Looking into the Future: The Top 10 Changes for the American Church
8. More Relevant and Leading Edge
For many years, the American church assumed that it was relevant because it existed in a Christian nation. A generation or two ago, the church was the center of community life. During this era, church planting often took the “if we build it, parishioners will come” mentality. Questions about relevance were rarely raised in any formal setting and even less frequently factors considered in the creation of strategic plans.
In a post-Christian era, churches must consider the relevancy issue as it relates to two groups: those already affiliated and those not yet affiliated. For those already affiliated, such as members and regular participants, it cannot be assumed that membership or affiliation is a long-term commitment. The back door of many churches remains wide open. By assuring worship and ministry activities are relevant, churches can help narrow the back door. For those not yet affiliated, the American consumer mentality tends to lead prospective participants to approach involvement by asking what a church can do for or offer to an individual or to the individual’s family unit. For those not yet familiar with or a part of the Christian tradition, the way into involvement often involves invitation by a friend who is already involved but relevance quickly becomes a factor when such a person considers ongoing involvement.
Traditionally the rate of change within the church has been slower than the rate of change within the culture. The church has been reactive rather than proactive. In today’s hi-tech world, this is perhaps most clearly evidenced in the type of technology used.
So What?
When considering relevance and being leading edge, the questions should focus on how to reach people and involve them in a life of authentic Christian discipleship. Consider the following questions:
- Would a sociologist unfamiliar with Christianity consider your congregation, its ministries and worship to be in the 1950s? 80s? 90s? the present? the future?
- Why does your congregation exist? Is relevance a consideration in your congregational mission? Do those you seek to reach find your methods relevant?
- Does the preaching and teaching address real world issues from a Christian perspective?
- Does your congregation empower disciples to do/experience ministry rather than simply learn about or fund it?
- How does your faith community seek to make real the message of Jesus to those who live closest to your church campus? Is your congregation involved in the community so that it is clear that the parish is passionate about and makes a genuine commitment to love neighbors, beginning with those in close proximity?
- How do you utilize technology on Sunday morning? In other discipling and serving ministries? To help those involved stay connected? To invite the uninvolved to consider connecting?
- What changes has your congregation made in the last ten years to ensure it is able to be more responsive to realized needs and more able to quickly implement strategic change?