Worship-04A-Announcements

WANDERING SOUL, LONELY HEART &
THE SIDE-TRACKED CHURCH

With Quotes from First- and Second-Century Christians

THOSE BORING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Famous Theologians

About 450, Augustine - PRE-CATHOLIC: "...that not the voice alone may praise, but the works too....So, too, do thou whensoever thou singest 'Halleluia,' deal forth thy bread to the hungry, clothe the naked, take in the stranger: then doth not only thy voice sound, but thy hand soundeth in harmony with it, for thy deeds agree with thy words. (Expositions on the Psalms: Psalm CXLIX)

About 1370, THOMAS AQUINAS - CATHOLIC: "To assist a man against any distress that is due to an extrinsic cause comes to the same as the ransom of captives." (Summa Theologica, Secunda Secundae Partis)

About 1536, JOHN CALVIN - REFORMED CHURCHES:� "The closer the relation the more frequent our offices of kindness should be...more duties in common between those who are more nearly connected by the ties of relationship, or friendship, or neighborhood.� And this is done without any offence to God, by whose providence we are in a manner impelled to do it" (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, 8:44).

About 1682, JOHN BUNYAN - BAPTIST:� "If thy faith be not accompanied by a holy life, thou shalt be judged...a sounding brass and a tinking cymbal.� For, they say, shew us your faith by your works, for we cannot see your heart....This is the man also that provokes others to good works.� The ear that heareth such a man shall bless him....What do men meddle with religion for?� Why do they call themselves by the name of the Lord Jesus?...God, therefore expecteth fruit....Let them work, or get them out; the vineyard must have laborers in it....A church, then...not place where the workers...may hide." (The Works of John Bunyan, "Christian Behavior" and "The Doom and Downfall of the Fruitless Professor").

About 1721, MATTHEW HENRY - PRESBYTERIAN:� "Those that are not able to help...with their purses should help them with their pains...lend them a hand....Lazarus in his distress had nothing of his own...no relation to go to, nor did the [church] take care of him.� It is an instance of the degeneracy of the Jewish church at this time that such a godly man as Lazarus was should be suffered to perish....He was hard-hearted to God's poor, and therefore he...has judgment without mercy and falls under a punishment" (Commentary, Vol. V, Luke 11:19f and Luke 10).

1859, 1872, 1875, CHARLES SPURGEON - BAPTIST:� "The worst part of the Christian church...lost their hearts.� Step into your churches and chapels, everything is orderly and precious; but where is the life?...You cannot pray well for those you know nothing about....They fuss about that wonderful point in the fourth verse of the fifteenth chapter of this and that, but no soup kitchen brings down upon them the blessings of the poor....We think our nose detects the faintest possible smell of hypocrisy in all this....To sunder ourselves in sympathy from our fellow-men is certainly inhuman, and therefore it can hardly be divine" (The New Park Street Pulpit Sermons pg. 277, Sermons in the Metropolitan Pulpit pg. 258,� The Sword and the Trowel pg. 328).

�� Oh Jesus, you did so much for me.� You didn't have to leave heaven, but you did for me.� You didn't have to take the persecution for being so good, but you did for me.� You didn't have to die such an excruciating death, but you did for me.� You didn't have to descend to hell and then break out again, but you did, for me.� How can I ever repay you?

�� Our wedding was part of the closing announcements one Sunday night.� We had both been widowed and decided that, in this busy world, we did not want to inconvenience our friends who struggle even to make it to young people's first weddings.

�� During the closing announcements, we disappeared into a couple of side rooms along with our best man and matron of honor (an elder and his wife).� Meanwhile, when the man was through with the ordinary announcements, he just told everyone, "Dick and Kathryn are now going to get married, so you may be seated if you'd like to stay and share in their joy."

�� Nearly everyone sat back down.� What an exciting announcement!� And they were part of it.� The podium was moved, an old fashioned wedding song was sung, then we walked out and got married in front of probably 300 friends.�

�� See there!� Announcements don't really have to be so bad after all.

�� Come on now, you may be thinking.� That was different.� Announcements?� How boring can you get?� For the rest of us, there is no way you can ever make the regular announcements interesting.� Tolerable maybe.� But never interesting.�

�� They're a waste of time, anyway.� Nobody pays any attention to them.� It just gives a job to one of the men so they can do something in public.� That's all.

