Statistics and Tracking Polls

From My Perspective - - - -

Those who love to “crunch numbers” can arrive at almost any conclusion based upon (a) a set sample group that is surveyed, and (b) the data that is considered. Sound Statistical Results can often be ignored, such as, almost 80% of the American people want this country to begin drilling for oil in our own nation and territory. However, the Congress of the United States pays no attention to that statistic and goes home for a month of vacation without taking a vote on the people’s business. There are other times one can observe the “findings” and poll results and muse, “where did they come up with that idea?” It appears that from now until the USA National Election Day (approximately three more months) we’ll have to be subjected to Opinion and Tracking Polls, and the Self-Serving Statistics and Punditry of the Media.

There is a current set of statistics pertaining to The Church and the variant data that are used. A partial book review in The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing is the following: “…A book by David T. Olson entitled, The American Church in Crisis…indicates: "The American church needs to be 'forever building.' Building is the church's response to God's missional promptings. But the greatest need of the church is 'being restored,' which is a spiritual and supernatural act of God… Mr. Olson refutes the church attendance research of both Barna and Gallup. He does not believe between 37% and 43% of Americans go to church each week. His research of nearly 300,000 churches gives evidence that the total attending services is closer to 52 million each week (versus over 100 million), and that instead of 40% attending each week, it is more like 19.5%. With regard to the evangelical church, he reports 26.7 million attended church on a given weekend in 2005 — 9.1% of the American churchgoers are connected with the evangelical church…Each year from 2000 to 2005, an estimated 4,000 new churches were started — but each year…3,700 churches closed or a net gain of 300. To keep up with the population growth, 2,900 more churches would need to be started each year, or a total of 6,900…”

If the data were analyzed more fully, one would probably discover the aging of the church that is occurring as well. Just randomly walk into any church when a Worship Service is in process and see how many families are in attendance. Wander around the premises and see how many babies are in the Nursery or children in a Junior Church Assembly. Most of the people attending are 55 or older, and more women are attending than men. A statement embraced in the above book based upon a study done in Switzerland indicates: "If a father does not go to church, no matter how regular the mother is in her religious practices, only one child in 50 becomes a regular church attendee." If that is true, what does this mean for The Church in the future? Why is it that men don’t seem to care any more? Is this the model they want to have before their family and neighbors?

Many Biblical passages could be referenced, but Ephesians 6:1 through 4 states the case well: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” In The Message Translation, verse 4 states: “Fathers… your children - Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” This requires a lifelong commitment and diligence. There is no immediate tracking poll to measure the success-failure ratio. One only has the statement of challenge and assurance in Proverbs 22:6 (From: The Message), “Point your kids in the right direction - when they're old they won't be lost.” It’s not an easy task but it is rewarding when one “hangs in there”, and with prayer, persistence, example, and consistency implements the Biblical guideline and instruction, the positive result will be achieved.

Think about this with me - - - -