Church leaders have their work cut out in making true disciples, according to leading researcher and author George Barna.

More than half the Christians surveyed in a recent study he identified as "casual" believers, whose professed faith did not line up with some attitudes and actions consistent with evangelical Christianity.

Barna's casual Christians are one of the groups he spotlights in his new book, The Seven Faith Tribes: Who They Are, What They Believe and Why They Matter (BarnaBooks/Tyndale House Publishers)

which describes how the main "faith tribes"-also including "captive Christians," Jews, Mormons, Muslims, pantheists and skeptics-can work together toward a better future for America.

The large size of the casual Christian constituency-150 million of the 255 million adults cited in the research-could be alarming to churches seeking to engage Christians in more active service and discipleship. With this in mind, Barna suggests churches should "intentionally and strategically" develop people's worldviews through "strong, visionary leadership."

Barna believes there is hope for healing and restoration in America, which he sees as ravaged by division and disrespect. "The beauty of the research underlying this book was that the shared values do not require Christians-or any tribe-to abandon their essence," he said. "The shared values give us some common ground for understanding each other and engaging in meaningful dialogue."

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