Future Church: Young Ministers Predict the Future – Part II
This is the second in a two-part series on a recent Journey study in which we asked young ministers to predict the future of the church. The question we posed was a simple one:
“What major changes do you see coming to the church? Time frame: the next 5 years.”
Negative vs Postive Changes
Respondents were asked to offer one to three changes, identifying each change as either “Positive” or “Negative.” No “Neutral” changes were accepted: we wanted respondents to not only forecast the future but to think through the ramifications of those predicted changes. It is one thing to predict a change, but quite another to predict whether the outcomes of that change will be generally positive or negative. Every pastor, missionary and marketplace minister has to be able to do this.
Respondents deemed 40% of the changes as “Negative” and just over 60% to be “Positive.”
In our previous post we presented the changes that respondents classified as “Negative.” In this post we present the changes they classified as “Positive.”
We have categorized the responses offered for the sake of organization and ease in reading. Some changes fit into more than one category, and so, appear in each category. The categories, listed alphabetically, are:
BIBLICAL LITERACY
CHARACTER
CHURCH AND CULTURE
CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST
CHURCH: HOW CHURCHES DO CHURCH
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
CHURCH & MINISTRY MODELS
CHURCH PLANTING & REVITALIZATION
CHURCH REASON FOR BEING
CHURCH SIZE & MEGA-CHURCHES
CONSUMER CHRISTIANITY
DENOMINATIONS
DOCTRINE
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
GOSPEL
HOLY SPIRIT
HOUSE CHURCHES
MINISTERIAL TRAINING
MISSION
PASTORAL COACHING & MENTORSHIP
PASTORAL HEALTH AND EFFECTIVENESS
PASTORAL MINISTRY & STAFFING
PRAYER
PREACHING
PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS
PROTESTANTISM
RELATIONSHIPS
SATELLITE CAMPUSES
SMALL GROUPS
SOCIAL ISSUES
TAX EXEMPT STATUS
TECHNOLOGY
WOMEN IN MINISTRY
WORLD MISSIONS
WORSHIP SERVICES
YOUNG MINISTERS
YOUTH MINISTRY
BIBLICAL LITERACY / PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS
Pastors and church leaders are taking active steps to address biblical illiteracy. As pastors encourage their congregants to become more actively involved in ministry both inside and outside of the church they are also making a point of educating and encouraging Biblical literacy among their parishioners.
BIBLICAL LITERACY / PREACHING
Pastors will start preaching more expository messages, rather than topical sermons. A passion for biblical literacy in the churches we serve is growing in this generation of pastors!
CHURCH AND CULTURE / CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / DENOMINATIONS / PROTESTANTISM
There will be greater unity and greater division. There will be increasing unity and breaking down of walls between Christian denominations, Protestants and Catholics, and varying ethnic groups. At the same time, as clearer lines are drawn and the Church becomes more bold and evangelistic, there will be increasing tension between the Church and other social/political/religious groups.
CHURCH AND CULTURE / DENOMINATIONS / CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / MISSION
Churches won’t be able to treat each other like competitors. As America becomes increasingly secularized, churches across denominations will have to work together to have impact in their communities. This will break down walls, create more unity, and affect communities in positive ways.
CHURCH AND CULTURE / WORSHIP SERVICES
More seeker friendly services. Churches will be more sensitive to visitors in every aspect of church. The church will desire to make more sense within the culture. More people will feel welcome to come and invite friends.
CHURCH AND CULTURE / WOMEN IN MINISTRY
More women in ministry. Cross denominationally the number of ordained women is rising. The more women who take official positions of clergy the more evidence to a watching world that followers of Christ are living authentically and treating all people as equal, in line with Christ’s example.
CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST
Congregations are more willing to share ideas and resources. Churches and congregations are beginning to recognize that we are all on the same “team“. As a result churches are freely sharing material and practices that have benefited their church and that could benefit others.
CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / CHURCH SIZE / RELATIONSHIPS
The church will move to smaller, more personal settings. Small groups will be even more common
CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS
Church members will become more active in serving, living out their priestly duties (1 Peter 2:9) within the church and the communities they serve. Pastors will do well in teaching the laity of the untapped potential within each of them. They will come to church to serve, not to be served.
CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / CHURCH AND CULTURE / WORSHIP SERVICES
More seeker friendly services Churches will be more sensitive to visitors in every aspect of church. The church will desire to make more sense within the culture. More people will feel welcome to come and invite friends.
CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / CHURCH AND CULTURE / DENOMINATIONS / PROTESTANTISM
There will be greater unity and greater division. There will be increasing unity and breaking down of walls between Christian denominations, Protestants and Catholics, and varying ethnic groups. At the same time, as clearer lines are drawn and the Church becomes more bold and evangelistic, there will be increasing tension between the Church and other social/political/religious groups.
CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / CHURCH AND CULTURE / DENOMINATIONS / MISSION
Churches won’t be able to treat each other like competitors. As America becomes increasingly secularized, churches across denominations will have to work together to have impact in their communities. This will break down walls, create more unity, and affect communities in positive ways.
CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / RELATIONSHIPS
A more community-centric church. The US is about to enter a time of economic uncertainty and difficulty. As people have increased struggle, we will see people turn to the church as a hub for dealing with their needs and resourcing the needs of one another. This is positive in that it ought to bring a more shared life mentality into place and increased dependence on God for provision and generosity to local communities and member of faith. The church will grow during adversity.
CHURCH: HOW CHURCHES DO CHURCH
New methods of gathering believers will emerge in greater quantity. Cultural norms are requiring believers to gather in non-traditional settings. As attendance of Sunday morning services continues to decline there will be a greater need for believers to gather on different days of the week at a larger variety of venues.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP / YOUNG MINISTERS
The Church will recognize the need for younger ministers and emphasize it. We will see the enormous need for investment in new ministers coming and more support, resources and mentorship is available.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP / CHURCH SIZE – MEGA-CHURCHES / PASTORAL MINISTRY
Mega-church models will adjust to a less centralized leadership structure. Gone will be the days of a single pastor over tens of thousands. Churches will still be large, but leadership will be shared by many. Churches will work hard to not build church structures and methodology on a single person’s gifts, anointing, or charisma.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP / PASTORAL MINISTRY
Baby boomer pastors will be retiring at a large rate. The potential positive is that a new generation of pastors is able to lead the church into with new thoughts and ideas that could build up the church.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP / CHARACTER
In light of financial and sexual scandals with high profile names, church leadership will begin to shift towards return to a 1 Timothy 3 model. Leading God’s church requires character.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP / YOUNG MINISTERS / PASTORAL COACHING / MISSION
Those under 35 will not just expect a seat at the leadership table, they’ll expect to be given leadership. While this will be messy and older leaders will have to come behind and clean up, in the long run the church will get better at reaching people who are younger and do so in increasingly creative ways.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP / PASTORAL COACHING / DISCIPLESHIP
Churches will focus on discipleship & leadership based development. Churches are heading towards facilitating 1 on 3-5 mentorship opportunities where individuals can pour their life into others in structured environments, where in turn the 3-5 will then invest in a different 3-5 people. The church would provide the material and empowerment of its church attendees to disciple other attendees
CHURCH LEADERSHIP / PASTORAL MINISTRY / PASTORAL COACHING / PASTORAL STAFF
Church staff will skew younger and older ministers will step into new roles. Healthy churches will continue to see the importance of young ministers and staff. There will be staff position movements in healthy churches that will make room for new, young ministers to learn, lead, and grow.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP / WOMEN IN MINISTRY
A complimentarian theology of women in ministry will increasingly be in the minority as scripture is continually pored over and interpreted. There will be greater opportunity for women in all spheres of ministry. This will only increase as a younger generation takes over leadership of church organizations.
CHURCH AND MINISTRY MODELS
Churches will take on a more organic model of ministry with pluralistic leadership. The church will return to the structure of the Early Church (Book of Acts) because an organic model is a sustainable model.
CHURCH AND MINISTRY MODELS / DISCIPLESHIP / EVANGELISM
An increase in organic church movements. We have seen trends from house churches and small groups to big community events and megachurches, but America has never been as ready to accept a more “organic church” than now. Focus on smaller groupings, everyone being a disciple-maker, and intentional evangelism (“lifestyle” and proclamatory) is on the rise and will be key to the future of the church.
