Somehow, the other day, I happened to pick up a copy of George Barna's new book called Revolution. For those of you who are unfamiliar, George Barna is the founder of Barna Research Group (now called The Barna Group), which was created more than two decades ago with the intent to help ministries facilitate strategic decision-making. Much of this was accomplished through detailed statistical research provided by the Group. Over the course of that 20 years the Barna research team interviewed nearly a half million people in the course of hundreds of research studies, provided seminar-based training to leaders from more than 50,000 churches, produced more than 60 books and syndicated reports, and developed a website that provided free information to hundreds of thousands of people every month. Barna became one of the most (if not the most) trusted resource for church-related statistical research in the United States and has often been hailed as "the most quoted person in the Christian Church today"!
But, as I found out reading this book, a drastic change occurred in George Barna's life (about 2003) as a result of his countless hours of researching the effects of organized religion; he realized that very little actual life transformation appeared to be occurring in churched believers all over the country. Even worse, he realized that his own efforts in research were being used by pastors mostly for the purpose of seeking statistical evidence to support their teaching. To his surprise, however, the same research Barna had been conducting over the years led him to a discovery of the fact that God was moving in mighty ways OUTSIDE the four walls of the Institutional Church! In fact, Barna was so impacted by what he observed in the lives of "churchless" Christians all over the U.S. that it convinced him to give up what he had done for 20 years and refocus his attentions. He changed the name of his organization from the Barna Research Group to simply the Barna Group, downsized his organization from 100 employees to eight, moved out of their large office space into a compact area, sought to become more partnership based, and chose to raise the level of risk they were willing to take in new ventures, determining that it would be better to go broke in the pursuit of true life transformation than to remain financially safe but without any gain for the kingdom.
All of that to say that George Barna no longer has interest to merely help grow the Institutional Church. His new passion is solely to see God's true Church, who are His very people (His body), walk into the fullness of what God intends for them without obstacles, without distractions, without religious strings attached - and to see them live life to the fullest in Christ and minister truth to a lost and dying world who desperately need Him. George was humbled to find that this is already happening without the aid of churches and formal religious organizations or "official" leadership. In fact, one of the most impacting things he notes in his new book is that so many of these groups of believers who serve the Lord outside the Institutional Church System, even though they often have poor organization, lack of great numbers, meager financial resources, often weak human leadership and are sometimes ridiculed and despised by those in larger church organizations, yet they are often more effective (in terms of actual life transformation, relationship building, devotion to truth, and sincere Christian devotion); proving that it is GOD - not man - that is leading these believers. Barna now calls these Christians who no longer center their lives around religious organizations (i.e. churches) "Revolutionaries" and believes they (all 20 million of them and growing) are the real future of the manifested body of Christ on earth; in other words they represent those who have moved beyond the established church and chosen to BE the Church instead. Barna also humbly and joyously admits that he is now one of them as well.
While many traditionalists argue today that, in order to grow properly in the Lord, you must attend a local church, Barna refutes this notion strongly with both Scripture and statistical example of how literally millions of believers today are finding a vibrant relationship with God (and fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ) outside the walls of organized religion (and the same are effecting change around them by their Christ-like influence); However, Barna does not make the argument simply about those "in" churches and those "outside" (as a sort of "us versus them" attitude), rather he directs his writing to every true believer in Jesus Christ and focuses on the importance of becoming full disciples of Jesus (whether inside or outside the walls of some organization) and not to become distracted with anything that may remove our full attention from Him. Barna states in the book: "In fact, there is no verse in Scripture that links the concepts of worshiping God and a `church meeting.' The Bible does not tell us that worship must happen in a church sanctuary and therefore we must be actively associated with a local church. It simply tells us that we must worship God regularly and purely, in spirit and truth. Take particular note of the fact that Jesus dismissed the organized worship of His day as `a farce' and intimated that we ought not be so limited as to how and when we worship God (see Mark 7:7). When the Samaritan woman asked about worship practices and places, Jesus responded bluntly that, `The time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem... But the time is coming - indeed it is here now - when true worshipers with worship the Father in spirit and in truth' (John 4:21-23). He was highlighting the same foolish irrelevancies that traditionalists argue about today."
The book also highlights trademarks of true Revolutionaries as Barna has observed and attempts to give suggestions as to how all of us, even (and especially) those believers who are still associated with or who lead traditional congregations, can make way for this current revolution and move of God's Spirit. While some may find the content of this book uncomfortable or even controversial, Barna speaks with grace but also fervor and excitement, presenting a strong, biblically-sound argument for what he has observed transpiring over the last two decades and encourages the reader to make their own educated observations. Finally, he challenges the reader to boldly face this crossroad and decide whether or not they will become a part of the revolution themselves (risking all to follow Christ without reserve). He presses the reader with the question as to whether or not they will embrace what God is doing or outright fight it and reject it altogether. Whether or not a Christian chooses to agree with Barna's observations of what he considers to be a magnificent move of God and the very future of the Lord's Church on earth as we know it, Barna believes that every Christian needs to be aware of "the revolution" and confront their reaction to it head on.
Anyone who has been familiar with the Barna Group (a.k.a. Barna Research Group) over the years knows that they are a trustworthy voice in the Church and have a firm grasp on the nationwide picture of organized religion and its effects on society and the body of Christ. We would do well to listen to what this brother in Christ, George Barna, has to say about what he has observed.
This is a remarkable book that will encourage and inspire believers (whether outside the institutional church program or even still within). It's a very easy read. The book also contains some statistics (as you'd expect from Barna Group) and proves to be a very informative, spiritually-motivating read. I highly recommend this book!
In closing I would just like to say that this review is not necessarily intended to be a full on endorsement of everything George Barna may personally believe or engage in as it concerns every facet of his ministry. The truth is, I know very little at this point about all of that. Each person should exercise discernment and hold fast to the truth of God's Word as their gage in all things. I merely wish to encourage people to see that God is working in wonderful ways OUTSIDE the four walls, as He can in you... and if a man who spent more than 30 years of his life supporting the old system can humble himself, recognizing the hand of God in ways previously unfamiliar to him and risk everything to follow Christ, even if it costs him the success of his own well-established and financially-successful ministry, certainly so can we press on in Jesus without fear or worry for the things others may say about us and live to become Revolutionaries for the glory of our Lord. Ultimately, I hope all of us who know the Lord can agree that life as believers is ABOUT HIM and we ought never to allow ourselves to be distracted from a pure and true devotion to Jesus Christ.
God bless you all!
