The RenewaNation Review 2014 Volume 6 Issue 1 | Page 27

WHAT DO PEOPLE REALLY WANT WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATING THEIR KIDS? q Renewanation did two national surveys with Barna Research Group to try and get answers to that question. The first was a survey taken of adults 18 years of age or older. The second engaged senior pastors of Christian churches representing a wide variety of tradition. Both surveys asked the same questions, randomly presented with questions from other surveys. r Should the U.S. strengthen its Christian values? 12 % Disagree Strongly 6 % 5 % 2 % Not Sure 6 % Disagree Strongly Not Sure Disagree Somewhat 14 % 11 % Disagree Somewhat Agree Somewhat U.S. Adults 18 % Agree Somewhat 53 % U.S. Pastors 74 % Agree Strongly Agree Strongly Quite honestly, these astounding results surprised us! One certainly doesn’t get this perspective from the nightly news or press editorials. Our neighbors and friends are often paralyzed by the politically correct and are fearful to speak their minds. But we found they are clearly more emboldened to share their thoughts in an anonymous telephone survey… and we’re glad they did! the TAKEAWAY: 1. America is NOT yet too-far gone because its people still recognize the value of the Christian faith and stated it clearly when they felt their opinion mattered but they were not made public. 2. A majority of families are unsatisfied with the education their kids are getting and would choose Christian education if it were more accessible. 3. There is a need for bold leadership in the Church and in society to confront today’s challenges in education. Renewanation is fully committed to providing that leadership. To see the full survey results, go to: http://www.renewanation.org/ barna-research-christian-values-and-education 27