives out there, and based on the study some of these religious groups are gaining traction. That means we must become more proactive in our efforts to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to win the lost.
Not only must we become more proactive but, more importantly, the Christian church must become more effective in her efforts to spread the gospel. People today need to experience the life-changing power of God in their lives. They need answers for life’s tough problems. Christianity offers both. The irony of it all is that people who need what we have to offer will not break down the doors of our church buildings to come in and get it. Rather, we must go beyond the walls of the church and be about our Father’s business.
Copyright © 2012 by Frank King. All rights reserved.
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