Washington
I love new insights into DC. I found some fascinating factoids about DC today. Most of these are based on the American Religion Data Archive.
Only 20% of Washingtonians attend church. That is half the national average.
There are 200 churches in DC. Those 200 churches have 119,799 adherents. but only 40% of those adherents attend on any given Sunday. So about 48,000 Washingtonians are in church on Sundays.
Here's the bottom line: 80% of DC is unchurched.
The median age of DC is 34.6.
13% of Washingtonians are foreign born.
Foreigners
I had coffee with a church planter today and he shared a few valuable insights.
He said, "Evangelicals are foreigners." He asked a great question: if the Bible wasn't published yet how would you try to communicate the message?
That is precisely the challenge Paul faced in Athens. He cited their poet--Epimenides. That is what God @ the Billboard and God @ the Box Office series is all about. It is translating the truth into cultural languages.
We believe the Bible is inspired and infallible. But it's a quantum mistake to assume that apriori starting point in dealing with other people. I'm amazed at how many people comment on the variety of quotes I use--from ancient philosophers to modern thinkers. And the way those extra-biblical quotes seem to lend authority or authenticity to my messages. I believe the Bible is the textual authority, but that isn't where people are at. So we have a choice. We can go to them or stay where we are.
FailuresOne other interesting insight. This church planter did a study of 400 PCA church planters. He said, "The best church planters failed in their first attempt." The planters were graded on a scale of 1-5. 5 was the top score. He said that none of the 5's succeeded in planting a church. They were too perfect. 40% of 4's were successful. And 60% of 3's were successful in their second attempt. And the proved to be the best planters.
I think more and more about our failed church plant in Chicago and the way God used that in so many ways.
Praise God for failure!
Only 20% of Washingtonians attend church. That is half the national average.
There are 200 churches in DC. Those 200 churches have 119,799 adherents. but only 40% of those adherents attend on any given Sunday. So about 48,000 Washingtonians are in church on Sundays.
Here's the bottom line: 80% of DC is unchurched.
The median age of DC is 34.6.
13% of Washingtonians are foreign born.
Foreigners
I had coffee with a church planter today and he shared a few valuable insights.
He said, "Evangelicals are foreigners." He asked a great question: if the Bible wasn't published yet how would you try to communicate the message?
That is precisely the challenge Paul faced in Athens. He cited their poet--Epimenides. That is what God @ the Billboard and God @ the Box Office series is all about. It is translating the truth into cultural languages.
We believe the Bible is inspired and infallible. But it's a quantum mistake to assume that apriori starting point in dealing with other people. I'm amazed at how many people comment on the variety of quotes I use--from ancient philosophers to modern thinkers. And the way those extra-biblical quotes seem to lend authority or authenticity to my messages. I believe the Bible is the textual authority, but that isn't where people are at. So we have a choice. We can go to them or stay where we are.
FailuresOne other interesting insight. This church planter did a study of 400 PCA church planters. He said, "The best church planters failed in their first attempt." The planters were graded on a scale of 1-5. 5 was the top score. He said that none of the 5's succeeded in planting a church. They were too perfect. 40% of 4's were successful. And 60% of 3's were successful in their second attempt. And the proved to be the best planters.
I think more and more about our failed church plant in Chicago and the way God used that in so many ways.
Praise God for failure!
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