�� We have all experienced the frustration with the announcements.� Often, all this person does is stand in front of us and read the bulletin.� Ever feel like he should just say, "Let us all together stand and all together read the announcements"?

�� Get ready for a surprise.� A surprise like you've never experienced before regarding Christian worship.� A delightful surprise!� A surprise full of serendipity, fascination, victory.

�� All that?� Get real.

�� But that's been the problem all along.� We've never gotten real.� The announcements mean nothing to us.� Nothing because we've never participated in them.

�� God, I think things would be much more holy in worship if we didn't break the spell, so to speak, by talking about each other.� Putting in the bulletin who is sick is enough.� Don't you agree?

Where's the Beef?

�� Why do we gather together with other Christians in the first place?� Technically, we could do everything alone that is a part of our worship services.� We could sing alone, read the Bible alone, pray alone, listen to a tape of someone preaching alone, even keep the Lord's supper alone.� People who say they can worship God just as well walking through the woods would be right if these are the only reasons for our gatherings.

�� But there is one thing we cannot do alone.� It is explained in Hebrews 10.� It is the reason we are told to gather together.

WHO?�� CHRISTIANS - VERSE 22:� "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

WHAT?�� REMAIN FAITHFUL - VERSE 23:� "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

HOW?�� ENCOURAGE - VERSE 24:� "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

WHEN?�� GATHER - VERSE 25:� "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

WHY?�� SALVATION - VERSE 26:� "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left."

�� Have you ever wondered why so many congregations are relatively inactive out in the world around them?� The plain answer is that we're teaching by example that Christianity is an inactive, passive state of being.

�� We teach, by our example, that Christianity is (1) going to a building, (2) listening, (3) talking, (4) going home.� For all the world knows, they see us entering a building and coming out again.� We are not any different, and they are not any different.� No wonder people of the world think Christianity is boring.� If that is all we do, then it is.

�� We must show each other how to express love and be filled with good works (God said that!), and then encourage each other to actually do them (God said that too).� Otherwise we sin wilfully (and God said that); there no longer remains a sacrifice for our sins but rather a terrifying judgment.� Remember, the devils know all about God and believe and tremble (James 2:19), and it does not benefit them anything.�

�� We must put behind us always being a learner.� Just being at the church building "every time the doors are open" is being a "hearer of the word and not a doer...like unto a man who beholds his natural face in a glass; for he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was" (James 1:23, 24 KJV).

�� Sacrifice was part of worship under the Law of Moses for the Jews.� It is still part of worship under Jesus' law for Christians.� There we "offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name."� But this is not all, for we are also urged to "not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased"; (Hebrews 13:15, 16).

�� The worship service is only the beginning of our service.� Romans 12:1 tells us to "offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." The King James Version states that it is "your reasonable service."� It is only reasonable to expect a Christian to be full of acts of kindness and to encourage others to be also.� This is the fulfillment of worship to God.

�� Matthew 7:16 and 20 both quote Jesus as saying, "By their fruit you will recognize them." John 15:16 says Jesus' followers were appointed to "go and bear fruit - fruit that will last."

�� Romans 7:4 and 5 explains the difference in what we use our bodies for as Christians compared with non-Christians:� "So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, IN ORDER THAT WE MIGHT BEAR FRUIT TO GOD.� For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death."

�� Is our congregation bearing fruit?� Do we claim to be Christ-like?� Jesus said in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches.� If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."� Is our congregation apart from Jesus?� Has it been accomplishing nothing in the name of Jesus?�

�� Jesus went on to warn in verse 6:� "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."� Jesus said we must bring forth fruit.� He commanded it.

�� Let us not be one of those to whom he said,"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.� Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'� Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.� Away from me, you evildoers' "(Matthew 7:21-23).

�� Right or wrong, we are in an instant society.� We have instant potatoes, instant cataract removal, instant weather forecasts, instant startup of our cars, instant music at the flick of a switch, instant microwave cooking.

