I had the privilege of hanging out in Charlotte this week with Dave Travis of Leadership Network while hosting a Cornerstone Conference and speaking at the WFx Conference. Dave has worked with churches across the US the past 13 years and has a way of saying it the way it is. Check out his take on what’s happening and what’s not:
What’s happening:
- Mainline churches (Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, etc.) are in a serious decline with the average church size of 75.
- There has been a shift to larger churches with 57% of attendees going to a church of 400+ and 10% 2000+.
- At the same time, there is no abatement to “church planting,” as the brightest young leaders are no longer drawn to the large established churches and want to do their own thing.
- Social media and web 2.0 is pervasive, with all Sr. Pastors under 40 using tools like Facebook, Twitter and blogs. (85% of all 18-29 year olds were on social media sites last month.)
- Internet church campuses are here and working.
- Multi-site and multi-venue is here to stay.
- There are more church preaching teams versus the star preachers of the past.
- Online giving is growing and makes up 80% of all donations in Europe.
- There are more multi-racial and international churches.
- People are envisioning ministry far beyond the walls of the church.
What’s not happening, though some say it is:
- The death of the mega church (2000+ weekend attendance).
- Any real significant growth of house churches or organic churches.
- Any real growth in downtown/urban churches.
- A change in driving habits – even though gas is more expensive.
- A change in the number of people claiming no religion.
- Any real significant growth in the Muslim population, which is hovering around 2-3%.
What’s not happening now, but is coming:
Women as teaching pastors.- Foreign teaching pastors with accents.
- Missionaries to the US from outside the country.
- Missional/incarnational ministry strategies within the mega churches.
- Learning to live with shrinking church budgets.
- Online church leadership development.
- A change in the funeral business – boomers will reinvent funerals with more cremations and open mike community services.
- Outsourcing more church services.
What’s not happening, but should be:
- On-site health clinics.
- Off-site church office space.
- Church services targeted to the 55+ age group versus just the young parent crowd.
- Green buildings.
Anything surprise, encourage, or concern you?’
I like it. Love, J
I like the green buildings and medical clinic ideas…I’m still not on the band wagon for women pastors even with the title “teacher” attached to it to make it a smoother transition…and I’m a women so I can say it right? =) I want men to take the lead…they were built for it and if women step up (which they might need to like Deborah) it means that there are too many men at home watching football or something. Where are you guys!?
An
An,
Humm…at home watching football or something?
There seems to be some truth to that concern. However, somewhere along the line men were told to be sensitive, nice, and domestic even though we were made for a battle to fight and an adventure to live (think Abraham saving Lot, David going after Goliath, Daniel standing by a purpose firm, etc).
It seems many a Christian man is confused about his role and purpose. So could it be they live their adventure vicariously through football and other sports because that’s the only adventure they have to live?
Ed
Oh, I just picked football as a random example…I think it’s a worthy pass-time in moderation and enjoy a game with Luke now and then.
I think it’s a networking tool due to it’s ease of conversation starter material when guys get together. BUT, I think many men take the game last night more seriously than the game that wages for their family and and their own heart…that bugs me. I’ve got my own things that distract me from the things that are most important myself.
There will be consequences when men back down from their role as leaders though…there always was in the Bible anyway. Women were built with too many feelers for everyone’s emotions to lead the way a church needs to be led (I’ll add an annoying “I think” here =). Now were women made with superior traits for their God given roles, I should think so. There’s this issue with thinking one role is bigger and better than another and we miss that Christ had no trouble submitting to His role as stated in scripture. We’re all working on a big purpose here together.
The servant of lowest degree will be the exhalted one in the end if they accomplished what they were created to do. I can’t wait to see how it all pans out, I think we’ll be surprised. =)
An
I agree with An…especially in reference to the football thing.
I’ll stop there because my husband says my opinion is overly strong. I’m biting my tongue here because I think I won’t express my thoughts correctly…it would be better to be able to “talk it out” and I don’t want to smash some people’s toes as I do it! ha ha.
Off site church office space? Why?
OK ladies,
Why do you think the men lose their focus at times and stray into other distractions (like football) that dilute their leadership?
Is it because they simply lack spirituality?
If so, why do you think that has happened (considering that there’s nothing new under the sun right)?
What should/can we do to have an impact on that issue?
Ed
Hey Doug,
The thought regarding office space was simply a stewardship issue. Many times it’s much less expensive renting space in an existing building down the street than building it on site.
