Dan Kimball – continued

The second three hours of the seminar with Dan Kimball focuses on common perceptions of the church and of Christians by those outside of it and things that might draw them into a church. Most of this came straight from his book, but we had the opportunity to discuss it. Most of what Dan Kimball wrote came from his own experience in talking with those outside the church, but since his book came out lots of studies have been published which support his conclusions. So while I’ve posted these before, it doesn’t hurt to refresh:

So here are some common perceptions of the church (and yes they hurt—some because they are true and others because they are not!):

1) The church is organized religion with a right-wing political agenda
2) Christians are judgmental and negative
3) the church is male-dominated and oppresses females
4) Christians are homophobic
5) The church arrogantly claims all other religions are wrong
6) The church is full of fundamentalists who take all parts of the Bible literally

Nonetheless, these people are generally positive about Jesus (at least from what they know of him) and say they would be open to attending/visiting a church IF:
1) not only a lecture but a discussion
2) respect my intelligence
3) weren’t only about the church building
4) less programmed and allowed time to think and pray
5) a more loving place
6) the church cared for the poor and the environment
7) taught more about Jesus

Come to think of it—those are pretty stinging judgments on the church also! Shouldn’t we be all of those things!