In our most recent blog post we presented the results of a Journey survey in which we asked young ministers to identify the “magic wand” changes they would make in the church if they had the power to do so, the changes they see as most necessary and significant.

In that post (October 15, 2018) we presented only the “headlines,” the single sentence statements they made.  In this post we offer their explanations.

In our survey no choices were offered to respondents and no limits were imposed upon them in the subjects they offered. The subjects and proposed changes are completely theirs.

Subjects and responses are listed alphabetically.  The subject index is just below. Full responses are just below the index.

 

 APOLOGETICS

ARTS

BIBLICAL CULTURE

BIBLICAL LITERATURE

CHURCH CULTURE

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Boards, Spiritual Life, Transparency, General

CHURCH PLANTING

DISCIPLESHIP

Approach, Measurement, Importance

DOCTRINE

Cardinal Doctrines, Non-Cardinal Doctrines, Teaching

FAITH COMMUNITY: 

Doing Life Together, Front Door, Leadership, Life’s Seasons, Membership, Ministry Motivation, Multi-Gen., Motivation, Singles, Small Groups, Worship Services)

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

GOSPEL

GUESTS

HOLY SPIRIT

Teaching, Prayer

INTEGRITY

JESUS AT THE CENTER

LITURGICAL PRACTICES

MENTORSHIP

Life’s Seasons, Pastors as Mentors, 

MISSIONS

Being Missional, Definition, Stewardship

PASTORAL MINISTRY (

Culture and Currency, General, Mentors, Compensation, Development, Hiring, Peer-Mentors, Prayer, Staff, etc

PRAYER

PREACHING

PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS

SOCIAL JUSTICE

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

STEWARDSHIP

SUNDAY SERVICES

VISION CASTING

VOCATIONAL MINISTRY SCHOOLS / PASTORAL DEVELOPMENT

WITNESS

WOMEN IN MINISTRY

WORLD MISSIONS

WORSHIP

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

 

 PARTICIPANTS’ RESPONSES:

 

 APOLOGETICS

Some respondents would “introduce substantive Christian apologetics” for all believers from school age (5-6) on up, explaining thata great deal more believers would be emboldened and confident in their faith, in addition to a higher retention rate.”

 

ARTS

Several would do more to incorporate the arts into not only church outreach but into church life itself.  They see a church that embraces the arts and engages the arts community in order to be more creative in communicating the Gospel and so, reach cultures in mediums that communicate in ways people understand.  This would, of necessity, require a commitment to quality production and excellence.

One sees the church of the future becoming “the central hub” again for the arts and music:  “As schools move further away from funding the arts, people looking for expression will find a home again in the church.”

 

BIBLICAL CULTURAL RELEVANCE OF THE CHURCH

Several noted a reluctance in the church to make an adequate use of technology and culturally-accepted terminology.  “We still have to be in the world. Sure, being relevant has a bad name but a bad association with the word doesn’t mean it’s an incorrect term. It would not take a local church 20 years to catch up culturally to things like technology and terminology.”

Another wrote that the church would “create culture that affects the world, … instead of limping behind the pack in technology, innovation, human resources development, business discipleship, economy, and community development.”

 

BIBLE LITERACY AND STUDY

Two respondents would see more personal and church Bible study. Biblical illiteracy was cited by several as a significant weakness in the church.  One asked, “How can believers teach new believers ‘all that Jesus commanded’ if they don’t know the Scriptures themselves?”  The concern is that because of biblical illiteracy, the church is in danger of teaching “another Gospel that is, in fact, not the Gospel at all.”

 

CHURCH CULTURE

Respondents emphasized the importance of a church culture focused on people rather than programs or church politics: “Change the culture from programs and numbers to person-centered and process orientation.” Another wrote, “I’m not actually sure how to accomplish this, but I think political in-fighting (not healthy debates and disagreements…) causes more damage to the church than external political factors.”

 

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

The subject of church leadership was a major one in responses to our survey with almost twenty percent of respondents indicating changes they would make in this area . . .

Church boards: 

Some respondents see a church with a mandatory rotation for church board members. Some see a “lifetime” election of church board members.  Character was cited as important in the selection of leaders, as was the need of boards to hear differing viewpoints.”

