Few people do a better job of keeping a pulse on the USA than George Gallup, Jr.. He reports a remarkable finding, "The percentage of Americans who say they feel the need in their lives to experience spiritual growth has surged twenty-four points in just four years-from 58% in 1994 to 82% in 1998." 1

To appreciate Gallup's finding fully, one must realize that most of his religious indicators have remained flat or show very modest change over the past several decades. But the felt need for spiritual growth has "surged" in just four years. While we have a secular society, now we also have a growing spiritual culture.

Having a secular society with an interest in spirituality has a lot of avenues to explore. However, here is the bottom line concern: Will this new cultural trend hinder Christianity and undermine the local church or is this a time of opportunity for spiritual growth and outreach? The evaluations and judgments have already started. What should be our response?

Christian Beginnings

The early church received its start and even thrived in societies strongly influenced by Judaism, secularism, and pagan religions. There appears little reason why churches today can't do the same in a secular setting. I believe we have only two options. Churches can either curse the darkness or light a lamp. It's not healthy nor beneficial to bemoan our cultural conditions and withdraw into the four walls of our facilities. Rather, the second option is the better one.

Churches need wisdom like that possessed by the tribe of Issachar who joined their forces with King David. These were "men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do" (1 Chronicles 12:32). Church leaders should study and understand our times and cultures. They should see the opportunities and light a lamp so that people can find the Lord and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Understanding the Times

Little effort is needed to look around and see the signs of the times. The topic of spirituality has become ubiquitous. For example, a headline in a recent issue of the Houston Chronicle flashes, "Searching for Spirituality." 2 The article goes on to say, "For many, the quest for good physical and mental health begins with contemplation, meditation, prayer and other life-enhancing rituals." Similar articles are popular in newspapers, magazines, and journals.

Marketing experts have revealed one of their best crystal balls for reading the culture. A writer for American Demographics magazine observes, "The share of Americans who believe in some sort of divine power has remained constant for decades. Likewise, churchgoing rates haven't done anything noticeable in recent years. So, how do we know a spiritual renaissance is underway? In a word, it's books." 3

Book sales give marketing specialists an inside look at what occupies the mind and interest of Americans. And the sales of religious and spiritual titles has skyrocketed into the fastest growing category. Book sales are like a good cultural soothsayer. "Books are diagnostic not of what we say we are doing, but of what we really are doing with our time and inside our respective interiors." 4

Nothing reveals the national interest more visually than television programs. There is a long lineup of shows with a spiritual context such as Touched by an Angel, It's a Miracle, and Beyond Chance. In addition, there have been several popular specials like Moyers' Genesis: A Living Conversation and Hugh Hewitt's Searching for God in America. Programs like these wouldn't have been popular or politically correct 10 or 15 years ago.

From Whence Does It Come?

What is the source of this new surge of spiritual interest? A recent issue of Newsweek has the title, "Science Finds God." The supporting article reports that "a wave of scientists and believers says discoveries about the universe support spirituality-and hint at the very nature of God." 5 Science has truly become more friendly to the unexplainable.

If I had to identify just one of several major contributors to our changed cultural environment, it would be quantum physics. Newtonian physics gave a view of the universe as a closed system where everything could be explained by cause and effect. With quantum physics, you have a new world view of the universe as an open system that allows room for a metaphysical reality – God or a divine power.

As more friendly scientific discoveries have surfaced, we see a trickle down effect. A tolerant view of human spirituality is now accepted by other forms of science such as psychology and medicine. In 1996 the Yankelovich Group surveyed attendees of the American Academy of Family Physicians' annual meeting and they “found a remarkable 99 percent of them thought religious faith helps patients respond to treatment." 6 The trickle down has filtered into the general population. And we now have a broad public search for spiritual fulfillment.

A Dark Side?

Does a secular society with a spiritual culture have any downside? That is an important question, but some things should be obvious. If it's a popular quest for spirituality, then it's certainly not informed by scripture or reality. This new wave hasn't produced an increase in church membership nor attendance. People are looking, but they are turning to all kinds of sources for help such as New Age, yoga, Eastern religions, etc.