�� Right or wrong, people want what they are searching for in church instantly also.� People are church hopping, looking for an instant feeling of being accepted by the congregation and of being accepted by God.� They may give a congregation one week or one months, but they won't stick around much longer if they're really serious about their search.

�� The only problem with this is that they become tired of always being the visitor and never belonging, and so most eventually settle for a congregation that will turn them into a clone, or they quit searching altogether and stay home on Sundays.

�� God, I'm glad we have a preacher who talks to us about our good works.� Most of us don't have time to do them, but we can slip in one or two every once in awhile.� We know our preacher means well.

From the Horse's Mouth

�� In his book, WHAT AMERICANS BELIEVE:� AN ANNUAL SURVEY OF VALUES AND RELIGIOUS VIEWS IN THE UNITED STATES, George Barna reported that less than half of Americans strongly believe the Christian faith is relevant to the way they live.� More disturbing is the fact that this figure applied equally to people who are regular church attenders. [1]

�� Since some people separate the Christian faith with the church, the same question was asked about the church:� Do you strongly agree that the churches in your area are relevant to the way you live today?

�� Startlingly - or maybe it shouldn't surprise us - only 28% of the entire population agree that the churches are relevant to their lives.� Of regular church attenders, 34% think churches are relevant to the way they live.� Of those who never, ever attend church, only 10% think churches are relevant to the way they live. [2]

�� On the average, regular church attenders miss attending church about half the time; that is, only half the membership of any congregation is likely to be there on any Sunday morning.

�� In Barna's survey, of people who said they had not attended church in the past month, 63% had not attended for a year or more. [3]

�� So, why do people attend church?� Less than half of regular church attenders attend to worship God.� The next most important reason given for attending church was to become a better person. [4]

�� Of those who regularly attend church, only half believe the preaching impacts the way they live.� Also, only half of regular attenders believe the congregation is friendly. [5]

�� In his book, A GENERATION OF SEEKERS:� THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS OF THE BABY BOOM GENERATION, Wade Clark Roof reported throughout his book the religious questions that people are typically seeking to be answered by the church:

1.�� Where is God when I need him?

2.�� What is moral and immoral?

3.�� Aren't my parents' values good enough?

4.�� Can't I be a Christian in my home?

5.�� Why aren't churches concerned with social justice and community problems?

6.�� Why are churches so boring and lifeless?

7.�� Do churches have to be so prejudiced against women?

8.�� Can I find a more fulfilling life with the church?

9.�� Can I exercise my individualism in church?

10.�� What is truth?

11.�� Can the church help me understand myself better?

12.�� Can the church help me fulfill my potential?

13.�� How can I trust the church?

14.�� Why doesn't the church get involved in the community more?

15.�� Why is the church so impotent?

16.�� Why shouldn't I be suspicious of the church?

17.�� Why so much ritualism which it is so death-like to the spirit?

18.�� Is there a church anywhere who can make a difference in people's lives?

19.�� Can I have immediacy in my religion?

20.�� Can I encounter God and people on the feeling basis?

21.�� Are there any churches that exist in the real world?

�� Mr. Roof summarizes, "Just showing up and going through the motions is what many boomers abhor about churchgoing." [6]�

�� Highly active seekers are trying to find a church where they are personally involved and feel fulfilled with their involvement.� One third of seekers said, "I feel the need to find more excitement and sensation in my life." [7]� They want a church to be a warm, supportive place over against a world that is very dangerous and corrupt." [8]

�� People who dropped out of the church in their youth, tend to return for the following reasons:

1.�� To have a family experience

2.�� To provide moral standards for children

3.�� To work out marital and family problems

4.�� To ease some of the suffering in the world

5.�� To fill feelings of emptiness

6.�� To fill the need to belong [9]

�� One minister said this:� "I think people are lonely.� I think people's lives feel empty and dead for a lot of people, no matter how much money they have.� I mean we haven't developed a middle-class theology to address our emptiness....then we stick them on a committee....There's a gap in there." [10]

�� Another minister said, "What really matters is how you treat people in the here and now, because that's really the only thing, despite what religion teaches you, that you can ever really know about.� You don't know why you're here, and you don't know what happens when you die, and so you sort of have to make the best of what you have now." [11]

�� Church dropouts and those who hold back from affiliating with any congregation put great stress on getting their personal needs met as the reason why they'd go back to church.� They want the emphasis to be on feelings, awareness of needs, freedom, and spirituality. [12]

�� People are saying they dropped out of church and even quit looking elsewhere because of boring and uninspiring worship services, stiff people in the pews, lifeless programs, cold and unfriendly atmosphere. [13]

�� When people refer to a church they can relate to and feel a part of, it is nearly always in relation to what goes on in the church "basement" - small groups sharing and doing things.