This look at church boards included churches of over one hundred in attendance having at least one woman and at least one person under forty years of age as board members: neither gender and nor age – older or younger – should exclude qualified people from serving.

Spiritual life: 

“Church leadership, pastors especially would, by example, lead the church in Acts 2.42-47: teaching the Apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, prayer, and breaking bread together. Cut out the CEOs and restore Book of Acts pastors to the church who give themselves to seeking God first so they can then serve God by leading His people in being the body of Christ.”

Transparency:

“Transparency” in senior leadership…. “When it’s done in a healthy way, the congregation and community are blessed. People want to trust others and this gives them a reason to do that.”

Generally:

“Organizational structure that is: diverse, shared, and simple. Diverse (gender, race, age), shared (no solitary leader at the top), and simple (as lean as possible).”

“Leadership roles would be less democratic/position-oriented and more familial and gift/calling-centered:  fewer professionals, more fathers and mothers. We need to relate to one another with an understanding of our varying God-given giftings and roles, showing one another honor, respect, and submission in the context of committed, loving relationships.”

“Do away with committees anddevelop a team mentality. A great deal of kingdom work is halted through bureaucracy and red tape.” Although some structure is needed, streamline the church for the mobility and flexibility we see in Acts.”

 

CHURCH PLANTING

Many respondents indicated a desire for smaller churches or groupings of believers (See Faith Community [Small Groups]).  Several would have all mid-size and large churches mother new churches.  One respondent said that churches with a perceived need for multiple services should address that need as an opportunity to plant a new church.

Several think new church plants would become autonomous churches within a short and set period of time. This would not only be healthy for the new church, but would free the parent church to replicate the process more often, and so, multiply for the Kingdom of God rather than for the parent church.

 

DISCIPLESHIP

Respondents would revamp the church’s current definition of discipleship and approach to discipleship, as well as its measurement of its discipleship . . .

On the approach to discipleship, there are two primary thoughts: 

First, several called for a return to or an increase of expository preaching in the church. One respondent tied this to “a rhythmic-liturgical approach” to the teaching of the Word of God through the entire church, “coupled with orthopraxy to improve the education of spiritual development in all facets of life.” In other words, a discipleship in doctrine and life in the entire church that begins with a systematic exposition of the Word of God by pastors.

Second, a restoration of relationship-based rather than program-based discipleship.  This approach would emphasize teaching but in the context of people walking together one-on-one and in small groups, doing life together.  Several noted the absolute necessity of an invested mentor to make this approach work.

On the measurementof discipleship: 

A number of respondents referenced a need to rethink how we measure church success from event “success” and numbers of attenders to substantive New Testament discipleship.

Rather than measuring a church’s health by its events or how many “decisions” it has, a church would measure itself by how people are in systematic discipleship processes (including water baptism, Spirit baptism and biblical literacy) – and how many have a spiritual mentor in their life.

  On the importance of discipleship:

A large number of respondents see the church living for one mission: discipleship. “Culturally cool in the church or not,” they emphasized that Jesus gave us one overarching mission: make disciples of all nations.  This mission would define where we invest our time, energy, prayer, money, leadership, board meetings, etc. so that we work with God in growing a body of worshippers around the world.

A large number of respondents see the need for the church to “get serious about intentional discipleship.” One respondent cites the weakened state of church discipleship as possibly the greatest challenge facing his generation.  The consensus is that while there is no “one size fits all” or “cookie cutter” approach, churches must not just idealize discipleship but study and implement meaningful rather than superficial discipleship processes immediately.

 

DOCTRINE

The subject of doctrine saw a considerable number of responses . . .

Cardinal Doctrines:

Respondents agreed on the importance of maintaining and teaching the cardinal doctrines of the Bible. This would not only be seen in creeds and pulpits but in the life of the church: worship (song selection), discipleship, church discipline, and life.  One minister wrote: “Early believers paid a price to deliver sound doctrine to us.  May God find us faithful in delivering it to the next generation: people’s eternal salvation depends on it.”

Non-Cardinal Doctrines:

A few respondents cited the need for an approach that allows for differences on non-cardinal doctrines (i.e., not required for salvation), thus encouraging diversity and discussion.

