Last month “Rev” magazine ran a cover story questioning, “Is the American Church In Crisis?” And Australian Al Hirsch, respected pastor and author, recently commented:
“”The U.S. in the last hope for Christianity in the Western World.”
Add to that Barna research in 2007 revealing the 16-29 year old age group in America has a bad or very bad impression of evangelicals and view the church as judgmental as well as hypocritical.
Something has changed and the old patterns don’t seem to work. How can we understand the “Underlying Movements” behind this pervasive shift in culture?
“Underlying Movements” are those unseen influences lurking below the surface that provoke people to act differently. Through years of research and conversations with ministry leaders around the country we at the Cornerstone Knowledge Network (CKN) have identified “Six Underlying Movements” . Movements we must learn to navigate if we hope for a ministry that connects and transforms lives.
Most people are aware of the power of the “Home Court Advantage”. It’s interesting how much bolder, more relaxed, and effective we seem to be on our home court. They estimate it’s a 6-10 point advantage.
For years the US has been the center of Christianity. A majority of missionaries came from here along with the financial resources. As global innovation and technology shift from the Western world to China and India, are there implications for us as Christians?
Take a look at these statistics concerning this “Global Shift” in Christianity. China is experiencing an estimated 20,000 conversions to Christianity a day. Africa and South America similar explosions. The center for Christianity is shifting East and South. It is projected we will lose our Christian “Home Court” advantage and all that comes with it. 
Things like implied trust, common language, and limited options to our beliefs and ministry. It will require a sharper effort to gain trust and buy in to the cause of Christ.
The global shift and its impacts will be pervasive. And it will require a whole new skill to reach a whole new mind in the US. Pastor Dave Ferguson from Community Christian Church opened my eyes to one key. We will need to learn how to attract and keep the “Creative Class” involved in our paid and unpaid staffs. Their gifts of communication and creativity will become increasingly important to our future ministry effectiveness.
As we compete with Islam and other religions on a level playing field our message will need to be much more focused and compelling. Fuzzy ministry vision, soft execution, flavors of the month themes, and in general weak leadership will not speak powerfully into the fray. And we’ll need to be more strategic and intentional than we ever thought was important, or possible!
