George Barna: Shaping the Study of Faith and Culture
George Barna is a renowned pollster and market researcher who has spent decades analyzing the intersection of faith and culture in the United States. As the founder of The Barna Group, he established a gold standard for studying the religious beliefs and behaviors of Americans, providing data-driven insights to thousands of churches, non-profit organizations, and the U.S. military.
Throughout his career, Barna has transitioned from the corporate world of marketing and advertising into a specialized focus on ministry and spiritual development. His work is widely cited by global media, earning him a reputation as one of the most influential Christian leaders and the most quoted authority on the modern church.
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Key Facts
- Founder: Established The Barna Group in 1984 to study faith and culture.
- Prolific Author: Written over 50 books, including New York Times bestsellers.
- Academic Contributions: Professor at Arizona Christian University and founder of its Cultural Research Center.
- Current Role: President of Metaformation, a faith development organization.
- Education: Graduated summa cum laude from Boston College; holds two master's degrees from Rutgers University.
Professional Journey and Academic Background
Born in 1954 in New York City, George Barna grew up Catholic before engaging with evangelical Christianity. His professional versatility is evident in his history of executive roles across politics, media development, and research. After founding the Barna Research Group (now The Barna Group) in 1984, he spent 25 years leading the firm before selling it in 2009.
Barna's commitment to education is reflected in his academic achievements and his roles as a teacher. In addition to his degrees from Boston College and Rutgers, he received an honorary doctorate from Dallas Baptist University. From 2013 to 2018, he served as the executive director of the American Culture & Faith Institute, and he currently serves as a senior research fellow for Christian ethics and Biblical worldview at the Family Research Council.
Literary Impact
Barna has authored more than 50 books and 200 articles. He holds the distinction of having sold more survey-research-based books on faith than any other author in American history. His writing covers a broad spectrum of topics, including leadership, spiritual growth, and church dynamics. Among his most significant works is Maximum Faith, along with The Power of Vision and Think Like Jesus.
Defining Modern Faith: Barna's Key Terminology
To better categorize the shifting landscape of spirituality, Barna has coined several specific terms used in sociological and theological research:
- Mosaic Generation: Individuals born between 1984 and 2002. This group is characterized by non-linear thinking, a comfort with contradiction, and a lack of a single dominating attribute.
- Theolographics: The study of how people apply their theological perspectives to their lives.
- Spiritainment: A blend of spirituality and entertainment designed to influence spiritual perspectives.
- SAGE Cons: An acronym for Spiritually Active Governance Engaged Conservative Christians. This group represents roughly 10% of the US adult population who feel a biblical mandate to be involved in political and governance issues.
Major Research Findings and Insights
Barna is best known for his extensive surveys that often challenge traditional assumptions about the church and faith. His findings frequently spark discussion within religious circles.
Church and Leadership Trends
Barna's research suggests that many U.S. churches have been ineffective in evangelism and discipleship. He has noted that most "church growth" is often just the recycling of existing church-goers between congregations. Furthermore, he found that while conservative Christians desire biblical guidance on cultural issues, many pastors are reluctant to address controversial political topics.
Societal and Political Observations
His data on the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election highlighted the impact of the Christian vote, noting that Donald Trump received 57% of the Christian vote. Specifically, 93% of the "SAGE Cons" segment voted for Trump. Barna has also explored the complexities of marriage, noting that while early data showed higher divorce rates among born-again Christians than atheists, a 2008 report showed the gap closing (32% for born-again Christians vs. 30% for atheists/agnostics).
Spiritual Development
Barna emphasizes that children are the most critical population for ministry due to their spiritual teachability. He also identifies a "10-stop journey" of transformation that remains consistent across different people groups.
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Summary of George Barna's Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Expertise | Market research, polling, and faith-culture intersection |
| Key Organizations | The Barna Group, Metaformation, Arizona Christian University |
| Major Publications | 50+ books (e.g., Maximum Faith, The Power of Vision) |
| Core Concepts | Mosaic Generation, SAGE Cons, Spiritainment, Theolographics |
| Academic Credentials | Boston College (Summa Cum Laude), Rutgers University (2 Master's) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mosaic Generation?
The Mosaic Generation refers to people born between 1984 and 2002. George Barna describes them as a post-modern group characterized by non-linear thinking and a diverse set of attributes, making them "mosaic" in almost every aspect of their lives.
Who are the SAGE Cons?
SAGE Cons are Spiritually Active Governance Engaged Conservative Christians. They make up about 10% of the US adult population and are driven by their biblical commitment to be actively informed and involved in political governance.
What is "Spiritainment"?
Spiritainment is a term coined by Barna to describe the blending of entertainment and spirituality, often used as a method to influence the spiritual perspectives of an audience.
What are some of Barna's most controversial findings?
Some of his most discussed findings include the claim that most Protestant pastors lack leadership competence, the observation that many churches are ineffective at discipleship, and the analysis of the high divorce rates among born-again Christians compared to non-believers.
What is Barna's current professional focus?
George Barna currently serves as the president of Metaformation, a faith development organization, and is a professor at Arizona Christian University, where he leads the Cultural Research Center.