Go Figure

Compiled by Ted Olsen

Recent numbers on mainline and the megachurch, secular Jews, church background checks, and pastors who don’t see themselves as such.

Other Religions

35% American Jews who identify as nonreligious or secular.

20% American Jews who said this 19 years ago.

6% Americans in general who say this.

Source: The Washington Times

Mainline

29% Megachurch pastors who were brought up in a mainline church.

13% Megachurch pastors who lead a mainline church.

Source: Leadership Network

Crime

1 in 8 Of 5,000 church background checks on volunteers or prospective employees, those that found a criminal history that might have kept a person from serving.

Source: Lifeway Christian Resources

Church life

How megachurch pastors describe their job:

81%: Preacher-teacher

51%: Directional leader

33% Visionary

16% Pastor

Source: Leadership Network

Related Elsewhere:

See our earlier Go Figure postings from September 2009, August 2009, July 2009, June 2009, May 2009, April 2009, March 2009, February 2009, January 2009, December 2008, November 2008, October 2008, September 2008, August 2008, July 2008, June 2008, May 2008, April 2008, March 2008, February 2008, January 2008, December 2007,November 2007, October 2007, September 2007, and earlier issues.

- More from Ted Olsen

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Christianity Today October, 2009

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