Observers have questioned the depth and vitality of the new quest. Does it really make any difference in people's lives? The trend has been compared to the Red River that runs between Texas and Oklahoma. At certain points it's a "mile wide and an inch deep." That accurately describes the culture according to one marketing consultant. "It's practical and personal, more about stress reduction than salvation, more therapeutic than theological. It's about feeling good, not being good. It's as much about the body as the soul." 7

This represents just a small sample of the criticisms of today's spiritually charged culture. However, the real issue for Christians is: Are there any opportunities made available to us for the cause of Christ? Are there any points of contact with the lost provided to us by a changed culture? Some of the best cultural analysts believe the times are ripe with opportunity.

George Gallup, Jr. thoroughly explores the conditions of our spiritual culture in The Next American Spirituality. He is very straightforward about the opportunities he sees for the church. "We will argue in this book that communities of faith – and our culture – nevertheless stand poised at a threshold fraught with promise. We believe that in the new century the church, God's people all over the world, can play a key role in reshaping life as we know it." 8 He further observes, “As America's epic soul quest continues, our culture's spiritual curiosity in turn will present the church with an evangelistic moment when have people in our culture ever been so open to conversation about angels and the afterlife?" 9

Light a Lamp

We truly need to understand the culture we reside in, darkside and all. But rather than cursing the darkness with endless criticisms, let's light a lamp for the cause of Christ. That lamp is needed as much by our Christian brethren as by the masses.

Church leaders are learning the value of conducting periodic needs analysis surveys. A comprehensive survey at my home congregation was deeply revealing of Christian concerns. An analysis of 614 adults uncovered that their number one felt need was a desire for "enriching their spiritual life" and the number one area they were requesting church help was for "Starting a daily quiet time." The results were compared to another congregation on the East Coast and the findings were identical. I believe you could discover a similar result in your church – members are hungering to know how to draw closer to God and they want help.

The best way to light the first lamp is to start a prayer ministry in your church. If you already have one, expand it and give it a very high priority. The aim of this article isn't to outline a prayer ministry, but at the end you will find a bibliography to start your study and preparation. Remember, prayer begins with the church leaders and is imitated by the members.

One major objective of a prayer ministry is the encouragement for each member to develop a personal quiet time with the Lord. Personal and corporate prayer is just the environment that allows God to break through and do extraordinary things in and for your congregation.

Gallup observes, "The vast majority of Americans believe in the power of prayer, pray frequently and believe prayers are answered. The vast foundation for a revitalized faith therefore would appear to be in place." 10 A dynamic prayer ministry can renew your members, and prayer is a major contact point with lost folks in a spiritually charged culture. Let's light a lamp!

ENDNOTE

1 George Gallup, Jr., Surveying the Religious Landscape. (Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing, 1999), p.1.

2 David N. Elkins, "Searching for Spirituality," Houston Chronicle, 29 December 1999, 3 (D).

3 Jennifer Harrison, "Advertising Joins the Journey of the Soul," American Demographics, June 1997, 25.

4 Ibid., p.26.

5 Sharon Begley, "Science Finds God," Newsweek, 20 July 1998, 3.

6 Richard Cimins, "Choosing My Religion," American Demographics, April 1999, 63.

7 Ibid., p.62.

8 George Gallup, Jr., The Next American Spirituality. (ColoradoSprings: Cook Communications, 2000), pp.24-25.

9 Ibid., p.37.

10 George Gallup, Jr., Surveying the Religious Landscape, p.5.

Suggested Reading for Personal Renewal

Foster, Richard J. Devotional Classics. Harper Collins, 1990.

_________ Celebration of Discipline. Harper & Row, 1978.

Lawrence, Brother. The Practice of the Presence of God. Whitaker House, 1982.

Peace, Richard. Meditative Prayer. Navpress, 1998.

Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy. Harper Collins, 1998.

Suggested Reading for Church Renewal

Fulenwider, Ray. The Prayer Driven Church. College Press, 2000.

Martin, Glen. Power House. Broadman, 1994.

Maxwell, John. Partners in Prayer. Nelson, 1996.

Miller, Herb. Connecting with God. Abingdon, 1994.