Not the best book out there on this subject, but it's okay.In my opinion, the author doesn't sound like he had passed through the cynical phase when this book was written. But if you can filter that effectively, or if you are cynical enough yourself, then this may be the book for you. It is a mostly deconstructive book, so if you read it and especially if you are going through the deconstructive phase, then remember that you will eventually need to go through a constructive phase. At that time, look for another book on this. Maybe "So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore" by Jake Colsen, "The Naked Church" by Wayne Jacobsen, "Reimagining Church" by Frank Viola, or even "The Present Future" by Reggie McNeal. ( )

Barna usually offers objective, statistically-sound research, but this book is filled with conjecture and leaps of logic. To his credit, he does document the drift away from church institutions, but his analysis of why this is occurring is speculative, at best. Unfortunately, his knowledge of the New Testament is not as strong as his knowledge of survey techniques, because he also launches into a novel (and unbiblical) redefinition of Christian fellowship (consisting of playing golf with golf buddies, for example). In short, Mr. Barna presents significant statistical information which he proceeds to bury under a mountain of conjecture in this book. For example, he thinks all "20 million" Christian dropouts are "Revolutionaries" of some kind, but with so many "Revolutionaries" afoot, wouldn't we see a commensurate "disturbance in the force" of some kind? It is a worthwhile read, however, if for no other reason than to become familiar with this much-discussed book. ( )

Here, it would seem, is Barna’s self-styled magnum opus against the local church: the church is – in general – a dead institution, ineffective in creating fully devoted followers of Christ. Based on his national polling, Barna is proclaiming a shift in what it means to be a follower of Christ: the revolutionary Christian is one who finds his/her primary spiritual growth outside of the structures and programs of a local church (be it a service club, independent bible study, or other niche group). Barna offers some valuable insights into the shifting culture, but his conclusions regarding the local church seem sociologically premature and theologically myopic. C- ( )

In "Revolution," Barna investigates the growing reality that more and more people are seeking alternative ways to grow deeper in Christ. Not content to stick with the traditional model of the local church service on Sunday mornings, these "revolutionaries," as Barna calls them, are turning to house-church, cyber-church, and family-church strategies.

As with any revolution, Barna's book is bound to meet with controversy. The very fact that he named his book by this title shows he is expecting it. A revolution is never peaceful since it involves the tension between a younger generation seeking a new and fresh alternative to the traditions that an older generation tries vehemently to protect.

Barna's book is, by my account, a good one. He is not, as one writer to Charisma magazine put it, trying to tell people to leave the local church. In fact, Barna writes "The Revolution is not about eliminating, dismissing, or disparaging the local church. It is about building relationships, commitments, processes, and tools that enable us to be the God-lovers we were intended to be from the beginning of creation." Nor is Barna going contrary to the biblical call for Christ-followers to regularly assemble for mutual edification and worship to God. He is simply showing that there is more than one way to fulfill this command than the local brick-and-mortar building model we associate with the word "church." In his words, it is time we stop GOING TO church and start BEING the church. ( )

Barna gives some good factual information (as usual), but goes too far to negate the Biblical mandate for a local church. He ignores all the work of the Apostle Paul in establishing local churches and the Bibles clear guidance on church leadership (Pastors, deacons, etc.). I understand and am also of the opinion that we have deviated from our first-century example and have gone too far down the road of institutionalism and building projects, but that does not afford us the right to disassemble what God has established. In Barna's Revolution, "churches" would exist as Bible studies or small groups of people that get together every so often for fellowship. While these are good, biblical things, they are not a church. A church will have indiviuals called to be pastors, deacons, overseers, or elders as to execute and lead the functions of the church.

Overall, some good research and statistics, but severely lacking in a Biblical church backbone. ( )