Why Outsiders Matter

Tribe of the Depraved Why Perceptions From Outsiders Matter February 21, 2010

Matthew 5 1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: 2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be ﬁlled.

Matthew 5 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

Matthew 5 13 You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

on the same page • Insiders: Church Attenders • Traditional • Evangelical • Outsiders: Non-Church Attenders • Unchurched Believers • Unbelievers

Attendance • 88% of American’s believe in a deity • Church Attendance: • 65% of Silent Generation Attend • 35% of Baby Boomers Attend • 5% of Gen X / Gen Y Attend • Projected that only 2-3% of Millennials will attend • 22% of Americans say that they will never attend a church. Source: “Quitting Church” by Julia Duin

Barna Group Findings www.UNChristian.com Unfavorable Judgmental 87% Hypocritical 85% Over Involved in Politics 75% Out of Touch with Reality 72% Old Fashioned 78% Insensitive to Others 70% Boring 68% Not Accepting other Faiths 64% Confusing 61%

Barna Group Findings www.UNChristian.com Favorable Teaches Basic Ideas as Other Religion 82% Good Values and Principles 76% Friendly 71% Faith That Can Be Respected 55% Consistently Shows Love for Others 55% Offers Hope for the Future 54% People That You Can Trust 52% Seems Genuine and Real 41% Something That Makes Sense 41% Relevenat to Your Life 30%

Barna Group Notes • Only one out of five outsiders said they perceive Christian churches as loving environments, places where people are unconditionally loved and accepted regardless of how they look or what they do. Surprisingly, fewer than half of churchgoers, including born-again Christians, felt strongly that their church demonstrates unconditional love. • The perception is that Christians are known more for talking about these issues than doing anything about them. Based on our survey, a majority of outsiders (57 percent) say Christians are quick to find fault with others. • Only one-fifth of young outsiders believe that an active faith helps people live a better, more fulfilling life. • Three-quarters of Mosaics (Gen X) and Busters (Gen Y) outside the church said that present-day Christianity could accurately be described as old-fashioned, and seven out of ten believe the faith is out of touch with reality. Most outsiders and nearly half of young insiders say that Christianity is confusing.

Romans 3 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justiﬁed as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

Representing Being “Real” with a Cross Focused Reality 1:5 Ratio Pray before Pity Counseling before Crying (crying will come later) Being Deliberate and Responsive

Why Do We Care? Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Isaiah 53:6 Luke 19:10 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; For the Son of Man came to seek and the LORD has laid on him and to save what was lost. the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 28 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

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Why Outsiders Matter

by Matthew Rathbun on Feb 22, 2010

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Why Outsiders Matter — Presentation Transcript