The Second Coming Of The Church

Rating:
Summary: A must read for church leaders
Review: As a church layperson that has a deep interest in church development, I believe The Second Coming of the Church is a must read for anyone interested in the role of the church in the 21st century. Although some readers may feel that Barna's assessment of the viability of the church in its present format is overly pessimistic, his sound research and careful study of the church and society argues otherwise. Importantly, Barna's book is a call to action for the church to finally deal with issues of leadership, change and the development of a biblical worldview. Even though the book raises a lot of issues and presents a lot of facts, it is an easy read - one that keeps you saying to yourself, 'ah, yes...that's right'!

Rating:
Summary: Prematurely correct about where the church will be
Review: Barna lays out a multi-faceted vision of where the church will need to go in order to remain relevant in our ever-shfiting culture. He never questions the staying power of the "unsinkable true Church" but strongly implicates the inability of the church to reproject the timeless message in new and relevant modes. He lays the responsibility upon the leadership of the church. Pastors are overworked and wearing too many hats, some of which they aren't gifted or trained for.

Much of the book is reminiscent of the 1990's vision-shaping management movement with its emphasis on mission statements and dynamic leader identification and training. There is certainly truth to be found in this, but the business world has learned through hard knocks that crisp execution can make up for second rate vision since business is graded on a Bell curve - the lesson may not be useful to the church, it certainly is murky in a theological sense.

In 2003, Barna is talking about Strategic Sources of Influence (SSI) like the Internet and TV, etc. as the place needing emphasis. He feels this book is still his most important, but it wasn't well received/implemented (though I think some of the church growth movement has taken it to heart).

One of the problems the book has, and this is somewhat unfair to judge in hindsight, is that from the beginning it describes how our culture re-invents itself every 3-5 years. The book then builds around that premise as if it is deeply true and significant for minsitry on all fronts. That may be true at the superficial pop culture level and media/technology outlets, but I don't think individuals literally revamp their deeply held worldview assumptions that often. Modernism and post modern relativism/pluralism are the patterns we will have for decades to come; they will just be in different clothing from time to time. I was disappointed Barna didn't stress pure apologetics more as this seemed to be a key, unstated assumption in many of his ministry strategies.

It's still a very good book, even today, and has influenced my thinking quite a bit. The book is more about when and why we should change the church than what and how although there is some detail on growing leadership.

Rating:
Summary: Misses the mark
Review: Barna should be applauded for the amount of sociological research that is found in this book that shows what many have long suspected, the Church is in almost indistinguishable from the world, and is in a state of bankrupcy.

However, in trying to suggest ways that the Church can overcome this state, Barna is less than impressive. Granted, he hits the nail right on the head when he calls for a return of the family unit as being one of the most important groups when it comes to spiritual formation. Without a doubt, most families today do not worship together, do not pray together, and do not study together...something that is to be the halmark of the Church. The only down-side to this though, is that Barna spends too little time in his book on this topic.

Instead, Barna believes that what the Church is seriously lacking today is Biblical leadership. This is where his book really starts to fall apart. While Barna does correctly point out that the gift of leadership (Romans 12:8, NASB) is it's own particular gifting, he places way too much importance on this gift, almost making the gifting its own "office" (In the Eph 4:11 sense). What is shocking to me is that Barna often sets the office of pastor-teacher and gift of leadership as seperate from one another. He does this, because a poll of his indicates that roughly 95% of pastors do not believe they have the gift of leadership.

Biblically though, this cannot be. Can one (Biblically) believe that a shepherd does not have the gift of leadership? No. Biblically, shepherding (pastoring) and leading are one in the same. But this point seems to slip by Barna. If a pastor is unable to lead the people, then he is not truly a pastor, and is simply playing church. Such persons should resign from their offices.

Another problem with Barna's book, is that he tends to look at leaders in the business world, and the church, as one in the same. To Barna, the only difference between a leader in the world, and leader in the Church is that a leader in the Church has Christian character and possesses a vision from God, whereas the business leader does not. Barna states that those who are succesful businessmen are often good Church leaders. To Barna, it seems that the gift of leadership is moreso a natural born talent or virtue rather than a supernatural gift from God. Barna often seems unable to look at the Church for what it is- the body of Christ. Rather, he tends to look at the Church through the filter of the business world.

The book has several redeeming qualities about it, but, ultimately misses the mark.

Rating:
Summary: Barna asks the hard questions, gives the hard answers.
Review: Some will say George Barna's interesting book is alarmist; others will view it as a wake-up call. Either way, reading it causes bells to ring for how we view the future of the church. He subtitles the book a "Blueprint for Survival." That Great Awakening, so often forecast for the New Millenium, may just not happen. Barna's analysis gives no basis for such belief. But what makes his diagnosis so compelling is his solid reputation as a professional market researcher; he backs up his conclusions with data. Barna calls for a revolution--"a lay-driven explosion of spiritual angst and piety." A strategic focus. A transformational movement of God. More than most forecasters, he has the feeling of truth telling, speaking hard realities we don't want to hear. (Chapter five on "The New Cultural Realities" gives little encouragement for the future church.) Read his book and you'll be asking yourself, "How can I renew my coimmitment to the struggle?" True to his profession as a researcher into church and religious trends, he uses the hard facts to hit at the failings of the church. The local church needs reengineering. He says: "The likely structural changes that will redefine the church must be taken seriously. We must be prepared to reengineer the contours of ministry without compromising its content." Barna underscores the views of church growth enthusiasts and closes with a remarkable challenge. It's evident he worries for the church in coming decades. He sees the trends and believes that only leadership and vision can save the church from its otherwise certain future. The resolution is in who leads the church. "Marrying the resources of both the laity and the clergy could introduce an exciting era of Christian renewal. But the catalyst for this new reformation will be the people, not the professionals." -- first appearing in "Strategies for Today's Leader," Fall 1998.

Rating:
Summary: Good read for people interested in church change.
Review: The Second Coming is a well worth read for anyone interested in church change. "While poverty is growing and welfare is declining,the average church spends $6 on facilities for every $1 it spends on its ministry to the poor." states Barna. Such facts bring home the truth that the 21st Century Church will sink or swim depending on whether or not it's willing to change. Overall, Barna sails us through the state of the Church with a myriad of facts and figures combined with his intense yet interesting commentary. His early comments on leadership are very insightful but one can't help feeling a little lost with barna's "four types of leadership" comments that look more like a business plan than an early church model for the 21st century which incorporated the priesthood of all believers.

Rating:
Summary: The church In the 21 st century
Review: This book was great if your a believer and love God get your hands on this. The Household of God must answer the bell in the 21st century because now it seems we are sleeping. God hasn't called us to be comfortable but obedient. George Barna hits the issues head on. A MUST READ