CHURCH AND MINISTRY MODELS
The 5-fold ministry giftings will be better understood and more accepted in the Church at large. In the past, the terms “prophet,” “apostle,” “teacher,” “pastor,” and “evangelist” have been misunderstood and misused to the detriment of the Church. These roles will be taught with greater clarity and so fulfilled to a greater extent in the coming years.
CHURCH AND MINISTRY MODELS
Deconstruction of the Church: a post-Christian mindset and spiritually hungry believers are leading to a deconstructed view of how church should look – reverting back to more early church models. Initially this deconstruction will be difficult and not fully healthy – full of divisiveness and struggle for the universal church. But with time and refined, and with rejected pieces being accepted again, it will turn positive later down the road as a turning point into new church growth and renewed revival of faith.
CHURCH PLANTING & REVITALIZATION
Church plants will grow in number and focus on specific people groups in their area. New churches will be planted by young ministers to reach specific people in communities. Organizations like Church Multiplication Network and Grow Network will extend their reach by helping plant these new churches.
CHURCH PLANTING & REVITALIZATION
A swing from church planting to revitalization and merging. With church plants popping up everywhere, some will eventually have to revitalize or merge with another. This will bring much needed attention back to pastors that are down, out and struggling to help them with their ministry and life. We cannot continue planting churches at such a fast rate and not be prepared to revitalize, and that’s where we are at today.
CHURCH PLANTING & REVITALIZATION
There will be more multi-campus, church planting efforts than ever. As churches grow there is a greater call to reproduce and branch out. Churches will start campuses in smaller local communities with campus pastors or be willing to plant churches where there is no local church ministry taking place.
CHURCH PLANTING & REVITALIZATION / CHURCH SIZE – MEGA-CHURCHES
Mega-churches will start planting more sovereign churches, instead of more satellite campuses. The first generation of mega-church pastors is starting to retire and the Church is discovering the difficulty of passing such a large torch to the next generation. Maybe we’re not supposed to; maybe a more sustainable model for local church growth is more sovereign churches.
CHURCH PLANTING & REVITALIZATION
Record amount of Church Plants are started. The movement of new churches will continue to spread and flourish. More support and resources will be allocated to allow new church planters to go.
CHURCH REASON FOR BEING
Two phenomena will take place simultaneously in the Church: most of the church will define itself and its doctrine by cultural acceptance. But, some of the church will go remnant – reawakening to its biblical reason for being, its commitment to pure doctrine, and its biblical mission; it will adjust and adapt its ministry to the world. This church, though persecuted, will see the glory of God in it and through it.
CHURCH REASON FOR BEING
Church will be less about the building and more about people. The more people look for Christ they will find it in how TRUE Christians live rather than in an institutionalized building based on religious practices.
CHURCH SIZE
Churches will be bigger and smaller. There will be fewer midsized-churches. There will be small churches and mega-churches.
CHURCH SIZE / RELATIONSHIPS / CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST
The church will move to smaller, more personal settings. Small groups will be even more common
CHURCH SIZE / RELATIONSHIPS
Churches will intentionally keep attendance between 200-300. Generation Z wants to be part of more intimate settings. They don’t want to feel like they’re at a big event because that doesn’t feel authentic. Because of this, churches will get more creative with venues as well.
CHURCH SIZE / RELATIONSHIPS
More smaller house church sized churches will spring up as a result of the larger churches getting larger. People who are looking for closer relationships in their church will gravitate towards this style.
CHURCH SIZE / HOUSE CHURCHES / RELATIONSHIPS
There will be more small group or house churches established over time. This will provide a more relational connection than what we’re currently offering in church today.
CHURCH SIZE / SMALL GROUPS
A grassroots movement toward smaller, house-church-like gatherings will increase. This movement has been more than 30 years in the making, and it will really begin to take shape in smaller churches over the next five years.
CHURCH SIZE – MEGA-CHURCHES / LEADERSHIP / PASTORAL MINISTRY
Mega-church models will adjust to a less centralized leadership structure Gone will be the days of a single pastor being over tens of thousands. Churches will still be large, but leadership will be shared by many. Churches will work hard to not build entire church structures and methodology built off of a single persons gifts/anointing/charisma
CHURCH SIZE – MEGA-CHURCHES / CHURCH PLANTING & REVITALIZATION
Mega-churches will start planting more sovereign churches, instead of more satellite campuses. The first generation of mega-church pastors is starting to retire and the Church is discovering the difficulty of passing such a large torch to the next generation. Maybe we’re not supposed to; maybe a more sustainable model for local church growth is more sovereign churches.
