EVANGELICAL Christians are embracing smart technology to keep up
their daily Bible-reading schedules, a new report suggests.
A third of those questioned for the Evangelical Alliance's
research report Time for Discipleship? use Bible apps on
their smartphones or tablets, to help fit daily devotional reading
into their lifestyles.
The report, published this month, questioned 1744 people.
Ninety-eight per cent of them agreed that they can see God at work
in their life.
The report found that 90 per cent of those interviewed read the
Bible regularly. More than six out of ten did not set aside a
substantial period of time each day to pray, but many used their
apps to read scripture as they went about their daily schedule. The
Alliance's general director, Steve Clifford, said: "It's exciting
to hear that Christians are using innovative ways to spend time
with God, embracing new smartphone technology to help them read the
Bible and pray on the go."
The Alliance represents more than 750 organisations, and two
million Evangelical Christians, in 3500 churches across 79
denominations in the UK. Its quarterly surveys seek to provide a
snapshot of Christian life to help leaders and the Church at large
to make more effective plans for mission and ministry.
The report shows that 90 per cent of those questioned found that
regularly attending church and/or a small fellowship-group was
helpful to their growth. Sixty-three per cent were easily
distracted "when spending time with God", however; and only 26 per
cent felt that they were well-equipped to witness and share their
faith with others.
The director of advocacy at the Alliance, Dr Dave Landrum, said:
"It's encouraging to see that the majority of Evangelical
Christians are determined not to let the daily pressures of time
get between them and God. . .
"Our discipleship is critically important, and I hope the report
findings will inspire church leaders to consider how they can
support busy people to be disciples of Christ."
www.eauk.org/church/resources/snapshot/