Rise of the Nones
One of the most important discussions concerning religion these days are about the nones. These are not women living in convents but those when asked about religion, indicate that they belong to none. What is interesting is that this group is the fastest growing segment on religious surveys.
There is a lot of confusion about the nature of the nones. Some atheists have actually taken the nones as evidence of the dramatic increase in atheism. This is an inaccurate evaluation of the nones.
James Emery White takes a good, long look at this group in his book, Rise of the Nones. White explains that the nones are not atheists but are people who refuse to include themselves in any religious group. They may hold anything from a wide range of religious beliefs. White does a great job of working through the numbers and offering explanations for the origin and nature of the nones. The book is worth it just for the current research it summarizes.
However, White is not a sociologist. He is a pastor and his interest is on how churches can reach out to the nones. White looks at some of the recent trends in church growth and why they are not effective with this generation of nones. Instead, White offers some insight from his own experience as a church-planter on how churches can connect to the nones. The book is filled with stories from his church and interactions they have had with the nones.
I found the Rise of the Nones to be both interesting and practical. I recommend it as a helpful resource for pastors and churches.
