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Revolution
: I read the book twice. After the first reading I was so enthused about the emergence of a new "first century" style of church that it gave me pause. So I went through the second time more carefully to glean the pertinent facts and figures. I have long trusted George Barna as a researcher, and his thorough research is certainly evident here as he describes the Church as it may exist under the leadership of the Baby Busters and Mosaics. I would call this book a "must read" for anyone who is serious about their relationship with Jesus Christ.
This book earmarks the coming movement in Christianity. It's a trend out of the established church system into a simpler way of Christian gathering that is much more defined by Scripture. I agree with some of the other reviewers that this book should be read along with Frank Viola's work especially Pagan Christianity. The latter gives the historical and Biblical support for Barna's investigative research.
 In this book Barna observes and predicts the coming unhitching of the most committed group of believers from the church. The best chapter is 7. It is the most helpful chapter in the book. This is a small book that can be read or skimmed quickly.
George Barna's work has to always be understood through the filters and definitions he uses. The prognosis always rises or falls on the strengths and weaknesses of these filters, as is true with any type of surveying work. The basic point of the book is that there is an uber-class of Christians who are tired of the plodding, uneven, unwieldy church and are ready to strike out on their own. They are smarter, more committed, better organized and more on target than the church and shout "lead, follow or get out of the way..." Barna imagines this movement will morph into something ultimately helpful which may revive the church...
A few things come to mind in thinking about this book.
1. Is this book autobiographical? Is Barna finally completely fed up with this thing we call the church? You can feel his frustration.
2. The book feels pretty boomerish, not traditionalist (obviously) nor emergent. We've seen major shifts in church along boomer lines for two decades now. The spirit of the revolutionaries feels charged with optimism about what focused men with enough energy, money and will can do.
3. Most of the time we think we've got "the formula" we discover how far we fall short. Modern western Christian history is littered with individuals and communities that had "the formula", only to have it unwind into the mundane or explode.
4. The strength of Barna's work is to help us see why old things are indeed passing away. I think some of what he sees in terms of contours for the future are helpful, but I think don't think this uber-class will find what they're looking for. I think we'll all keep muddling.
Of all the people to write about the post-modern (I hesitate to use that adjective) movement. For some reason, Barna was one of them. I just had the impression that he was swept away in the market your church well and grow it campaign. However, in this book, Barna reveals some startling statistics of the "capital C" Church that makes even me quiver. He reveals how "revolutionaries" are not caught in the church malaise and are finding ways to see significant life change in people previously uninterested in the Gospel. After dishing out the current state of the church, he offers new trends that he sees as influential - perhaps (from his opinion) essential - to the future being the hope of this world. I know, I know, the house church movement has its issues...and there are people out there who see their work as "slitting or divisive in the church."
But, so did the religious people of Jesus day. Are we really seeing life change? Is your life changing? Why or Why not? When I read the stories of Jesus - I see a person who is interested in ONE thing - humanity in life changing, soul surrendering, radical living relationship with God. I know one thing - I want to be a revolutionary.
That is were Barna took me in his latest addition to his collection.
 Barna has written a book about a very serious subject but has trivialized it by rushing into print with it before he really understood the scope of his subject. He claims to have studied the scriptures on the subject but there is a glaring lack of any serious reference to what the biblical pattern for the church really is. Barna's approach is phenomenological. The fact that something is happening becomes its own validation. It's as if someone were to conclude that staying in bed on Sunday morning is more comfortable and satisfying than getting up and going to church. That which is found to be comfortable and satisfying is judged to be valid on that basis alone.
That which Barna finds to be flaws of the contemporary church are mostly quite true, but as compared to what standard? Barna also falls for the fallacy that says there is no detailed instruction given in the New Testament for the church as to structure, leadership, etc. Barna correctly nails the church on a number of points but on the flimsiest of evidence. Those who are looking for a biblical critique of the contemporary church and a biblical model of what it should be would be better advised to look else where than Barna's superficial effort. Eg., Wolfgang Simson's Houses That Change the World or Rutz's Megashift.
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