Empowering the laity
Stephen G. Brown
The Layman
November 13, 2007

George Barna, founder of the Barna Research Group in Oxnard, Calif., has conducted demographic and marketing research for secular and religious organizations. His studies of church groups have led him to reflect on mainline denominational decline and the role that today’s clergy appear to be playing in it.

Barna says a “second coming of the church” is possible if it can attract entrepreneurial and revolutionary leaders. This leadership, he says, will not come from the clergy. “Ultimately, the moral and spiritual revolution that will produce the new church will emerge from among the laity. The impetus to change and the creative focus and force reside among the frustrated masses, not among the distracted professionals. 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.”

Barna sees the future church growing out of existing local churches that are gifted with strong lay leadership. “Congregations are currently our best organizational resource,” he says. “As we develop the church of the future, our best strategy will be to grow the new formations from the resources and assistance provided by these present hubs of strength.” the rest photo