This process of studying and discussing differences would reinforce the teaching of the Word of God in three ways. First, by reinforcing the character of Jesus in the local church through grace, humility, compassion, and love. Second, it would remind the church universal (“Big C Church”) that Christianity is bigger than any one denomination or individual who insists, “my way is right and all others are totally wrong” (on non-essential issues).  Third, this process would do much to erase a fear of all other belief systems and those who hold them.

Teaching and Talking Doctrine:

Several see a church with a focused multi-generational teaching approach. Local churches would teach the same doctrinal subjects to all generations at the same time (Sunday morning services, youth groups, kids services, Sunday School classes, small groups, etc).  Each ministry group would be free to adapt it for its age group, but would teach the same doctrine at the same time, allowing for ongoing conversations between all ages in the church as well as setting up families for devotional times in the home (and so, helping families with a common challenge).

 

FAITH COMMUNITY

 The church as a living faith community was by far the single most referenced subject in our survey with a full sixty percent of respondents addressing it and its various aspects . . .

Church membership:

One respondent would do away with church membership, stating that membership can make non-members feel they are on the outside looking in, creating a barrier (“us and them”).

Doing life rather than events together:

The church would not be a once-a-week event, but the church would be people doing life together. Weekly services will disappear to less frequent celebrations, and “church” will become smaller and less central. Believers would get out of the building and into each other’s lives and space, creating authentic community.

The Front Door:

Two respondents said all new people in the church (and all attenders) would immediately be placed in a ministry or small group that would then be responsible for them, their sense of belonging and discipleship.  Serving would be the goal.

Leadership: 

Some find church leaders overly focused on brand and style. Leaders often seem focused on being known for their music or teaching style rather than for the health and ministry effectiveness of the faith community. Church leaders seem to want to be known for attendance figures, having the latest “hip” programs, awesome music, having a gifted orator in the pulpit, and their coffee bars.  This needs to change: the leadership of the church would make community, not the church “name” or branding, the defining characteristic of the church.

To do this, leaders need to invest more of their own time and resources to foster relationships in discipleship – everything from academic Bible studies to a running club, worship services to being in people’s homes and lives. In this way, the hallmark of the church (what we are actually known for) would be our love one for another, lived out in day-to-day community.

Life’s Seasons / Mentorship:

A real “faith community” would offer ministries and programs for men/women that allow them to grow with others in the present season of life and into the season of life ahead of them.  If you’re a young mom (dad) you get to walk with a mom (dad) who has older kids, who will pour into you and encourage you as a wife/mother (husband/father).  You would then do the same for other young moms (or dads) who have children after you.

Ministry motivation:

The motivation for ministries, and for those who lead them, would be “love through relationships” not legalism and guilt, which abuse and damage people. One respondent sees value in monthly or quarterly meetings in which members can express their concerns, writing that such gatherings would help foster a sense of trust and relationship if healthy parameters are set in advance and strongly adhered to.

Multi-generational church: 

A desire to see a church where all ages worship and learn together was cited by fifteen percent of respondents. One sees a church that “stops making pods” by erasing the separation of children, youth, and adults: “We get so caught up in each group we stop being the church and knowing the benefits each age can bring.”  Many who called for a “multi-generational church” would do Sunday services as one body:  adult, youth, and children together as much as possible, emphasizing individual family worship and the church as one family rather than divided by ages.

Singles: 

A real “faith community” would focus on singles, not only asking them to attend, but actually ministering to them in their life and needs, and then helping them take their places in leadership.  The church often times looks over singles and focuses on families, often times pushing singles out. Not sure what the best solution for this one is yet.

Small groups:

Small group connections would be the norm, groups focused on helping Christians journey together in as many areas of life as possible.  Some see small groups as a part of the regular Sunday services offering; all see small groups as a part of church life through the week.  There is no perceived ideal size for small groups:  some see groups of three to twelve participants, others see ten to fifteen, the maximum membership seen for healthy interaction is twenty.

Several respondents see value in meeting in homes rather than the church facilities.  A few mentioned holding small groups instead of evening services.  All agreed that connections are much more easily made in smaller groupings of people.  Therefore, rather than work for numbers, we would work for connections and meaningful relationships.

