The Second Coming of the Church [Paperback]

George Barna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2001

In this "blueprint for survival," Christian sociologist George Barna evaluates the moral and spiritual decline of society and the corresponding stagnation within the Church. Using hard data, Barna unveils the status quo and argues convincingly that the Church must re-invent itself or face virtual oblivion by the mid-21st century.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Barna, the George Gallup of the Christian church, opens this book with a rather dire prediction: "within the next few years America will experience one of two outcomes: either massive spiritual renewal or total moral anarchy." Most Christian churches, he argues in the first part of the book, are operating on models of authority, leadership and congregational structure that are more than 30 years old and fail to meet the needs of a changing culture. In Part II, Barna pulls out his demographic toolkit of surveys, interviews and polls to measure how contemporary culture is becoming more pluralistic and syncretistic. Part III explores "a biblical perspective on what God expects of His church," and Barna uses scripture to draw a portrait of the "true church," one grounded in a worldview that reflects God's priorities and principles. Finally, in Part IV, Barna suggests three steps for renewing the church so that it might spearhead an American spiritual renewal: caring for existing members so that they "grow strong enough to reach others"; training future professional and lay leaders; and preparing new models of ministry service. Barna's book is recommended for anyone interested in the relationship between church and culture.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849942705
• ISBN-13: 978-0849942709
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,237,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

George Barna was raised and educated on the East Coast before moving to California in the early 1980s. He held executive positions in advertising, public policy, political campaigns, and media/marketing research before beginning his own company, the Barna Research Group (now The Barna Group), in 1984. The firm analyzes American culture and creates resources and experiences designed to facilitate moral and spiritual transformation. Located in Ventura, California, The Barna Group provides primary research as well as developmental resources and analytic diagnostics. The company has served several hundred parachurch ministries and thousands of Christian churches throughout the country. It has also supplied research to for-profit corporations such as Ford Motor Company, The Walt Disney Company, Visa USA, and Prudential, and has assisted the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army as well.



To date, George Barna has written more than 40 books, predominantly in the areas of leadership, trends, spiritual development, and church health. Included among them are bestsellers such as Revolution, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, The Frog in the Kettle, The Power of Vision, and Pagan Christianity? Several of his books have received national awards. He has also written for numerous periodicals and has published various syndicated reports on topics related to faith and lifestyle. He also writes a bimonthly research report, The Barna Update, which is accessed by hundreds of thousands of people through his firm's Web site (www.barna.org). His work is frequently cited as an authoritative source by the media. He has been hailed as "the most quoted person in the Christian church today" and is counted among its most influential leaders. In 2009, George initiated Metaformation, a new organization designed to help people maximize their potential. More information about his current projects is available from www.georgebarna.com.



Barna is a popular speaker at ministry conferences around the world and has taught at several universities and seminaries. He has served as a pastor of a large multiethnic church, has been involved in several church plants, and currently leads an organic church. He has served on the board of directors of various organizations. After graduating summa cum laude from Boston College, Barna earned two master's degrees from Rutgers University. At Rutgers, he was awarded the Eagleton Fellowship. He also received a doctorate from Dallas Baptist University. He lives with his wife and their three daughters in Southern California. He enjoys spending time with his family, writing, reading novels, playing and listening to guitar, relaxing on the beach, visiting bookstores, and eating pizza.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barna asks the hard questions, gives the hard answers., November 28, 1999

By 

Ronald E. Keener (North Aurora, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Second Coming of the Church (Hardcover)

Some will say George Barna's interesting book is alarmist; others will view it as a wake-up call. Either way, reading it causes bells to ring for how we view the future of the church. He subtitles the book a "Blueprint for Survival." That Great Awakening, so often forecast for the New Millenium, may just not happen. Barna's analysis gives no basis for such belief. But what makes his diagnosis so compelling is his solid reputation as a professional market researcher; he backs up his conclusions with data. Barna calls for a revolution--"a lay-driven explosion of spiritual angst and piety." A strategic focus. A transformational movement of God. More than most forecasters, he has the feeling of truth telling, speaking hard realities we don't want to hear. (Chapter five on "The New Cultural Realities" gives little encouragement for the future church.) Read his book and you'll be asking yourself, "How can I renew my coimmitment to the struggle?" True to his profession as a researcher into church and religious trends, he uses the hard facts to hit at the failings of the church. The local church needs reengineering. He says: "The likely structural changes that will redefine the church must be taken seriously. We must be prepared to reengineer the contours of ministry without compromising its content." Barna underscores the views of church growth enthusiasts and closes with a remarkable challenge. It's evident he worries for the church in coming decades. He sees the trends and believes that only leadership and vision can save the church from its otherwise certain future. The resolution is in who leads the church. "Marrying the resources of both the laity and the clergy could introduce an exciting era of Christian renewal. But the catalyst for this new reformation will be the people, not the professionals." -- first appearing in "Strategies for Today's Leader," Fall 1998.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wake Up Call to the Church in America, October 13, 1999

By 

Todd Hudnall (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Second Coming of the Church (Hardcover)

George Barna paints a gloomy and desperate portrait of the current church in America. He explains that the majority of churches are archaic in style, irrelevant to the culture and impotent to impact society. With the nation in dire moral straits, it needs the church to rise up to be salt and light. Barna charges the church to take up this mantel and then gives a prescription of necessary changes. Barna does a fine job of explaining the problems and challenges facing the America church. He also lists her shortcomings. His assessment and indictments were blunt and fairly accurate. I felt his comment about America that we have done a "repositioning of religion as a commodity that we consume, rather than one in which we invest ourselves" was accurate and inditing. I also felt his list of solutions were viable and worth embracing. Barna's passion comes across in the pages of the book. I recommend the book to anyone interested in a new church reformation.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE TRUTH HURTS, CHURCH WAKE UP, June 6, 2000

By 

J. Amick "southern lacrosse fan" (the Buckle of the "Bible Belt") - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Second Coming of the Church (Hardcover)

If the numbers don't tell us something, then we that call ourselves the Church are just plain ignorant. The reality is that the moral choices people in our pews are no different than those mowing grass on Sunday morning at 11am. Barna surfaces the crisis we face. We have great buildings and lots of money, but we are losing a generation. I work with teenagers everyday of my life. This book hits home, for the old way of doing "church" will not cut in the the near future. There is nothing unbiblical about Christ-centered change. Barna gives clear direction for the church to survive and thrive. Any church leader that reads this book and continues a mundane, boring church, shame on you!