The State of the Christian Church in America

"Why Have All The People Gone:

The State of the Christian Church in America."
Published: November 2009, Publish America

ISBN: 978-1-4489-9181-5 Paperback $24.95
http://www.publishamerica.net/product16894.html
ISBN: 978-1-4512-4297-3 PAperback $9.95
http://www.publishamerica.net/product21686.html

As Church involvement declines across America, Church-goers are asking where the people have gone? But the real question is not: Where, but, Why. Beginning with what is identified as the Privatization of Faith, Rev. Jonasen highlights 10 consequences of such a privatized faith, and what impact they are having on how the Church is defined by Church-goers and non-Church-goers alike. Things such as idolatry of the building and traditions, denominational arrogance, worship wars, failure to engage in lifelong learning, lukewarm outreach, checkbook vs. Good Book battles, poor social ministry emphasis, unrealistic demands, the desire for warm fuzzies, and the failure to embrace the true cost of discipleship. These concerns each represent a significant problem which is often denied and most certainly undermines the Church’s ability to answer its true calling. In his book, Rev. Jonasen exposes these problems and invites us into a conversation which seeks to discover solutions.

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Born out of a deep concern for what is happening in the Church, this book is the result of a project that I have been working on for a number of years, and it has had the support and encouragement of numerous people representing several denominational groups from Lutheran to Reformed Baptist, from Evangelical Covenant to Roman Catholic, from Presbyterian to Non-Denominational--both clergy and layperson alike, all across the United States (and even some in Canada). In the writing of it, I have sought the input and critique, questions and challenges of many, many people. It is a book that I hope will be able to encourage an all new dialogue around the question of: "Why Have All The People Gone?" Admittedly, it is in places, highly critical of some of the things that are happening--or, more appropriately, not happening. But, the focus is not intended to point fingers or assess blame. The focus--based on my study, research and experience serving the church in several parts of the country and in several different ways--is to reveal what I have come to believe is the core problem, what I refer to in the book as the "Privatization of Faith," (i.e., the inability and/or unwillingness of the people in the pews to share the faith). Following that, the book goes on to identify ten significant consequences that can, and often do, result from the Privatization of Faith, beginning with idolatry of the building, etc.

I invite you to join in this very important conversation!

Rev. "Pastor Marvin" R. Jonasen