Smaller churches or small group gatherings:

Several respondents would see the end of mega-churches as they exist now. All who offered this change said that it can be easy for individuals to “disappear” or be “isolated” in the middle of a crowd. In order to help believers live according to God’s creation of them and instructions to them, believers need help developing personal relationships with other believers.

Worship services: 

Several called for worship services to be both vertical and horizontal: vertical in worshipping God and hearing Him speak, horizontal in people sharing worship and Word, and interacting with each other in worshipping and listening to/learning the word. Examples given:

Give fifteen minutes to “icebreaker” groups of ten in which they meet each other;

Take pauses in the sermon in which people can move back to their “icebreaker” group to

discuss two or three questions or topics from the sermon;

Lower volume on worship teams so we can hear the entire body singing;

Corporate prayer moments during worship; end with shared prayer or altar time.

 

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Less grumpy people.  No further explanation needed, right? (See the listing, “Gospel”)

 

GOSPEL

The church would devote itself to growing the Gospel in people instead of building itself.

Our focus would be on continually teaching the Gospel of Jesus, the only message that saves from sin and gives purpose to life.  Our focus would be on growing the Gospel in every person we meet in the church and out.

 

GUESTS

Change how we welcome guests. The “coffee cup gift for new people” isn’t effective. We would have a group of people who are ready to welcome new guests after the worship service. They would make a personal connection and follow up personally later in the week.

A couple of respondents said all new people in the church (even current attendees) would immediately be placed in a ministry or small group that would then be responsible for them, their sense of belonging and discipleship.  Serving would be the goal.

 

HOLY SPIRIT

Teaching:

A handful wrote that the church needs to teach more on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  A couple (young ministers) remember times in their younger days when the church talked more about the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the body sought His presence on Sunday morning, passions and hungers that seem to have largely disappeared today.

Prayer:

Several wrote passionately about prayer:  the church would openly ask for God to speak and lead again in our services. These wrote:

“We seem to have learned all too well to do church without the touch of the Holy Spirit;”

“The voice of the Lord has been silenced by our own big mouths;”

“We would ask people to seek out prophecy more and not to be afraid to let God lead them;”

“There aren’t any words in church other than what we humans say; the Spirit has a lot to say in the church today if we would only let Him.”

One respondent said it this way:

“Believers from other countries tell us we’re doing well-programmed services about God but God has no place to move and no time to speak in our services.  This silently teaches us that He is not to move through our lives during the week. I would cut the programming and allow the Holy Spirit to move in worship, in preaching, in the ministry of believers.”

 

INTEGRITY

Less “church face.” We would cultivate a culture of authenticity and transparency in which people can open up about the real issues and questions they face in life.  To have integrity is not to be without fault, but to be whole, to “integrate” our faith and practice into one whole.  To do this I need help with the parts of me that don’t look like Jesus. But as long as looking the part is preferred over doing whatever it takes to grow, the church will be marked by masks.  God help us to take off our masks and ask for help.  God help us to be that church.

  

JESUS AT THE CENTER

A handful of respondents called for a return to Jesus.  Period.  “We would get the focus back to Jesus. All Jesus.”  They wrote that the church has been distracted by and wrapped up in what are really side issues.  While these side issues may in themselves have value, they make us drop the God issues:  God, people, and the Gospel – then getting these three essentials together in day by day life with others.  It’s all about Jesus.

 

LITURGICAL PRACTICES

One respondent advocated that the church reintroduce the ancient church’s liturgical practices. Many Protestant churches have thrown the “baby” out with the bath water. I think the church would be better if it reconnected with its historical roots.

 

MENTORSHIP

Many would bring back the biblical teaching and practice of mentorship or coaching. One respondent would require that all elders/seasoned saints “adopt” a youth student, praying for them and checking on them each week, even hosting them for dinner etc. from time to time.

Others see a church that intentionally works at getting older and younger generations together in mentoring relationships. Board members and older believers would mentor those younger than them, meeting once a month with them (guys with guys and girls with girls). They would help that individual grow in their faith and ability to lead in the church. They would help them accomplish a dream or vision that they have in ministry. Ideally we would create a culture where adults are automatically looking for someone to mentor and be mentored by.