CONSUMER CHRISTIANITY / DISCIPLESHIP
Churches and attenders begin to pull away from the consumer mindset that church has become. Being more devoted to a personal relationship with Jesus. As opposed to a what I get out of church mindset.
CONSUMER CHRISTIANITY / GOSPEL / DISCIPLESHIP
The church will shift to a more gospel-driven approach of ministry. We have created consumers of religious commodities. Therefore, the church will see the errors of her way and return to making disciples.
DENOMINATIONS / CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / PROTESTANTISM / CHURCH AND CULTURE
There will be greater unity and greater division. There will be increasing unity and breaking down of walls between Christian denominations, Protestants and Catholics, and varying ethnic groups. At the same time, as clearer lines are drawn and the Church becomes more bold and evangelistic, there will be increasing tension between the Church and other social/political/religious groups.
DENOMINATIONS / CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / MISSION / CHURCH AND CULTURE
Churches won’t be able to treat each other like competitors. As America becomes increasingly secularized, churches across denominations will have to work together to have impact in their communities. This will break down walls, create more unity, and affect communities in positive ways.
DENOMINATIONS
Mainline and progressive groups will decline and dissolve. Groups with a high view of Biblical authority will stagnate or flourish growth-wise
DENOMINATIONS / DOCTRINE
The Church will become less interested in Denominational lines. The church will continue holding beliefs because of traditional or ritual practices. They will instead build beliefs and ways of serving God in unity based on what they find in relationship with Jesus.
DENOMINATIONS
State offices of denominations will diminish in importance and size. The positive is that there will be smaller offices and fewer state leaders, fewer big money positions that have nothing to do with helping ministers and local ministries. The church will go back to focusing on mission and fellowship. State offices will again serve local churches and pastors instead “representing” us at national meetings.
DISCIPLESHIP / CHURCH AND MINISTRY MODELS / EVANGELISM
An increase in organic church movements. We have seen trends from house churches and small groups to big community events and megachurches, but America has never been as ready to accept a more “organic church” than now. Focus on smaller groupings, everyone being a disciple-maker, and intentional evangelism (“lifestyle” and proclamatory) is on the rise and will be key to the future of the church.
DISCIPLESHIP
We will no longer hand out coffee mugs with candy to newcomers. We will realize a personal connection has no replacement and come back to discipleship.
DISCIPLESHIP / PASTORAL COACHING / LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Churches will focus on discipleship & Leadership Based Development. Churches are heading towards facilitating 1 on 3-5 mentorship opportunities where individuals can pour their life into others in structured environments, where in turn the 3-5 will then invest in a different 3-5 people. The church would provide the material and empowerment of its church attendees to disciple other attendees
DISCIPLESHIP / CONSUMER CHRISTIANITY
Churches and attenders begin to pull away from the consumer mindset that church has become. Being more devoted to a personal relationship with Jesus. As opposed to a what I get out of church mindset.
DISCIPLESHIP / CONSUMER CHRISTIANITY / GOSPEL
The church will shift to a more gospel-driven approach of ministry. We have created consumers of religious commodities. Therefore, the church will see the errors of her way and return to making disciples.
DISCIPLESHIP / RELATIONSHIPS
The differences between nominal Christians and those who truly have a relationship with Christ will become more apparent. As the church moves toward a more relational approach, it becomes more difficult to hide a nominal Christian life behind a facade.
DOCTRINE / DENOMINATIONS
The Church will become less interested in Denominational lines. The church will continue holding beliefs because of traditional or ritual practices. They will instead build beliefs and ways of serving God in unity based on what they find in relationship with Jesus.
EVANGELISM / MISSION / GOSPEL
Churches will step up to reaching the next generation (Gen Z), who researchers say are seeking absolute truth. The Gospel will change them.
EVANGELISM / CHURCH AND MINISTRY MODELS / DISCIPLESHIP
An increase in organic church movements. We have seen trends from house churches and small groups to big community events and megachurches, but America has never been as ready to accept a more “organic church” than now. Focus on smaller groupings, everyone being a disciple-maker, and intentional evangelism (“lifestyle” and proclamatory) is on the rise and will be key to the future of the church.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP / RELATIONSHIPS
The church may move away from large buildings and production type services People want more intimate relationships spiritually and personally with other Christians. A lot of $ is wasted on mortgages.
