Why Vital Signs?
Survey of the Nation’s Faith and Values
The Presidential Prayer Team in conjunction with George Barna recently participated in two nationwide studies to take what we call the “temperature” of Americans when it comes to matters of faith, prayer, and matters that confront our nation.
An Outward Look: The first survey included people from the broad spectrum of Americana—people like your neighbors, with varied backgrounds and demographics. In particular, the outward study examined the beliefs and practices of those who may not identify as Christian and are outside of the prayer team. The results gave a portrait of the nation as a whole.
As we endeavor to reach more Americans on matters of God and faith and with the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the power of prayer, the results of the “outward” study will guide us in any program development to meet that objective.
The Inward Look: The second study was more tightly directed toward members of The Presidential Prayer Team. The majority have a heartbeat that is sensitive toward the things of God, and many have a familiarity with the Bible. As such, what matters to them, while sometimes the same, can also have a wide variable on issues of morality or perceived biblical principles.
The Results
The Vital Signs: In the largest study of its kind, The Vital Signs survey thousands of Americans to determine the faith, values, and concerns that matter most to our nation. Through the study, we’ve created an in depth and comprehensive look into each of the top Vital Signs. In a random order of importance, the Vital Signs are as follows:
We’ve combed through the issues and compiled 13 comprehensive Vital Signs that will be examined in the coming months. These are presented in a random order of importance. The Vital Signs are as follows:
Release Schedule
- July 7 – Law and Order
- July 14 – National Defense
- July 21 – News Media and Bias
- July 28 – Religious Freedom
- August 4 – Economic Security
- August 11 – Entitlement Programs
- August 18 – Government Spending
- August 25 – Election Integrity
- September 1 – Immigration
- September 8 – Abortion
- September 15 – Healthcare
- September 22 – Marriage and Family
- September 29 – National Leadership
Latest VITAL Signs
George Barna
George Barna is a professor at Arizona Christian University and leads the Cultural Research Center based at the university. His focus at ACU is worldview assessment and development, and cultural transformation.
He was the founder and leader of The Barna Group (which he sold in 2009) and the American Culture and Faith Institute (through 2018). He has been the President of Metaformation, a research and communications company, since 2009. Barna has conducted groundbreaking research on worldview, cultural transformation, ministry applications, spiritual development, and politics. He has provided research and strategy for several hundred parachurch ministries, thousands of Christian churches, the U.S. military, and numerous non-profit and for-profit organizations, and has provided polling and strategy input for four presidential candidates.
Besides his current role at Arizona Christian University, he previously taught at several universities and seminaries, and was the teaching pastor of a large, multi-ethnic church.
Barna has written or co-authored more than 50 books, mostly addressing cultural and religious trends, leadership, spiritual development, church dynamics, and cultural transformation. They include New York Times bestsellers and several award-winning books.
After graduating summa cum laude from Boston College, Barna earned two Master’s degrees from Rutgers University and received a doctorate from Dallas Baptist University.
Married to Nancy since 1978, they have three adopted daughters and three grandchildren, and live on the central California coast.
Following the 2016 presidential election, George Barna wrote a book titled The Day Christians Changed America.
To find out how prayer reshaped American politics and redirected the nation’s future, and to learn how pray is once again at the center of this election season, visit GeorgeBarna.com