You have more flexibility as well if you need more or less space 5 years from now.
Ed
Hmm…
Surprised to see this thread turn in this direction, but as someone who sees not just football, but other sports as more than just a distraction…maybe I can help shed some light on why it is a tad bit more than just a game for most men.
Ed I dont think these games dilute leadership at all…in fact some of the greatest leaders of men have used sports such as football (Tony Dungy?) and basketball (John Wooden?) as a vehicle to get their messages about leadership out into the public, and teach and lead young men along the way.
Without kids, men (and women too) loving their favorite passtime with ferver and passion, those of us who coach or have coached or even play sports would not have been able to reach others without using sport (or even a conversation on the big game) as a vehicle.
So this is a long winded way of saying throughout history men have needed these games as a way to lead!
The same goes for Art and Music…these are vehicles for leaders much more than distractions.
Isn’t that what makes these conversations interesting…you never know where they’ll go.
But you share a valuable point Derek…
Sports as well as fishing, hunting and many other activities can be a powerful vehicle if we are intentional about it. And if we’re intentional, they are a tool for a greater purpose (as you’re suggesting) not the purpose themselves.
But even good things like sports, or even church, can become a liability when we lose sight of their real purpose and place in our broader life journey. We all know pastors who became too sucked into their church responsibilities and ended up losing their family?
Thanks for weighing in and offering another take on the subject. Its a great conversation that is challenging my priorities on a few things.
Ed
Ed,
I like your point about being a liability…
I suppose the greater point is that we need to use all of life’s “stuff” for our greater purpose, rather than getting sucked in to our responsibilities and recreation and putting more stock in them then they are really worth.
Leaders are probably the ones who can separate these things.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Hey thanks Derek…
I think 2 Peter 1:5-11 clarifies what we’re trying to get our arms around here. What do you think?
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,
Ahh yes Ed, I think you’ve found it. Peter is telling us (in my estimation) that we should be balanced…and i think thats exactly what we’re getting at here.
God seems to hide all these little things in life as rewards for the diligent/ those who strive to be balanced.
Amen…good stuff.
Ed
The only thing that I don’t agree with is #3 on the “What’s not happening, though some say it is” list.
3.Any real growth in downtown/urban churches. ?
I have seen a lot of urban church’s that have grown like crazy in the last ten years. The numbers go into the thousands, but they don’t seem to make the lists that see in the Christian research magazines.
I do believe that the numbers will grow even larger in the near future based on the economic conditions. more and more people are going to look to the Church for answers and help.
Tyrone,
You bring up an interesting point. I wonder if there is significant growth that is overlooked.
Dave Travis shared there is much talk about urban growth but the numbers don’t bear it out. As you mentioned there are several urban mutli-racial churches that have grown quite large but it seems that at the same time many smaller urban churches have struggled or faded away.
Ed
Last night at “Five guys burger and fries” I was looking at a magazine cover that was framed on the wall while waiting for our order with Luke. It had pictured Peyton Manning, Tony Dungy and another athlete I didn’t recognize with white robes and halos. The subtitle read “Bringing Faith back to football” if I remember it right (I tried to google it, but didn’t find it). All this to say that I can see how football can be used as a way to build up by example. I really didn’t mean to point my finger at just one thing…I was thinking of anything that makes a guy zone/drop out of life for a big chunks of time. We need you. We need your leadership.
I’ve never thought of Tony Dungy and wondered why he spends so much time watching football…come on! =) That’s his avenue. I think “the incredible” may help us a little here. =) Mr. incredible can’t be a super hero anymore because of ridiculous law suite issues and has basically no motivation to do anything. He sits in a tiny cubical all day with the purpose of not paying out on insurance policies and hates the door handle on his car that won’t close when he gets home. He has shadows under his eyes; he has no avenue to use his given gifts. He sits. He is still. He was made to protect, but he’s stuck. He is totally transformed when he is called on an undercover mission and when he is faced with defending his own family. I love that plot line. I love to see him come out of the haze. I want that for any guy who is on the sidelines…I really just want you all in the game and not on the couch just watching.
Fight for the real Heisman boys.
NKJV 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
my respects to you all =)
An
An,
Great thoughts…and a great connect with “The Incredible”.
The “Incredibles” story line connects because its God’s story line for us. When we die to self and allow him to remake us in His image…all we’ve been created to be comes to life.
The shadows under our eyes disappear and we spring to life, no longer for our purpose, but for His. The only purpose that matters.
Ed