GOSPEL / DISCIPLESHIP / CONSUMER CHRISTIANITY
The church will shift to a more gospel-driven approach of ministry. We have created consumers of religious commodities. The church will see the errors of her way and return to making disciples.
HOLY SPIRIT / PRAYER
A resurgence in Pentecost. As the churches move to a more relational approach the church will be more devoted to prayer and a true moving of the Holy Spirit. The atmosphere will be more conducive for the freedom of the Spirit.
HOLY SPIRIT
There will be a move of the Holy Spirit again. The “church” will get tired of the feel good messages and those who truly desire Jesus will press in to allow the Holy Spirit to be active once again.
HOUSE CHURCHES / CHURCH SIZE / RELATIONSHIPS
There will be more small group or house churches established over time. This will provide a more relational connection than what we’re currently offering in church today.
MINISTERIAL TRAINING
Regional, local-church-based ministry training hubs will begin replacing established ministry colleges, universities, and seminaries. The cost of education is rising at an unprecedented, unsustainable rate; the Church is getting wise to this and adjusting accordingly. District-based schools of ministry have been popular for a number of years already, but they’re going to start forming into “hubs” that will allow churches/districts to collaborate in training ministers in a less expensive and more accessible fashion.
MINISTERIAL TRAINING
Ministers would be more educated from taking Continuing Education courses that included the secular workplace like finance, human resources, and best business practices.
MISSION / YOUNG MINISTERS / CHURCH LEADERSHIP / PASTORAL COACHING
Those under 35 will not just expect a seat at the leadership table, they’ll expect to be given leadership. While this will be messy and older leaders will have to come behind and clean up, in the long run the church will get better at reaching people who are younger and do so in increasingly creative ways.
MISSION / EVANGELISM / GOSPEL
Churches will step up to reaching the next generation (Gen Z), who researchers say are seeking absolute truth. The Gospel will change them.
MISSION / CHURCH AND CULTURE / DENOMINATIONS / CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST
Churches won’t be able to treat each other like competitors. As America becomes increasingly secularized, churches across denominations will have to work together to have impact in their communities. This will break down walls, create more unity, and affect communities in positive ways.
MISSION / EVANGELISM / GOSPEL
Churches will step up to reaching the next generation (Gen Z), who researchers say are seeking absolute truth. The Gospel will change them.
MISSION / WORLD MISSIONS
Increase in missions to unreached people groups. As awareness grows toward the disproportionate appropriation of mission funds, a movement toward reaching those in the ‘unreached’ categories of peoples will swell. This will create further development in initial gospel presentations. Such efforts greatly benefit the Church both proactive and retroactively.
PASTORAL COACHING
All ministers would be actively being coached/mentored and continuing the to have a coach or peer mentor and to be discipling someone. They would be actively living out what they’re preaching and leading the way in the importance of discipleship.
PASTORAL COACHING / YOUNG MINISTERS / CHURCH LEADERSHIP / MISSION
Those under 35 will not just expect a seat at the leadership table, they’ll expect to be given leadership. While this will be messy and older leaders will have to come behind and clean up, in the long run the church will get better at reaching people who are younger and do so in increasingly creative ways.
PASTORAL COACHING / CHURCH LEADERSHIP / PASTORAL MINISTRY / PASTORAL STAFF
Church staff will skew younger and older ministers will step into new roles. Healthy churches will continue to see the importance of young ministers and staff. There will be staff position movements in healthy churches that will make room for new, young ministers to learn, lead, and grow.
PASTORAL COACHING / LEADERSHIP / DISCIPLESHIP
Churches will focus on discipleship & Leadership Based Development. Churches are heading towards facilitating 1 on 3-5 mentorship opportunities where individuals can pour their life into others in structured environments, where in turn the 3-5 will then invest in a different 3-5 people. The church would provide the material and empowerment of its church attendees to disciple other attendees
PASTORAL HEALTH AND EFFECTIVENESS
The church will become more concerned with their pastors’ well being. The church body will continue to learn and understand that pastors aren’t super heroes and that the church should be doing all they can to make sure the minister is ministered to in all aspects: emotionally, spiritually, financially.
