Reality CheckWhat a new generation really thinks

about Christianity… and why it matters

Kevin Bowman, kevinb@cordovachurch.comDave Davis, daved@cordovachurch.comPowerPoint download, www.cordovachurch.com/reality

Last week - hypocrisy

• Current perception: Christians say one thing but live something entirely different.

• Goal perception: Christians are transparent about their flaws and act first, talk second.

• Recapping last week– Hypocrisy may be seen as a means to an end– Christian lives don’t match Christian beliefs– We set ourselves up for failure by prioritizing “being good”

16-29 year olds

Unfavorable Image Outsiders Churchgoers

Hypocritical 85% 47%

You can’t handle Jesus

• If lifestyle is the primary way we measure our faithfulness, it’s easy to make the prideful assumption than an inability to live virtuously is what’s keeping people from Christ

• This attitude seems particularly arrogant given last week’s data on how well Christian living matches Christian beliefs – John 8:2-11

• Nobody is capable of living “right enough” to not rely on Christ

The Good-O-Meter

This is hard; let’s change the rules

• For a new generation of Christians, it may seem easier to compromise morality than to appear a hypocrite.

• Re-shaping the rules is a quick solution in an increasingly morally relativistic society.

% morally acceptable

Unfavorable Image Age 42+ Age 23-41

Gambling 38% 58%

Sexual thoughts or fantasies 35% 57%

Sex outside marriage 23% 44%

Having a homosexual relationship 13% 28%

Radical transparency• Christian transparency can disarm an “image is

everything” generation– Young people value authenticity: Don’t pretend to be

something you’re not; be open about your faults• Being transparent about our own brokenness reinforces

our reliance on Christ– Transparency simply means admitting what the bible says

about us: Romans 3:23-24• Be transparent, but with boundaries & considerations

– Use details with caution; resist self-centered motivation; focus on restoration; accept unconditionally

Hypocrisy – call to action

• Goal perception: Christians are transparent about their flaws and act first, talk second.

1. Re-assess your priorities; don’t measure faith by avoidance of sin– Mark 12:29-31

2. Strive for real-time transparency about our flaws, challenges & motivations– Romans 7:21-25

3. Live your beliefs; Jesus is your role model– Ephesians 4:22-24

Get saved!

Get saved!

• Current perception– Christians are insincere & concerned only with

converting others• Goal perception– Christians cultivate relationships & environments

where others can be deeply transformed by God

Christians are too concerned with converting people. They are insincere. All I ever hear is “Get saved!” I tried that whole “Jesus thing” already. It didn’t work for me before, and I’m not interested now.

Shawn, age 22

Always Be Closing

• Christians are seen as pushy salespeople, and even our genuine interest in peoples’ wellbeing is seen as “fake”– Just 1/3 of outsiders think Christians really care

about them; while 2/3 of Christians feel their efforts would be perceived as caring

• Outsiders are skeptical & savvy; our interest in them has to go farther than getting them to a bible study

Next week

• Finishing up “Get saved!”• Introduce anti-homosexual

• Feedback & resources– Kevin Bowman, kevinb@cordovachurch.com – Dave Davis, daved@cordovachurch.com – PowerPoint download, www.cordovachurch.com/reality