Life’s Seasons / Mentorship:

A real “faith community” would offer ministries and programs for men/women that allow them to grow with others in the present season of life and into the season of life ahead of them.

If you’re a young mom (dad) you get to walk with a mom (dad) who has older kids, who will pour into you and encourage you as a wife/mother (husband/father).  You would then do the same for other young moms (or dads) who have children after you.

Pastors as Mentors (Coaches):

Young ministers who took our survey dream of a church in which pastors are free to (and actually do) again take an active role in mentoring their volunteers. A significant part of a pastor’s role is to empower and encourage their church members to be actively involved in the ministry of the church. Some of the most effective volunteer teams that I have seen are teams where a pastor or the pastor leading that volunteer team has been intentional about building a sense of community among the team members and mentoring them.

 

MISSION (LOCAL OUTREACH)

“Being” missional:

Many see a church that doesn’t just “do” works called missions, but actually “is” missional in its heart and mind and then its philosophy and strategy, so that it will then “do” missional, being more outward focused.  Many churches become so inward focused.

  Outreached Redefined:

The church must change our understanding of “outreach.” Inviting people to come from their world into the church world is not outreach. Outreach needs to be more of an external “on their home-turf/Away game” rather than a major event at our home field.  The church has a God-given opportunity to focus on mission via care for the community that each church or ministry is set in.One respondent would have the Church do fewer Bible studies and build more relationships with the unchurched in order to accomplish this purpose.

Many respondents said the church would provide consistent outreach and community ministry opportunities, even short-termed missions trips, for the whole family to serve together.

“We need then to properly motivate and adequate train people to personally share the Gospel in non-confrontational and conversational ways.”

Stewardship:

Respondents were very focused on stewarding church facilities and finances well. For example:

Several said they would have a Church more focused on people living “on mission” and less focused on programs and buildings. A large number would require that a certain amount of the church budget be allocated toward outward focused things rather than loans:  feeding the hungry, neighborhood help, helping people in need, service projects, outreaches.

If all the ministry programs of a local church suddenly froze, the budget zeroed out, and the building closed, the Gospel would still be going out and church gatherings would continue. If they didn’t, I’m afraid we were focused on the wrong things in the first place.

 

PASTORAL MINISTRY

Pastoral Culture:

Pastors would change our own culture and currency.  We would not be afraid of being judged by our Sunday morning attendance or how “cool” our ministry is.  We should instead measure ourselves on our faithfulness to God and His call.

The church can help pastors do this by giving them space and time to deliver a better definition of what a pastor is and actually live it. So much of pastoral ministry has become tech (spending time on computers; creating powerpoint; graphics; worship service production) and leadership technique where it used to be Word, prayer and people.  One pull-quote:  “I’m skeptical if you can call someone your pastor who you have never met and who doesn’t know your name.”

General:

Church leadership, pastors especially would, by example, lead the church in Acts 2.42-47: teaching the Apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, prayer, and breaking bread together. Cut out the CEOs and restore Book of Acts pastors to the church, men and women who give themselves to seeking God first so they can then serve God by leading His people in being the body of Christ.

Pastors as Mentors (Coaches):

Pastors would take an active role in mentoring their volunteers. A significant part of a pastor’s role is to empower and encourage their church members to be actively involved in the ministry of the church. Some of the most effective volunteer teams that I have seen are teams where a pastor or the pastor leading that volunteer team has been intentional about building a sense of community among the team members and mentoring them.

Pastoral Compensation:

Local churches would use clearer and more appropriate guidelines to compensate pastoral staff.  Whether that is local income bracket levels which include cost of living and local areas, but there would be a better process.

Pastoral Development:

One respondent cited a need for denominations to provide improved access to continuing education for pastors– pastoral education rather than leadership education.  He cited the weakness of pastoral education in his own denomination.

Another respondent advocated for denominational schools of ministry in every area of the US. Schools of ministry would work in partnership with the national denominational office and state offices. This would not be a liberal arts university (bringing back Bible Colleges), but work with a local community college for college credits. These Bible Colleges would be supported financially through Ministers Dues/Tithes, offering cheap if not free tuition.