�� People feel churches have lost "spirituality" which they generally define as genuine connectedness between religion and everyday life.� "The struggle is to get beyond the facade, the external shell of religion, to its 'embodiment,' or the link between spirituality and responsible action....Boomers are willing to make commitments that express their deepest convictions; what they have difficulty doing is giving of themselves to programs and causes that do not connect with their own lives." [14]

�� Forty-eight per cent of liberal protestants and 76% of conservative protestants say that churches have lost spirituality.� The disillusionment is indeed widespread.�

�� "Boomers will commit themselves to religious activities and organizations, including traditional congregations, where they feel there is some authentic connection with their lives and experiences." [15]

�� You know, God, I think the same way.� But there isn't a church anywhere that is like this.� It's impossible in these days when people are always rushing.� An hour on Sunday can't include everything.

A Few Moments in Time

�� Oh, we know what you're leading up to, you may be thinking, not sure you want to keep reading.� Forgetting our own craving for "feeling" our religion and making a difference in the world with it, we turn right around and say, "Well, don't expect me to put any time into this.� I'm already overloaded.� Up at 5:30 every morning, to bed at midnight.� I can't handle any more obligations."

�� So, what we're basically doing is saying, "I want what takes time to do, but I don't have the time to do it.� I want instant spirituality.� I want it automatically by osmosis."� That, in turn, adds to our feelings of guilt over a religion we cannot spend time with.

�� This is a busy rush, rush world full of time savers that our ancestors never had; but still they ended up with more leisure than we have.� Indeed, Christians in previous generations had a sense of "feeling" their religion more than we do.� In a few moments a modern solution to this problem will be suggested; but first let us look at how previous generations found time to "feel" their religion.� In those generations most women stayed home whether or not they had children (unless, of course, they were the sole bread winner).�

�� So, what did the women do during all that time?� Those who went to church got involved in "church work."� They went to ladies Bible classes once a week, often combined with luncheons and a group project for the needy.� Before, during, or after those classes, they discussed the needs of their own congregation and anyone in the community they knew about.� Those, by the way, were the "announcements."� But there was more than just talk.

�� On their own or in twos, these women went out into their community and busily met those needs.� That was then.� This is now.� Things are different now.� Indeed they are.� Time is at a premium, and we're so caught up in all there is to do, we sometimes get lost in the forest and just wander, not even knowing we are.

�� Well, that's the kind of world we've created.� So, rather than jump into drastic changes, let's work with what we have - a few moments in time.� Those moments will be on Sunday....

�� Okay, we've gotten up when our neighbors were still in bed or at least still in their pajamas.� We got into the car, stopped at a fast-food place for a donut and coffee to go, and slipped into the church parking lot just before worship begins.� So far, so good.

�� Now, what are we going to spend this time in worship services doing?� Let's look at it from the point of view of visitors.� They walk in and watch and listen.� For an hour they watch and listen.� They don't feel any different about the life they're going back to.� They haven't been convinced in that one hour that anyone really cares about each other, let alone about the strange visitor.

�� That instant sense of belonging they crave from the congregation is not there.� That instant sense of connecting with God and that God really cares about what's going on in their daily life is not there.� They arrive and they leave in their perpetual lonely vacuum.

�� According to Hebrews 10 above, we must spend a majority of our time when we meet together encouraging each other to have love and good works.

�� "Like when?" you may be asking, rather impatient by now.� "The singing and sermon take up most of the time we're together."

�� Perhaps we need to reduce the singing.� After all, when Jesus established the Lord's Supper, the most important and divine part of Christian worship, the Bible says they say one hymn (Matthew 26:30).

