Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except
there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
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Christian men: Faith not a challenge
Promise Keepers survey shows 60% 'marginally satisfied' with church

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38236

Posted: April 28, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Ron Strom
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

A newly released survey commissioned by Promise Keepers shows Christian men
don't see issues of faith and spirituality as challenges in their lives,
focusing more on family, work and health concerns.

The poll, conducted by California-based Barna Research Group, found 85
percent of Christian men are not "spiritually challenged," according to a
statement from Promise Keepers, a Colorado-based men's organization.

Rather than issues regarding their faith or spiritual growth, respondents
said family and children (42 percent) are a top "challenge" in their lives,
along with career/money (39 percent) and health concerns (20 percent). Just
one in eight said spirituality was a challenge to focus on.

Steve Chavis, communications director for Promise Keepers, said the results
were indicative of men's tendency to strictly divide issues in their lives.

Chavis told WND: "Our analysis of [the data] says as men are known to
compartmentalize, we look at the end result - the money, the family - but
we're actually talking about spiritual issues, but we don't necessarily make
that connection.

"Challenges of being a better Christian, reading the Bible more, being more
effective in evangelism showed up marginally in the survey."

In addition, the survey showed nearly six in 10 Christian men are
"marginally satisfied" with their church experience.

"It's certainly clear to us that we have a great mission field in front of
us in reaching the men of America," said Tom Fortson, Ph.D., president and
CEO of Promise Keepers, in the statement. "Much, much more needs to be done
to engage men with their spiritual side, and then to see them make an impact
on their families, churches and communities. We've only scratched the
surface."

Though the survey found most men had at least three good friends who were
believers, just 42 percent said they would turn to Christian friends during
a time of crisis.

The men's group said it was pleased that 68 percent of respondents had heard
of Promise Keepers.

"We are gratified that so many men who call themselves Christians or who
attend church know about our work," Fortson said. "Still, we are looking for
ways to expand our influence not only in the church, but into the broader
society as well."

The poll included 415 men chosen randomly and 200 men from Promise Keepers'
own constituent files. All of the respondents identified themselves as
"born-again Christian" or "active church attenders." They hailed from Los
Angeles, Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Baltimore and Atlanta.

Maranatha,
David
www.soundanalarm.net