Pastoral Hiring:

Several respondents noted the challenges involved in interviewing for and being offered a position in the local church. One would require churches to have a consistent hiring process for incoming pastoral staff. This could best be done through state level support and leadership: suggested guidelines and processes. The process need not be regulated by state leaders of the church, but their suggested guidelines could be distributed to all churches and pastors, and they could then be available to help any church or leader as they walk the process of locating and then calling new lead and staff pastors.

One respondent said that state level church leaders could further help by centralizing information about the availability of church positions:  “When I was looking for a pastoral job it was very secretive and every church had their own way of doing things. I would make it less secretive and more open to any credentialed minister.”

Pastoral Peer Mentorship:

A handful of respondents said the church could create better systems and networks for pastors to connect with other pastors in meaningful relationships. Pastors often feel alone when in reality there are other pastors who feel the same isolation or who are going through the same situations. I’m thankful for my denomination and how my state level church leadership is trying to somewhat do this. (NOTE:  This is one of Journey’s three principle tools)

Pastors at Prayer:

One wrote that the church would require a minimum of one hour of prayer per day for all staff pastors.  As a church we are “replacing the prayer room with the boardroom.”  He went on to write that prayer isn’t preparation for the greater work, it is the greater work: “So if we want revival, we would follow past revivals which all were started with prayer.”

Pastoral Staff:

One respondent would hire an Evangelism Pastor instead of a discipleship pastor.

Another wrote that the church would implement a mandatory oversight for how lead pastors handle conflict with staff pastors and lay leaders.  It would encourage lead pastors to follow biblical guidelines for dealing with conflict in the church to know that there will be church leaders outside of the situation viewing how things are handled.

 

PRAYER

Several respondents gave one-line statements on how they dream of a church at prayer:  

The Church would make prayer (personal/private and corporate/public) the its first priority and not its last resort.

The Church would require more personal and corporate prayer.

The Church would require inter denominational prayerbetween ministers and lay people.

More prayer:  I really tried to come up with a more specific way to say this and couldn’t. And not just prayer for things to be done, but corporate prayer to sense what God is doing.

 

PREACHING

The expository preaching of Bible books is on the heart and mind of a good number of our respondents.  Some advocate for expository preaching of the Scriptures in every Sunday service while others advocate for anywhere from one to two books of the Bible per year.  One mentioned lead pastors making good use of their staff pastors and guest preachers in this ministry of the Word of God.

One respondent said it this way: The church would increase expository preaching and a rhythmic/liturgical approach to teaching solid theology coupled with orthopraxy to improve the education of spiritual development in all facets of life.

 

THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS

The priesthood of all believers was a very frequent response.

In general, many respondents see a church in which there is “less of a clergy-laity divide” or less “pastors-as-performers and “people-as-spectactors.”  They do not see “the priesthood of all believers” as a removal of vocational ministry.  Not at all.  Instead, they see “the priesthood of all believers” as “all believers – and each believer – actively engaged in minisry” rather than attending services or sitting on their hands.

Part of this definition includes seeing congregants less dependent on the pastor and congregants more dependent on each other, more dependable in ministering to each other.

One pastor wrote, “As a pastor I find the weight of the church to be overwhelming at times. People seem to think the only person capable of ministering is the pastor. Simply not true, each Christian has abilities to minister to other believers.”

About half of respondents calling for the priesthood of believers cited the primary pastoral ministry ofequipping believers.  They see a church in which believers allow leaders to equip believers to do the work of the ministry rather than burden leaders with ministries that could be carried out and led by church members. This would take pressures off of pastors and allow church members to be an active part of the church instead of sitting on the sidelines. Also, it could lead to less critical attitudes when the people are the ones doing the work.

As a part of this pastoral equipping of believers, several would introduce spiritual gifts and ministries training where believers find specific passions/talents or God given gifts and are then given ministry with other believers where they can most effectively edify the entire body.

Others stressed the importance of equipping the saints for reaching the lost.  Several wrote that the church is effective in ministering to the needs of those already in the church, but weak in turning the eyes of those in the church to those who do not know Christ and then training them to reach them with the Gospel.

