As the kingdom advances, where are we going? Winter 2005

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If you're unsure what to preach next Sunday, consider something from Song of Solomon. Almost half of churchgoers want to hear more scriptural teaching on sex (44%), twice the number of pastors who feel they should spend more time on the subject (22%). An equal number of parishioners say they're satisfied with the frequency of sermons addressing sex (44%), according to a new survey by Leadership publisher, Christianity Today International.

The discrepancy between congregations' expectations and pastors' assessments of the need is also in the ear of the beholder. Some 85 percent of pastors say they speak about sexual issues at least once a year, but only 63 percent of the listeners say their pastor preaches on sex at least once a year.

Among congregants who want more teaching on sexual issues, only 47% claim their pastor brings up this subject once or more per year. CTI analyst John LaRue says, "Perhaps this desire for more biblical exposition on sexual issues exists because pastors are not speaking forcefully or clearly enough, while exposure to sexual images and messages in today's media is ever more heightened."

More gaps: Pastors and their parishioners were given a list of damaging sexual issues. Pastors were asked to choose those they believe affected their congregation, while parishioners were asked to choose those affecting them personally. This should show how well pastors know their congregations. Addiction to pornography was rated number one by both groups (57% of pastors to 36% of parishioners), but there were significant gaps in other rankings.

Churchgoers were more likely to consider abortion for unwed mothers a serious sexual issue (27% vs. 3% of pastors). Churchgoers were more concerned about homosexual behavior ...

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