PASTORAL MINISTRY / CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Baby boomer pastors will be retiring at a large rate. The potential positive is that a new generation of pastors is able to lead the church into with new thoughts and ideas that could build up the church.
PASTORAL MINISTRY / CHURCH LEADERSHIP / PASTORAL COACHING
Church staff will skew younger and older ministers will step into new roles. Healthy churches will continue to see the importance of young ministers and staff. There will be staff position movements in healthy churches that will make room for new, young ministers to learn, lead, and grow.
PASTORAL MINISTRY / LEADERSHIP
Mega-church models will adjust to a less centralized leadership structure. Gone will be the days of a single pastor over tens of thousands. Churches will still be large, but leadership will be shared by many. Churches will work hard to not build church structures and methodology on a single person’s gifts, anointing, or charisma.
PRAYER / HOLY SPIRIT
A resurgence in Pentecost. As the churches move to a more relational approach the church will be more devoted to prayer and a true moving of the Holy Spirit. The atmosphere will be more conducive for a freedom of the Spirit.
PREACHING / SATELLITE CAMPUSES
Church campuses who are currently video-based satellites of a main church will go to live preaching. The days of one pastor being recorded and broadcast across multiple campuses will be replaced by either campus pastors preaching live or those satellite campuses turning into sovereign churches. This will help sustain overall spiritual health and commitment among church attendees.
PREACHING / BIBLICAL LITERACY
Pastors will start preaching more expository messages, rather than topical sermons. A passion for biblical literacy in the churches we serve is growing in this generation of pastors!
PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS / CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST
Church members will become more active in serving, living out their priestly duties (1 Peter 2:9) within the church and the communities they serve. Pastors will do well in teaching the laity of the untapped potential within each of them. They will come to church to serve, not to be served.
PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS / SOCIAL ISSUES
Lay persons in the church will be called to starting new and exciting ministries. As time passes and the world begins to change around us, the need for more targeted ministries will increase. Young people within the church will feel the calling to start new ministries that focus on particular issues that various age, cultural, gender etc. demographics struggle with.
PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS / BIBLICAL LITERACY
Pastors and church leaders are taking active steps to address biblical illiteracy. As pastors encourage their congregants to become more actively involved in ministry both inside and outside of the church they are also making a point of educating and encouraging Biblical literacy among their parishioners.
PROTESTANTISM / CHURCH AND CULTURE / CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST / DENOMINATIONS
There will be greater unity and greater division. There will be increasing unity and breaking down of walls between Christian denominations, Protestants and Catholics, and varying ethnic groups. At the same time, as clearer lines are drawn and the Church becomes more bold and evangelistic, there will be increasing tension between the Church and other social/political/religious groups.
RELATIONSHIPS / CHURCH SIZE
Churches will intentionally keep attendance between 200-300. Generation Z wants to be part of more intimate settings. They don’t want to feel like they’re at a big event because that doesn’t feel authentic. Because of this, churches will get more creative with venues as well.
RELATIONSHIPS / CHURCH SIZE
More smaller house church sized churches will spring up as a result of the larger churches getting larger. People who are looking for closer relationships in their church will gravitate towards this style.
RELATIONSHIPS / CHURCH SIZE / HOUSE CHURCHES
There will be more small group or house churches established over time. This will provide a more relational connection than what we’re currently offering in church today.
RELATIONSHIPS / CHURCH SIZE / CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST
The church will move to smaller, more personal settings. Small groups will be even more common
RELATIONSHIPS / DISCIPLESHIP
The differences between nominal Christians and those who truly have a relationship with Christ will become more apparent. As the church moves toward a more relational approach, it becomes more difficult to hide a nominal Christian life behind a facade.
RELATIONSHIPS / FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
The church may move away from large buildings and production type services People want more intimate relationships spiritually and personally with other Christians. A lot of $ is wasted on mortgages.
RELATIONSHIPS / CHURCH – BODY OF CHRIST
A more community-centric church. Our nation is about to enter a time of economic uncertainty and difficulty. As people have increased struggle, We will see people turn to the church as a hub for dealing with their needs and resourcing the needs of one another. This is positive in that it ought to bring a more shared life mentality into place and increased dependence on God for provision and generosity to local communities and member of faith. The church will grow during adversity.
