An Increase in the Number of Unchurched

According to a Barna Group study, the number of adults who are not attending church has risen since the early 90s. In 1991, 21 percent of surveyed adults reported that they were no longer attending church. In 2004, that number has risen to 34 percent. The definition of "unchurched" is those who have not been in church during the past six months or those who only attend weddings or funerals or services at Christmas or Easter. Think about the challenge we have to create warm, welcoming worship gatherings for people who are unchurched.

Newsweek Publishes Letter from Adventist

The June 7, 2004, edition of Newsweek magazine includes a letter from Richard Utt, retired book editor for Pacific Press. Utt's letter starts with the statement, "While most Americans recoil in horror at the idea of torturing Iraqis or anybody else, LeHaye and Jenkins seem to joyfully proclaim coming torture and eternal suffering for those who disagree with them." After pointing out that the character of Jesus is libeled by those who predict eternal suffering in a lake of fire, Utt proclaims, "As a lifelong Christian believer, I could never enjoy eternal life in heaven knowing that the God I worship is guilty of carrying out unspeakable tortures in hell even as I sing praises to him and his love." Amen!

Paul Richardson, Center for Creative Ministry director