Is Trend Towards Spirituality Over Religiosity a Good Thing?

A possible shift by Americans toward spirituality—"measured by self-reported experiences of being connected to something larger than oneself"—and away from religiosity—"measured by frequency of religious attendance and the personal importance of religion," as indicated in a recent study, produced mixed reactions from Christian leaders.The study finds 29% of Americans are both spiritual and religious; 18% are spiritual but not religious; 22% are not spiritual but religious; and 31% are neither spiritual nor religious."The survey finds less overlap between Americans who are spiritual but not religious and those who are religiously unaffiliated than is often assumed," said PRRI CEO Robert P. Jones, who leads the organization dedicated to research at the intersection of politics, religion and culture. "Notably, most Americans who are classified as spiritual but not religious still identify with a religious tradition, even if they are less likely to attend services or say religion is important in their lives."However, Min Lee, 32, a Los Angeles pastor who studies church trends, especially in the area of millennial participation, said the study, more importantly, reflects the need for people to understand that neither focus should stand alone."The shift of being ‘spiritual’ but not ‘religious’ is reflective of the secular worldview that is growing in the US," Lee told TogetherLA. "In one sense, it shows that Americans have not entirely rejected the supernatural, but are holding onto subjectivism, or ‘following their hearts’ to find meaning and spirituality.“Religion isn’t the answer, but neither is spirituality without absolutes. The Gospel is an absolute truth demonstrated by the love of God through the cross.”When asked about the “state of Christianity,” in light of the survey, Lee answered: “Being ‘spiritual but not religious’ shows that people are seeing the need for meaning in life, and that institutionalized religion by in and of itself cannot fulfill that.“As Christians, we are called to preach the Gospel that at its core says that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It is a grace-based relationship and not a religious self-effort. However, being spiritual but not religious is also a form of self-salvation effort, based on individualistic, subjective morality.”READ - Reformation: New 95 Theses Calls Out Segregation in American ChurchThe national survey of 2,016 American adults, designed and conducted jointly by Florida State University and PRRI and funded by the John Templeton Foundation, provides an in-depth profile of Americans who are spiritual but not religious, a PRRI representative said. The survey was conducted between February 28 and March 29, 2017.Results as reported in the survey show:

Among religiously unaffiliated Americans, only about three in ten (29%) can be categorized as spiritual but not religious. Two-thirds (65%) of religiously unaffiliated Americans are neither spiritual nor religious, compared to five percent who are not spiritual but religious and one percent who are both spiritual and religious.Nonreligious Americans—including those who are spiritual but not religious—are significantly younger than religious Americans. A majority of Americans who are spiritual but not religious (56%) or who are neither spiritual nor religious (62%) are under the age of 50. Fewer Americans who are not spiritual but religious (50%) or who are both spiritual and religious (46%) are under the age of 50.There are significant educational differences as well. Forty percent of spiritual but not religious Americans have a four-year college degree, including 17% with post-graduate education, well above other groups. A similar number (39%) of Americans who are spiritual and religious have a four-year college degree. Three in ten Americans (30%) who are neither spiritual nor religious have a four-year college degree. Only 24% of Americans who are not spiritual but religious are college graduates, and 53% have no college education at all.Spiritual but not religious Americans are significantly more liberal (40%) than the general population (24%). Yet these Americans mostly avoid partisan labels, as 44% are politically independent. However, spiritual but not religious Americans are more than twice as likely to identify as Democrat than Republican (36% vs. 16%).

“The spiritual but not religious segment of the population in the United States may be growing, yet they are still largely participating in our churches,” Mark Tidsworth, a South Carolina-based church and leadership consultant, author and president of Pinnacle Leadership Associates, told Baptist News Global.“So those in our congregations who trend toward spirituality over religiosity largely do not flee for the exits,” he said.

READ: 4 Pastors Get Real About the City – Together LA Pop-Up Part 1

Should churches change strategies in reaching people for Jesus in light of a “spirituality” movement?“We are in dire need for another Gospel movement in this generation,” said Lee, who is part of a church plant in downtown L.A. “I’m confident that God is on the move today, through His people, to reach this generation with the unchanging message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Should we learn to contextualize? Absolutely. Do we need to compromise? Absolutely not.”He added the below Bible verse to his answer:“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” — Romans 1:16What are your thoughts on the subject? Is it more important for you to be spiritual or religious? Or, be honest, are you struggling with where to start in your faith journey? Leave your comments below.

