Professing

Professing to be a Christian, but no clear demonstration of spiritual growth.

"I believe in God, but I don't especially act on it."

Two types emerged in the Professing stage: Casual and Involved.

Most in Casual Professing haven’t gone to church regularly in a long time, but there was a time when they were more involved. They tend to think a good Christian is just a good person.

Those in Involved Professing see themselves as having always been Christians, and they try to do what is right. Evangelism is not something they are ready to start doing. They want to follow God by doing good deeds and praying.

What people in Professing say

“I try to live as a good person with good morals and instill those morals in my children.”

“I am not sure if I believe in a second life or in reincarnation.”

“Although I still believe in God and think it can help me a lot, I am barely taking any actions on that even though I keep trusting it when it comes to big issues.”

“[Being a Christian] does have to do with treating others with respect. Jesus did that.”

“I attend church 2 to 3 times per year. I believe in God’s teaching but I doubt his existence.”

“My grandmother, God rest her soul, is the reason I believe in God…She was my everything.”

At-a-glance

Identify as Christian but are not actively involved in a church or Christian community.
Do not necessarily believe the bulk of Christianity’s teachings, but profess to be a Christian.
Desire to be a good person and do what is right.

Insights & attributes

Being Good

View Christianity as a help to being a good, moral person who is respectful of others. If Dechurched, also likely to be pursuing finances and career in addition to being a good person.

Prayer

Have a desire to follow God by doing good deeds and through prayer.

Identity

"I have always been a Christian" is a common viewpoint. Christianity is a part of their identity rather than a belief or practice.

Profess ≠ Belief

If they are Dechurched, they are unlikely to believe the bulk of Christianity's teachings, but still profess to be a Christian.

View on Evangelism

Evangelism is telling someone, "I'm a Christian" or having a conversation about religion.

Readiness

Not ready to start doing evangelism, but they see evangelism as something that good Christians would do.

Where and why people move

Likely to Remain

Very likely to stay here long-term unless something shakes them out of it and helps them grow.

Move toward Growing

Movement toward Growing can happen through increased ministry involvement with heart change, making their faith their own, and/or gaining a new perspective on their Christian life.

Move from Involved to Casual

May move to Professing- Casual due to personal issues, changed circumstances, or problems in church.

Dechurched

Can be on a movement to Dechurched if they have experienced trauma or hardship. Once Dechurched, people in this stage often stop identifying as Christians.

Move toward Grounded

Can move toward Grounded if they start seeking God on their own and moving toward a life surrendered to Jesus.

The first wise thing to do with people in Professing is to empathetically find out if they are indeed believers.
The main thing that sets this group apart is their lack of demonstration of spiritual fruit. Take the time to find out why. Is it due to a lack of knowledge, lack of commitment, a wrong view of Christianity/God, personal issues, problems with churches, something else?
Create strategies that help overcome different barriers that you uncovered.

Remember, this map is how people identify themselves, which may mean that they do not truly understand the gospel . You may find that a professing Christian does not have a saving faith!
On a similar note, you may find that you use similar words but may not be saying the same thing. Many in Professing grew up in a church setting, so they know the right words or the right things to say. It can be misleading as you seek to understand them.
Avoid the tendency to emphasize works over grace and faith. We are not trying to get people to change their behaviors, but we are trying to engage them at a heart level that will motivate life change.
Those in Professing may be really open to you if they see you as a “fellow believer” who can help them. Or they could be hostile if they see you as a threat to their version of “Christianity.” The way you approach and talk to them can make a difference between the two.

Experiments, Tactics & Studies

Solutions and resources that have been created or used to understand better or reach this audience.
Add your own item below by submitting a proposal