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Churchgoers say they can go it alone, but they also need others

September 26, 2019 By Illinois Baptist Staff

A LifeWay Research survey uncovered contradictory info about modern churchgoers and biblical community: 65% say they can walk with God without other believers, but an even larger number–75%–say they need other believers to help them grow in their faith.

The findings are at odds with each other, says Southwestern Seminary’s Kenneth Priest, and the issue is a lack of discipleship—one that the church should seek to repair.

“The ‘needing, yet not needing’ responses demonstrate an internal turmoil of individuals desiring community, but not seeing the church as the place to have those needs met.”

Priest said “spiritual apathy” in the pews is due in part to a lack of pastors who are equipped to help their members apply God’s word to their lives, resulting in confusion or a belief that the church can’t meet their spiritual needs.

>More likely to say they need other believers: Southerners, younger churchgoers, and evangelical Protestants

>More likely to say they can walk with God withou other believers: Women, African Americans

Priest said some Christians are missing out on something essential to their growth as a disciple of Jesus.

“Solo Christianity is an inward desire to seek after spiritual matters without the realization biblical community is what will fulfill the desire they are seeking.”

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Abuse in the SBC

Former Illinois pastor accused; two relationships occurred in youth ministry in 2002

Illinois Baptist Staff

Former Illinois pastor Wes Feltner is accused by two women of abusive relationships, one of them sexual, when he was their youth minister in Indiana 17 years ago. The charges came to light as Feltner is lead candidate for the pastorate of First Baptist Church of Clarksville, Tennessee. The story was reported by the Clarksville […]

Longtime Chicago pastor resigns; sexual abuse prior to ministry among reasons

Illinois Baptist Staff

Charles Lyons resigned as pastor of Armitage Baptist Church in Chicago following what church leaders called a “corrective leave of absence” that began in October 2018. Read…

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