Millennial Vision Caster Answers Call to Mobilize 15,000 for Revival in LA

Dustin Lang, who is an education pastor at Young Nak Celebration Church, has a vision to mobilize 15,000 Christians from different churches, backgrounds, and ethnicities to begin praying for and proclaiming the gospel to Los Angeles.Lang, 30, is seeking revival in L.A.His vision includes leading a group called Revival LA which helped facilitate a gathering of "believers who are desperate for a revival in Los Angeles" at Bel Air Presbyterian Church on Friday (Oct. 20).Those in attendance worshiped, listened to preaching, prayed, and experienced the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, organizers said. Information about how to get involved with Revival LA was also sharedPastor Josh Thompson (Legacy City Church) was the scheduled speaker and worship was led by The Bookouts.TogetherLA had a chance to interview Lang via email recently. Our questions and his answers are below.TogetherLA: Tell me a little about yourself.Dustin Lang: I grew up with everything - comfort, good friends, loving family, and success - but felt so empty. In my 8th grade summer before entering high school, I realized that this void could only be filled by Jesus. At this time, God drew me to Him, convicting me of my brokenness and need for a Savior. And in 9th grade, I gave my life to the Lord. Everything changed.I serve as the Vision Caster for Revival LA. I also serve as the Education Pastor at Young Nak Celebration Church.TLA: How did Revival LA start? How did you become involved?Lang: Revival LA started in the summer of 2014. In an extended season of prayer, God began expanding my heart. Instead of solely carrying a burden for my local church, I began experiencing a deep desire to see revival take hold of Los Angeles. During this same time, I also developed a discontentment over my ministry. It wasn't that I disliked serving. I loved it. But I was always disappointed in the responses I heard. They complimented our programs, the preaching, and the professionalism. However, there was nothing said about God's power. It was then that God convicted me to hold a worship service for 500 (I served in a church where the average midweek attendance was 25). I didn't know how this would be possible. But I stepped in faith, prayed, and spread the word. That night 500 people came. 40 gave their lives to Jesus, the majority recommitted their lives, and people were healed of chronic illnesses. When the event was over, people were in awe. I finally had a response that seemed fitting for people who experienced the transformative power of the gospel.After this event, I was driving through Los Angeles when God placed a conviction on my heart. Instead of 500, the number was 15,000. God called me to mobilize 15,000 believers from different churches, backgrounds, and ethnicities to begin praying for and proclaiming the gospel to LA. I had seen ministries that held large events in Los Angeles. These were invaluable in creating momentum in the church. However, I wanted to form a ministry for Christians in Los Angeles who would commit themselves year after year to pray and share the gospel in LA. That's how Revival LA was born.TLA: Who is the core team made up of?Lang: Our core team is currently made up of 4 individuals. Jennifer Lee (also my soon to be wife) is our Communication Director. She oversees all forms of communication from social media to emails to advertising. Andrea Valani is our Event Coordinator. She sets up for our events and will soon be co-leading our ministry team of volunteers. Peter Robinson is our Videographer. He creates videos for our social media and web platforms.TLA: Why is Revival LA important?Lang: Revival LA is important because Los Angeles needs revival. The church is not growing as quickly as other religions and this is a problem. Revival LA aims to spark a fire for the gospel to be preached, prayer to be sown, and a city to be revived. We are committed to the city and will continue serving until our vision is fulfilled.TLA: Why is Revival Night important?Lang: Our Revival Night is aimed at bringing new life to non-Christians and renewed life to Christians. We want to mobilize an emerging generation to develop a burden for prayer and evangelism. On this night, we'll come together as one church to lift up our Lord and Savior. We'll also be sharing exciting news of how people can become a part of the Revival LA movement.TLA: What would you like to see happen as the result of Revival Night?Lang: I would love to see souls saved, hearts set on fire, and a city shaken through prayer.TLA: Is there anything else you would like to add?Lang: If people would like to get involved, they can do so through this link: http://www.revivalla.org/partner/