SATELLITE CAMPUSES / PREACHING
Church campuses who are currently video-based satellites of a main church will go to live preaching. The days of one pastor being recorded and broadcast across multiple campuses will be replaced by either campus pastors preaching live or those satellite campuses turning into sovereign churches. This will help sustain overall spiritual health and commitment among church attendees.
SMALL GROUPS / CHURCH SIZE
A grassroots movement toward smaller, house-church-like gatherings will increase. This movement has been more than 30 years in the making, and it will really begin to take shape in smaller churches over the next five years.
SOCIAL ISSUES
Churches will be more inclusive of the LGBT community BIG NUANCE HERE – Not to the point of being a “gay affirming” church (though some will) but many churches will seek to welcome this previously exiled community. The closest parallel is an issue like divorce – the greater American church worked to welcome while still not condoning. A similar thing will happen with human sexuality.
SOCIAL ISSUES / PRIESTHOOD OF BELIEVERS
Lay persons in the church will be called to starting new and exciting ministries. As time passes and the world begins to change around us, the need for more targeted ministries will increase. Young people within the church will feel the calling to start new ministries that focus on particular issues that various age, cultural, gender etc. demographics struggle with.
TAX EXEMPT STATUS
Losing tax exempt status. For most, this will be a negative change, but I see it as a positive change. It can open doors up for the church because we wouldn’t be as constricted by government. We also wouldn’t be penalized for saying what we wanted to say.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology will allow churches to reach a wider audience than before. Positively with technology booming podcasts and sermons featured online or streamed allow us to get he message out quicker and to a wider audience. This will continue in the future, possibly even virtual reality church.
WOMEN IN MNISTRY
There will be more women pastors, leading and co-leading churches.
WOMEN IN MINISTRY / CHURCH LEADERSHIP
A complimentarian theology of women in ministry will increasingly be in the minority as scripture is continually pored over and interpreted. There will be greater opportunity for women in all spheres of ministry. This will only increase as a younger generation takes over leadership of church organizations.
WOMEN IN MINISTRY / CHURCH AND CULTURE
More women in ministry. Cross denominationally the number of ordained women is rising. The more women who take official positions of clergy the more evidence to a watching world that followers of Christ are living authentically and treating all people as equal, in line with Christ’s example.
WORLD MISSIONS / MISSION
Increase in missions to unreached people groups. As awareness grows toward the disproportionate appropriation of mission funds, a movement toward reaching those in the ‘unreached’ categories of peoples will swell. This will create further development in initial gospel presentations. Such efforts greatly benefit the Church both proactive and retroactively.
WORSHIP SERVICES / CHURCH AND CULTURE
More seeker friendly services. Churches will be more sensitive to visitors in every aspect of church. The church will desire to make more sense within the culture. More people will feel welcome to come and invite friends.
YOUNG MINISTERS / CHURCH LEADERSHIP / PASTORAL COACHING / MISSION
Those under 35 will not just expect a seat at the leadership table, they’ll expect to be given leadership. While this will be messy and older leaders will have to come behind and clean up, in the long run the church will get better at reaching people who are younger and do so in increasingly creative ways.
YOUNG MINISTERS / CHURCH LEADERSHIP
The Church will recognize the need for younger ministers and emphasize it. We will see the enormous need for investment in new ministers coming and more support, resources and mentorship is available.
YOUTH MINISTRY
Youth groups and student ministries will move away from meeting midweek, and will become a regular part of Sunday morning activities. Midweek will then be more leaned towards missional communities, where students minister in the sports teams, and extracurricular activities.
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NOTE: Journey Pastoral Coaching provides pastoral coaching to young ministers.
Saddled with large student debt, just beginning to set up homes and start families, and serving in low paying first and second positions, young ministers are those who most desire but can least afford to pay for pastoral coaching.
So we offer it to them at NO COST: members don’t PAY for coaching; they EARN it.
We are able to do so through the faithful and generous gifts of friends who want to see young leaders not only enter the ministry, but remain in the ministry. If you or your church would like to help young ministers in 21 US states and 5 nations build strong for a lifetime in ministry, please click here to contact us by email or to support Journey monthly or with your one-time gift. Thank you.
We also invite you to click and subscribe to our twice-monthly blogs at journeypastoralcoaching.com
“In the early years when I was becoming a pastor, I needed a pastor.”
Eugene H. Peterson, The Pastor: A Memoir
