February 2006 Archives

Christians undermine their ability to reach society with the gospel because they segregate their churches by race, sociologist/author George Yancey told participants in a workshop aimed at racial reconciliation.

Unfortunately, only 8 percent of American churches are multiracial, Yancey lamented. He defined a “multiracial church” as one in which no single racial group comprises more than 80 percent of the participants.

Despite the challenges, multiracial churches are more than worth the effort, Yancey contended. He cited five reasons why Christians need multiracial churches:

• Multiracial churches are effective in presenting the gospel in multiracial communities.
• Racial reconciliation requires the kind of Christian model presented by multiracial churches.
• Multiracial congregations can repair “our damaged Christian witness.”
• Multiracial churches reflect obedience to God.

Read more here

Then make note of these 11 things you should know about people.

1. People don't care about the church database.
2. People aren't motivated by your need. They're motivated by theirs.
3. People don’t care about their next step until they know they're valued where they are now.
4. People don't know who you are, no matter how long you've been around the church.
5. People multi-task and can't remember squat.
6. People are turned off by lack of preparation.
7. People relate when you talk about them or people like them.
8. People feel left out and frustrated when you use insider's language.
9. People aren't impressed with your theological vocabulary and holy dialect.
10. People love stories not lectures.
11. People shut down when your message sounds like a scolding.

Read more here. It's worth the click.

The Center for Arizona Policy has recently revised and updated our Guide to Family Issues. The short issue briefs contained in this resource are a valuable source of information for pastors, students, activists and those who want to stay informed on family issues. The Guide to Family Issues covers issues related to education, gambling, homosexuality, judicial reform, sanctity of life, marriage, political action and pornography. The latest information under these topics is covered in 46 separate briefs, each only a few pages long, giving an overview of the social science evidence and legal status of the topic.

We encourage you to take advantage of this valuable guide to keep up-to-date and informed on the entire range of issues that The Center for Arizona Policy is involved in. To take a look at the Guide to Family Issues, please follow this link.