Global Church Planter's Vision to Reach Millennials Begins in Downtown LA

Pastor and church planter Jimmie Davidson wants to help millennials get over the whole "church thing" which apparently, for whatever reasons and according to recent stats, is causing a mass exodus from traditional Sunday services.Davidson is the visionary behind TheBrooks.Church, designed to help people who are accustomed to watching church services through the Internet or on TV “become people with a church” wherever they meet.He is aiming high, hoping for a billion global “gatherings” that meet at coffee shops, workplaces, and homes. While Davidson seems to be always thinking globally, his thoughts and prayers most recently have focused in on establishing a home base in Downtown Los Angeles."Lori (his wife) and I are in downtown LA preparing to launch The Brooks as a base to love this city, as a model for the world, as the launching point for the churches we pray to start Internationally," Davidson said.  "This will only be won through prayer, so we are asking you to pray!"His launch team has grown to 18 people over the past few months while "we expect the 300!""Our focus right now is community service projects to love our neighbors.  Those early adopters and pioneers of the faith who God is sending are largely from the arts, including actors living in the city," he said.Plans are for Easter Sunday to be the first service for The Brooks.  After Easter, monthly services are planned for May, June, July, August and September, and the launch of weekly services in October.Leading up to the Easter service, Davidson said he plans to begin a weekly message this Sunday (Feb. 26) titled “You Are The One” which he hopes will help people discover their calling, "their voice for God’s purpose in Life."“We are trying to bring the church where the church doesn’t exist as we raise up people that are not in the game, not using their talents, they are more spectators, and help them be a part of what Christ is doing all over the world,” said Davidson, whose bio includes the descriptor “Great Commission Strategist.”“One billion people mobilized, awakened, to host His church where they live, whatever space they have. It’s about His movement, it’s like streams of the desert, Isaiah 43:18-19. It’s the ultimate seeker-sensitive movement,” he said.“Forget the former things, I’m doing something new, like streams in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19Davidson told me that the timeline for reaching the 1 billion host milestone is not up to him, it’s “up to God.” Even so, it appears Davidson is well-equipped to lead and launch TheBrooks.Church at a time when one-third of millennials say they are unaffiliated with any faith, according to a Pew study released last year and other studies released this year.Davidson’s church planting experience includes starting Highlands Fellowship Church in Virginia which grew from a small group study of family and friends to 4,000 people in attendance and multiple sites. He is the founder of the Global Glory of God PEACE House where over 300 international business leaders and pastors have been trained from over 70 nations, “touching tens of millions of lives.”He was also a contributing author of the book, Multi-site Churches: Guidance for the Movement’s Next Generation, by Scott McConnell.“During the process” of his ministry work, as Davidson describes it, Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren asked him to lead the church’s global campus launches. Three years ago, after several months of prayer, he joined Warren’s team and became a PEACE Pastor overseeing all global missions including a staff of over 35 as well as thousands of volunteers in carrying out the PEACE Plan which includes “Planting Churches, Equipping Servant Leaders, Assisting the Poor, Caring for the Sick and Educating the Next Generation.”“Two years ago, we [Saddleback] launched three global campuses on three continents in two weeks – Hong Kong, Berlin, and Buenos Aires and then the following year, in the summer, during a hurricane, we launched Manilla,” Davidson said. “All of that had led to [the] innovative idea that I’m working on. God has wired me up to be an entrepreneur with an apostolic calling – how do I reach the people who are not being reached.”He says the vision for TheBrooks.Church is to “launch churches all over the planet through ordinary followers of Jesus, using 21st century technology, the Internet, where 3 billion people are online, with the 1st century idea that Jesus gave us when he said, ‘I will build my gathering and the gates of hell will not prevail against me.’”...or a trending millennials downward outlook.He added, “The gospel is meant to be seen up close. The online launch can be a little bit misleading because we are using that as a tool, as a platform, but the heart of what we are doing is what the Lord said, ‘Do not forsake the gathering of your souls together.' Jesus said if two or three of you meet in my name it will be done by my Father. There’s something powerful about people following Jesus gathering, others gathering, God showing up and needs being met.”Perhaps millennials, saved and unsaved, will begin to look at church in a new way.

The Brooks Church: Jimmie Davidson Launches Church Movement from One Ten Pictures on Vimeo.

.@JimmieDavidson wants to help millennials get over the whole “church thing” https://t.co/w1at39Ih4y #losangeles @together_la

— Alex Murashko (@AlexMurashko) February 20, 2017