UK Christians concerned about becoming Christlike

Langham Partnership International is encouraging Christians not to be put off becoming Christlike.

A survey of nearly 2,000 British evangelicals found that more than half (54%) are concerned that "becoming Christlike will increasingly alienate Christians from the culture around them".

Peter Brierley, who carried out the survey also suggested a "lack of priority in evangelism", after around three-quarters (76%) of lay evangelicals were found to have been Christians for more than 20 years.

Further underpinning his view, evangelism was identified as only the fourth most important key dimension of church life, out of six options.

The Bible is still deemed to have a significant influence on faith development and shaping attitudes to the family and world, and prayer is widespread, with 71% of the laity praying every day.

The majority of lay evangelicals also said their faith had grown in the past year as a result of fellowship and church teaching in services or house groups.

Commenting on concerns about Christlikeness, executive director at Langham Ian Buchanan said it was not clear whether the data reflected an "uncomfortable hesitation" or simply an "understandable confirmation that most Christians are aware of the fact that their ongoing transformation will inevitably put them at odds with the growing post-Christian culture" in the UK.

"Langham Partnership would like to think that it is the latter response that is emerging in the church but only time will tell just how well the church in the UK responds to cultural change on our islands," he said.

"Certainly the call of the gospel for God's people to become salt and light in their region of the world, for the sake of God's mission, has not been rescinded."

The survey was carried out for Langham to mark the launch of a major new campaign encouraging Christians to go deeper in their faith and discipleship during 2013.

Church leaders share their thoughts on Christlikeness alongside other free resources at www.9aday.org.uk

News
Which type of tree did Zacchaeus actually climb?
Which type of tree did Zacchaeus actually climb?

20 April is the feast day of Zacchaeus of Jericho. We all know the account of Zacchaeus climbing a tree to see Jesus. However, it turns out not to have been a sycamore tree at all. This is the story …

Joseph Duggar of '19 Kids and Counting' arrested for child molestation
Joseph Duggar of '19 Kids and Counting' arrested for child molestation

Former “19 Kids and Counting” star Joseph Duggar, whose older brother Josh Duggar is currently serving time in prison for receiving and possessing child pornography, has been arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

Bangladesh Christian leaders express cautious hope under new government
Bangladesh Christian leaders express cautious hope under new government

Bangladesh’s new government has prompted cautious optimism among Christian leaders, who say recent political changes offer a potential opening for greater religious freedom even as concerns remain over security, justice and political pressure.

Scotland’s assisted suicide vote: a temporary victory?
Scotland’s assisted suicide vote: a temporary victory?

It will be interesting to see if the Scottish government goes down the route of investing in quality palliative care, or whether Liam McArthur's defeated assisted suicide bill is simply resurrected in another form.