This week, The Barna Group published the results of a study investigating what makes today’s American Dream. What I find most intriguing is the growing goal of Americans to be more spiritual. It is not a drastic change, but all three spiritual areas polled in the study grew in support from previous years.

• 75% of American adults in 2008 want to have a close relationship with God in the future
  (5th most desired outcome in ‘08)
  >> 70% in 2000
  >> 74% in 1993
  >> 72% in 1991
• 59% of American adults in 2008 want to be deeply committed to the Christian faith in the future
  (11th most desired outcome in ‘08)
  >> 53% in 2000
• 45% of American adults in 2008 want to be personally active in a church in the future
  (14th most desired outcome in ‘08)
  >> 42% in 2000

I was pleasantly surprised to see the numbers so high. However, there is a big difference between wanting to do something and actually doing it.

• 3 in 5 Americans (59%) want to be discipled, but they need churches with leaders that can spur them to act on that desire.

• 9 in 20 Americans (45%) want to be involved in church, but they need church leadership that can encourage and motivate them to volunteer, participate, and become personally active in church.

The numbers are very promising, but it is up to church leadership to get these Americans to act on their desires. To see the rankings of the 19 desires that make up the American Dream, read Barna’s full article.