12 Church Trends in the Next 12 Years

Just some ruminations about the future of the church. Nothing scientific here...

1. Conventional small groups will be replaced by less conventional discipling communities and environments
2. The first church to reach 1 million people in size will be a global church
3. Seminaries will offer more practical ministry training through video-venue partnerships with landmark churches
4. The shortage of qualified worship leaders and musicians will limit the growth of video-venue churches
5. Many video venue churches will, in time, become independent congregations with their own live pastor
6. The practical role of Bishop will reemerge as mother churches raise up younger pastors to plant satellite churches
7. Denominations will be replaced by church planting networks which will carry out similar functions
8. Churches will partner with more humanitarian relief organizations than missions organizations to address global issues
9. There will be a resurgance in the emphasis on theological training of pastors - not for degrees, but for apologetics
10. Churches will begin naming and renaming themselves to reflect theological convictions
11. We will recognize problems resulting from planting too many caucasion-invasion churches
12. Churches will no longer be characterized by worship styles because of multiple venues

Comments

[jason allen]

I like your list Ben. I could definitely see several of those coming about, particularly in relation to multi-site and theological education.

A big question in my mind. Do we intentionally go for some of these or passively address the situations as they arise?

[michael bells]

Interesting list... probably most, if not all, will develop to one degree or another.
A couple of questions:
1/ is video venue the best way to plant/build a network/multi-venue church.
2/ I wonder about the future of theological education. One of the strengths of a school is the dialogue that takes place both formally & informally [the atrium at Regent College in Vancouver] is one of the best things about the school [bookstore - coffee shop - discussion] & they have some great profs. Do we lose some of that if we go to a video feed to a locale where there may be more similarity than diversity? How do we shape theological education so that it is more assessible to the whole body? I think that much of the time our theological institutions propogate the clergy-laity seperation. Even our language [& I have been guilty of this] often calls "pastors" to a role rather than a gifting.
Just some preliminary thoughts... thanks for posting this list.
Mike

[Chris]

Well Ben,

Today was my Sabbath...But now you've messed that up with these thoughts. Esp #1.

Good stuff.

Shalom from Austin

[emma]

Particularly struck by no. 8 especially... I'm pretty excited about that one to be honest!

[mike white]

Forgive my ignorance Ben... what is caucasion invasion church?

[michael bells]

Chris from Austin
I think SG will become increasing foundational to understanding what the church is... probably thinking in terms of "cells" in connection with the "body" is a good way of thinking. The other aspect of this is a move from "community" to "communitas"

[Ben]

mike, at last year's catalyst and other church planter gatherings, i was struck by the lack of african american emerging leaders attending these events... also, hispanic church plants seem to be 30 years behind in leadership development, but they're the fastest growing population segment in US

i think seminary education will have to become much more practical and church-based, but when it does, we'll see more and more emerging leaders attending classes throughout the week. the local staff will take-on a much more ephesians 4 approach to ministry by equipping and training

...so discussion will be better because it's more practical and contextually based

[michael bells]

I am getting a little tired of "token" "ethnic" representation at various christian events - that's been my observation up here in Canada. I know the argument is often, we can't find the "quality" or the "experience" we want... but then that is the fault of the caucasian churches for not being part of developing those leaders... isn't this what discipleship is all about?

I know in some of the events I have been part of, there have been relatively few caucasians who take the time to talk with those from a different ethnic background... I find that sad... as we live in an increasingly multi-cultural, multi-ethnic world.

If theological education is shaped in such a way that it is more accessible, and helps the church become more Eph 4 focused that is great... as long as it keeps the diversity that is found in schools like Regent College.

[david rudd]

i think you are spot-on with several of these, ben.

i'm especially intrigued by the "bishop" idea. and i hope you're right.

i've also been disappointed that we (my church tradition) operate in so much of a vacuum.

[Michael]

Great list, Ben. I see a lot of the same.

[Rich Butler]

Ben,

Thanks for your list. It was thought provoking. #3 was great and I hope it will become a reality. My experince in seminary consisted of 0% practicality....so I hear you loud and clear.

Thanks.

Rich

[Paul Stewart]

Ben,

Wow, great list! I was most struck by #1. I lead the small group ministry at our church and am constantly looking for better ways to do this.

Last year we went to a more "free market" approach, but I've recently been studying NorthPoint's philosophy.

Their goal is to provide a "predictable" small group environments to everyone who attends. They train everyone the same way, and it obviously works.

I would rather give leadership principles and let people run with it. Have the leader figure out for himself how to make mountain biking a spiritual/discipleship experience. The problem is, I haven't really seen that happen yet.

What is the solution?

Paul

[Ben]

I think a new model is emerging, but no one can articulate it yet. It's the mix of a free market group with a more intentional discipleship strategy. It's in the prototype development stage. =)

[jordan]

I pray that you thought on the video venues becoming churches with an indigenous pastor would come true. The verdict is still out on the video venue as to how incarnational it can be...don't be fooled by those who think that its validity is a settled matter. My fear is that is creates a culture of superstar teachers, pontiffs, if you would and the church in the West stays personality driven. In the persecuted church of the East,they politely "smirk" when I mention the video venue concept happening in America. They cannot imagine church without incarnation including in leadership and teaching.

[James]

there already is a church that numbers 1 million - Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea - Pastor David Cho, and all their members are in South Korea. Nice try though.

[Ben]

Yoido Full Gospel Church has 800,000 members.