Page 28 - Finding Jesus with Good News report A5 WEB

What words How exploration felt
best described
In the survey, participants were asked to select up
participants’
to three words that best described their journey of
journeys of
exploring Christian faith. Some of the top words
exploring Christian they selected were ‘hopeful’ (40%), ‘life-giving’
faith? (37%), ‘comforting’ (36%) and ‘encouraging’ (31%).
But most common was ‘challenging’ (41%). This
‘challenging’ was particularly the case for those with no faith
41% background (49%) and those under 25 (55%).

The bigger the cultural gap between a historic
Christian worldview and their own cultural
‘hopeful’ context, the more disconcerting and challenging
40% understanding the gospel is. Christian ‘basics’ are
completely alien for many people and we mustn’t
make assumptions about their knowledge. The
‘life-giving’ gospel is a whole new world for many!
37% It’s also important to know that for some people,

‘frightening’ (5%), ‘painful’ (5%) and ‘unsettling’ (5%)
‘comforting’ were the words they used. Attending church or
36% telling friends they were exploring faith were really
difficult.

‘encouraging’
31%

28 Finding Jesus