�� There are things we can do on the spot while we're still with each other.� Wouldn't that break up the formality?� Oh, yes, it would.� But is that bad?� Who said we have to be formal?�

�� A trend that keeps growing in the religious world ~ whether Christian, Buddhist, or whatever ~ is more emotionalism.� People want to feel their religion.� They want immediacy in it.� So they raise their hands, turn around and around, sway, clap their hands, shout, put on dramas ~ anything to feel.

�� Even after this, however, many people finally give up, because it did not really and truly fill that emptiness in their heart, the part of them that wants to feel and experience religion.

�� Why not substitute all the time spent in emotionalism and formalism for some real experiencing?� Experiencing the love of God by giving it and receiving it?� If we don't have time the rest of the week for love and good works, why not do it while we're together?� Are you serious?�

Harmonious Notes of Encouragement

�� Let the person in charge of announcements get up and say, "Here are some people that could use some expressions of love."

�� On the back of each pew have a supply of the following:� (1) Plain white bond paper, (2) envelopes, (3) a directory of members and hospital addresses, preprinted messages on colored bond paper done by a member who writes poetry or prose.

�� Then the announcer says, "These are the people from our congregation who are in the hospital.� Sister Smith just had surgery.� Who would like to send her a note?� Any volunteers?� Okay.� And Brother Jones is still in the nursing home.� Who would like to write him a note?� Any volunteers?� Okay, now, the Greens just had a baby girl.� They named her Candy.� Any volunteers to send them a note?"

�� A few people who want to can raise their hands, and then begin immediately writing their note, or finding a pre-printed get-well note, thinking of you note, sympathy note, or congratulations note.�

�� But it need not stop with the obvious.� The announcer can then open up the newspaper.� "Last week there was an accident on South Main which resulted in Hal Haley and Bryan Bullard going to General Hospital.� Who wants to send them a note?� Any volunteers?

��"On the next page is a story about the Discount Pharmacy being robbed.� The clerk's name was Yvonne Yelton.� The robber's name was Bubba Black.� Who would like to write Yvonne a note expressing our thankfulness that she was not hurt?� Any volunteers?� We have her address in the office, so you do not have to address an envelope.� Any volunteers to send Bubba Black a note telling him that God loves everyone regardless of what they have done?� He is out on bail bond and we have his address in the office also.�

��"On page 5 is the story of the parking garage murder last June.� The man was sentenced to 20 years in prison.� We do not know where he is going yet, but we have his family's address.� Who would like to write to them a note of encouragement?�

�� "On the obituary page, these are from our neighborhood:� George Green age 62, Holly Hamilton age 3, and Fannie Fatima age 91.� Who would like to send a note to the family of George Green?� Any volunteers?� How about Holly Hamilton's family?� Any volunteers for Fannie Fatima's family?

�� "The birth announcement pages contains these from our neighborhood:� A girl to Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Davis and a boy to Mr. and Mrs. Bevis Blue.� Who will send them notes of congratulations?

�� "The engagement pages contain the announcement of Gloria Gonzales to Edward Effingham from our neighborhood.� Who will send them notes?� Also married were Harriet and Harry Hendrix.� Who will send them a note?

�� "Now then.� We obtained the following names from the electric company that Mr. & Mrs. Victor Varnish have just moved into our neighborhood.� Who will volunteer to send them an invitation to church?�

�� "In our congregation next week we will have two birthdays.� Cards to these people are being passed down the aisles now.� Be sure and sign it and pass it on quickly.� If the card is addressed to you, pretend you haven't seen it yet.

�� "In the nursing home down the street, there are three birthdays.� And in the orphan home we send money to there is one birthday.� Those cards are now being circulated also.� Sign them quickly and pass them on.� Oh yes, a Loretta Young off at the university is having a birthday next month and her card is being circulated, along with Harold Shaw who is stationed with the Army in Fort Freight on Mount Ararat.� Be sure to sign their cards."

�� Then allow some time to write.� Five minutes of silence should do it.� If some who are not talented with writing notes would like to begin singing softly during this time, that might be good.

�� Don't discourage the children.� If they want to use some of the paper on the back of the pews to draw on, let them.� Then turn in their picture to be sent to one of the people who has been announced.� What a wonderful opportunity to teach encouragement to your child.

