Practically everyone involved with the Church today recognizes that the Church is in the midst of a paradigm shift. I date its beginning in 1958 when church attendance as a percentage of the US population began its decline.
Over these last few decades, the Church has lacked clarity and direction. Congregations have struggled to provide effective ministry. They have tried many different strategies that have largely failed as church attendance has continued its persistent national decline. Two (maybe more) generations have been lost to the Church during this time of confusion.
The last time the Church went through such a radical shift in its paradigm of ministry was in the 3rd and 4th centuries. The Church transitioned from a persecuted minority to become a state sponsored church of the Constantinian Empire. A hundred years later it became the Holy Roman Empire. A paradigm shift in church ministry is happening again and after fifty years I believe signs of the future model of Church Ministry are finally in sight.
The Bible tells us that without vision the people perish. I share this vision of a paradigm of Church ministry in the hope it will continue discussion and bring more clarity to where God is leading us.
A NEW PARADIGM OF CHURCH MINISTRY
1. The Church is a Mission Outpost
There is a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of ministry throughout the world. The congregation of the future will be involved in reaching out globally. Just coming to church and giving a donation will not be enough for future members. We need to change our image from being a destination point to being a launching point for ministry.
There is a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of ministry throughout the world. The congregation of the future will be involved in reaching out globally. Just coming to church and giving a donation will not be enough for future members. We need to change our image from being a destination point to being a launching point for ministry.
2. The Church is Focused Foremost on Evangelism
Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ locally and globally is central. Local and global outreach is fundamental to serving the needs of people. Evangelism and service are intertwined.
Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ locally and globally is central. Local and global outreach is fundamental to serving the needs of people. Evangelism and service are intertwined.
3. The Church is a Counter-Cultural Expression
Sharing the love of God with all people without compromising the Word of God will be central to the life of the Church. The Church will increasingly lift up a model of life substantially different from what is culturally accepted.
Sharing the love of God with all people without compromising the Word of God will be central to the life of the Church. The Church will increasingly lift up a model of life substantially different from what is culturally accepted.
4. The Church is the Living Community of the Body of Christ
Increasingly, the focus on community will grow more important as the culture becomes more and more fragmented. The need for a strong sense of belonging will also grow more important as Christians find themselves living in the wilderness of moral and ethical decay. This need for community will limit the size of an individual congregation. The need for community combined with the desire for evangelism will move a congregation to establish other campuses in its local area, new congregations outside its local area and congregations around the world.
Increasingly, the focus on community will grow more important as the culture becomes more and more fragmented. The need for a strong sense of belonging will also grow more important as Christians find themselves living in the wilderness of moral and ethical decay. This need for community will limit the size of an individual congregation. The need for community combined with the desire for evangelism will move a congregation to establish other campuses in its local area, new congregations outside its local area and congregations around the world.
5. The Church is Programmed to Meet the Needs of the Whole Person
It's not just about spirituality and worship. The Church needs to attend to the whole person, body, heart, mind and soul because any one part affects the whole person. If we are ailing spiritually, it affects our body and vice-versa. If we have "stinking thinking," it affects our whole person and the way we interact with others in life. Ministry must be programmed to meet the needs of the whole person.
These five elements reflect some of the characteristics of where I believe the Lord is leading the Church especially in North America. I would appreciate your comments, additions, and corrections.
It's not just about spirituality and worship. The Church needs to attend to the whole person, body, heart, mind and soul because any one part affects the whole person. If we are ailing spiritually, it affects our body and vice-versa. If we have "stinking thinking," it affects our whole person and the way we interact with others in life. Ministry must be programmed to meet the needs of the whole person.
