[Dialogue] Future of American Faith

[LAURELCG at aol.com]

I thought this was interesting, so I'm sending it on.  I'm ignorant of 
exactly who Barna is, however.  Jann

Barna: The Future of American Faith

Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:02 pm (PST)

The Future of American Faith

When asked what he saw on the horizon regarding Americans' faith, Barna
described findings from some research currently in process related to  
the future of faith. He listed three general patterns he expects to gain
prominence in the coming years.

Diversity. There will be new forms of spiritual leadership, different
expressions of faith, and greater variety in when and where people meet
together to be communities of faith. Ecumenism will expand, as the  
emerging generations pay less attention to doctrine and more attention to
relationships and experiences. Barna predicted that there will be a  
broader network of micro-faith communities built around lifestyle affinities, 
 
such as gay communities of faith, marketplace professionals who gather for  
faith experiences, and so forth.

Bifurcation. Barna expects to see a widening gap between the intensely
committed and those who are casually involved in faith matters. The
difference will become strikingly evident between those who make  
faith the core of their life and those who simply attach a religious 
component  
on to an already mature lifestyle.

Media. Spiritual content and experiences will be increasingly related  
to the use of media. New technologies that will gain market share over the  
coming decade will significantly reshape how people experience and express  
their faith, and the ways in which they form communities of faith.

excerpt from "Barna Lists the 12 Most Significant Religious Findings from 
2006 Surveys"

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