Benevolence

�� But this is not the end of the announcements.� There are other things that need to be done that may require use of the fellowship hall or some classrooms briefly after church services.

�� HUNGRY:� "Next week, we are requesting that everyone bring cans of green beans to place in the barrels in the lobby.� Now, there was a young father who stopped by the building this week who is between jobs and has a family.� He lives over on Second Street.� We have his address.� Do I have any volunteers to go into the pantry after services, bag up what they need, and deliver it and a Bible to them on your way home?"

�� COLD:� "On page two of the newspaper is a family who was burned out a couple nights ago.� We have a list of clothing they need.� Do I have any volunteers to go into our clothes closet and select a few basic items for them?� Anyone?� Raise your hand.� Okay, we have the address of the motel they are staying it.� Can you deliver them along with a Bible on your way home from church?� Anyone with furniture they don't need?� Call us this week with what you have and someone will call them to ask if they need it."��

�� BEREAVED:� "We have contacted the families in our neighborhood listed on the obituary page.� One of them does not have any arrangements to feed the funeral attenders afterwards.� We are volunteering our building.� Who can come at 11:00 next Thursday with some food?� How many volunteers do we have?"

�� DISABLED:� "Sister Conrad is home from the hospital, but is unable to cook for her family.� Do we have any volunteers who will take dishes of food over there this week?� How about Monday?� Tuesday?� Wednesday?� Thursday?"

�� ORPHANED:"The orphan home we support is in need of toys.� We have had some good donations.� But we need to fix them now.� Any volunteers to stay an hour after services and go to the basement to paint and repair?� Come on, men.� We've already lined up dinner for you.� Any volunteers?� Or if you're good at wood carving, sewing, or some other craft, please join the group and spend an hour making new things.� Who would like to help in this way?"

�� WIDOWED: "Several of our single ladies need the oil and other things checked on their cars.� If they will take their cars immediately after services to the west end of the parking lot, some men will be there to help out.� Okay, men.� Do we have any volunteers to help these ladies?"

�� FATHERLESS:� "We have two young men who want to be included in a father-son banquet at school on February 1.� Do we have two volunteers to go with them?� Raise your hand.� There's one.� We need two.� One more volunteer, guys?� And we have a young man who got a 100-pound bow for Christmas.� Do we have an archery buff who will take him out sometimes?"

�� CELEBRATORS:� "As you know, Scott and Janice are getting married next month.� They would like to have some love songs sung by some of you.� Whoever likes to sing on key, meet them in classroom 4B after services.� They will hand out the sheet music to what they want.� They have pizza available to eat.� Then you can go through the songs a couple times.� Who can volunteer your time to practice every Sunday after church for a month?"

�� ABSENTEES:� "In the telephone room are sandwiches and coffee.� While the telephoners are eating, we need people to put our attendance cards from this morning in alphabetic order and determine who was absent.� Then they can eat while the telephoners call to see if there's a problem we can help with, the filers can eat.� Okay, any volunteers to put the cards in order?� We need two.� And volunteers to make phone calls.� It'll only take an hour.� Who can help out there?"

�� TEACHERS:� "In the teachers' work room will be three elementary level teachers needing help cutting out visual aids for next Sunday's class.� Also, one adult class needs help collating and stapling some handouts for next Sunday.� Do we have any volunteers to help out these teachers?� It'll only take a few minutes.� Anyone?" [16]

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Endnotes for This Page

[1].� Barna, George, What Americans Believe, Regal Books, Calif., 1991, pg. 182

[2].� Barna, pg. 185

[3].� Barna, pg. 234-235

[4].� Barna, pg. 257

[5].� Barna, pg. 277-279

[6].� Roof, Wade Clark, A Generation of Seekers:� The Spiritual Journeys of the Baby Boom Generation, HarperSanFrancisco, 1993, pg. 78

[7].� Roof, pg. 81

[8].� Roof, pg. 91

[9].� Roof, pg. 157-160

[10].� Roof, p. 183

[11].� Roof, pg. 187

[12].� Roof, pg. 193

[13].� Roof, pg. 204

[14].� Roof, pg. 235-236

[15].� Roof, pg. 246

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