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

One respondent hopes for “a church in which social justice is a bigger priority in the lives of believers. From adoption to poverty to the environment to serving the homeless, church would be less about learning and more about doing things together.”

 

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

One respondent called for a return to “a neglected discipline: fasting.”

 

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship was on the mind of many.  The principle thoughts were these:

The church would require a certain amount of the church budget be allocated on outward focused ministry rather than buildings and the loan payments they require.  Several respondents see large loan payments as obstacles to needed ministry like helping the poor, service projects, neighborhood outreach, etc.

Several would see every church designate a minimum of their income to the support of the missionaries sent out by their state.  The lowest percentage suggested was 5%; the highest percentage suggested was 50%. Not only would this see missionaries funded and on their fields instead of in the US working hard and spending more money to raise their budget, but it would help balance the emphasis on reaching people near the church and far from the church.

One respondent sees a church budget focused clearly on the advancement of the Gospel rather than the comfort of congregants.“Thousands, tens of thousands of dollars on smoke machines, lights, higher resolution screens does little to advance the gospel. It does well in comforting the saints, but it is the lost we are trying to reach. May we never get lost in the pursuit of relevance.”

 

SUNDAY SERVICES

A surprising number of respondents called for more intergenerational activities (mentorship, gatherings, groups), including Sunday worship.  Most advocated for middle-schoolers through retirees worshipping together; a few also advocated for regular-occasional intergenerational worship for all ages elementary and older.

As noted above, several would move evening services from meeting in a central location to small gatherings of believers in homes.

Again, several called for more interactional moments in Sunday services.  Examples given:

Give fifteen minutes to “icebreaker” groups of ten in which they meet each other;

Take pauses in the sermon in which people can move back to their “icebreaker” group to

 discuss two or three questions or topics from the sermon;

Lower volume on worship teams so we can hear the entire body singing;

Corporate prayer moments during worship; end with shared prayer or altar time.

 

VISION CASTING

One respondent sees every church having an annual vision casting service.  Instead of a “reporting” style annual business meeting, churches would celebrate the “wins” of the past year

as well as set a direction for the year ahead. Such a meeting would help the church unite around a shared vision and move ahead in it.

 

VOCATIONAL MINISTRY SCHOOLS / PASTORAL DEVELOPMENT

Denominations would establish schools of ministry in every area of the US. Schools of ministry would work in partnership with the national denominational office and state offices. This would not be a liberal arts university (bringing back Bible Colleges), but work with a local community college for college credits. These Bible Colleges would be supported financially through Ministers Dues/Tithes, offering cheap if not free tuition.

 

WITNESS

Every day action would be emphasized over weekly attendance. We wonder why our churches are suffering when we are telling people to attend church and bring their friends instead of being the hands of Christ to their friends. It’s difficult to fill a church when no who is there is living as a witness.

 

WOMEN IN MINISTRY

Two respondents cited a need for more open doors in ministry for women. They see a church in which women can prove their qualities and abilities without having to sacrifice being wife or mother.  The desire is not to be given anything except consideration and opportunity to bring vital ministry to the church and surrounding community.

 

WORLD MISSIONS

Many are ready for churches to prioritize the principle of world missions by designating a minimum of their annual income to support missionaries sent out from their district/state. Respondents set this minimum at various levels:  five percent, ten percent, or somewhere between twenty and fifty percent.  This would help balance the emphasis on reaching the local people as well as expanding to unreached people.

One cited the importance of integrating world missions and local outreach in one expression of the Gospel in action: the two must not be “either-or.” From our own front door to the ends of the earth, we are actively and appropriately bring the Gospel to people and making disciples.

 

WORSHIP

The only repeated theme was that we select songs for worship that include more Scripture and reflect key doctrinal positions.  “Worship is an excellent avenue to teach our congregations” and to “help them hide His Word in their hearts.”  “The Psalms are not just the songbook of the Bible but have been the songbook of the people of God for millennia in the past.” Several respondents also mentioned lower sound volumes so that worshippers can hear the entire congregation worshipping together.

 

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

One respondent wrote of placing a prioritized focus on ministries to youth and children, explaining, “The next generation must be a priority for our churches. A big focus means we will resource it, talk about it, and help engage the next generation.”