Monday Morning Insights

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    This was 1981.  But what will the Church look like in 2040?

    This was 1981.  But what will the Church look like in 2040?

    "Imagine sitting down to drink your morning cup of coffee, turning on your computer, and using it to read your daily newspaper... It's not as farfetched as it may seem".  It was almost 30 years ago.  1981.  The year before I graduated high school.  Take a look at this short news report about the internet, then I'm going to ask you to put on your thinking cap...

    That was almost 30 years ago, yet I remember it like yesterday.  How things have changed in 30 years.

    The church has gone through massive changes over the past 30 years as well.  I've been involved in ministry for almost 25 years, most of that time serving on a church staff.  Things are definitely different now than when I started.  Some of the changes have been great.  Some not so much.

    But what about the next 30 years?

    In 30 years, my kids will be 48, 46, 44, and 42. I'm guessing my grandkids will likely be teenagers.  I will be 75.  What will the church look like then?

    In 1981, turning on a computer to read your newspaper seemed 'farfetched'.  This morning, I can flip on my iPad and read USA TODAY or any other newspaper in seconds.  (The first newspaper took over 2 hours to download just the text.  And you had to pay for all of your 'on-line minutes'!)

    I'm wondering today?  What seems farfetched in our minds about the church, that my grandchildren will think is normal?  What will the church look like in 2040?  Will we even recognize it?

    What do you think I'll be wearing to worship when I'm 75?  What will I be singing?  Will I even go to worship in a building?

    Will sermons still be boring?  Will there still be sermons?

    Will John Piper and Rick Warren still be friends?

    What version of the Bible will we use in 2040?

    What will technology look like?

    How many campuses will Mars Hill and LifeChurch.tv have?

    I have many questions.  Please give me some answers.

    And add your questions and thoughts to the comments section below as well.  What will the church look like in 2040?

    Thanks,

    Todd

    PS-- even more specifically than "THE CHURCH", what will YOUR CHURCH look like in 2040?  What are you doing now that will impact the next 30 years of your church and community?

    Comments

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    1. David C. on Mon, April 12, 2010

      Some of you have made some good comments. I appreciate Keith’s insight as he simply addressed history, and how those who ignore it will invariably deal with the same. I wish I could say some better things in response to Todd’s questions but this is what I see:

      Our grandchildren can expect to see more and more churches in the USA that are lax with sin issues because we have paved the way. By falling asleep in our reliance on God’s word to guide us, and not raising the bar for our congregations, we are letting those outside the Church tell us what is judgmental and truly wrong. Biblical illiteracy will increase while outspoken Christian opinions will sky-rocket (a dangerous combination). I think Church attendance might grow because the more lax we get in confronting sin, the less reason people will have to stay away from the great interaction with others that we can find at a church. As scripture tells us, our ‘churches’ will become places to hear things that tickle the ears and entertain us but don’t really affect lasting change IN us. Our ‘change’ will be motivated by the political arena (and thus be a very weak incentive) instead of the hard but wonderful word of God. I can only guess why Todd would call sermons boring based on what I have seen and experienced: I am bored when the number of illustrations on a passage (i.e. outside the Bible, personal anecdotes, etc.) dwarf the passage and its explanation; I see my youth group kids bored when the Bible is being read and the pastor’s not making them laugh.

      God’s grace is not something we use to ignore sin, but to watch in awe as the God who has set the standard (and condemned our sin) nevertheless calls us His own through Christ. As a youth pastor I am often saddened by how infrequently the adults in my church give these youth an example to follow. What picture, then, do the youth see of the transformative power of God’s word in a believer’s life? We cannot live however we like and then expect God to work in their lives independent of our influence. This may be seen as too harsh but I hope all of you adults will take this from one given the charge to instruct your kids: I’ve got twice a week to make an impact, how much do you have? If they don’t see a change in you, then the likelihood of them being changed by God is very slim. The Church of tomorrow will look exactly like you are preparing it to look with your words and deeds. Are we teaching reliance on the Christ who molds us to His image, or that ‘church’ is one of our obligations during the week?

    2. Ronnie on Mon, April 12, 2010

      In 2040, I believe every society in every country will hunger for trust and paranoia will rule every life. I foresee the downfall of mega church as future governments are afraid of too many people gathering in one place. Therefore I envision a return of Jesus’ original plan for church - where two or three gather, there I will be in their midst - a powerful alliance of two or three faithful Christians (or a small group) ‘playing’ church everywhere and influencing lives!

    3. Leonard on Mon, April 12, 2010

      Hey Ronnie, the scripture you reference about 2 or 3 really has nothing to do with Christ design for the church.

    4. Ronnie on Tue, April 13, 2010

      Yeah - sorry - I take back that comment about original plan of church. Tks Leonard for pointing that out. I was reading about disciples going out two by two when Jesus called them and they did powerful stuffs!

    5. RevKev on Tue, April 13, 2010

      Great discussion! I may have taken a less optimistic approach to the future if I had not attended Catalyst in CA in 2009. Wow! I was one of the older pastors there (55)... I am sure. The type of young leaders of Jesus’ church that I saw and met there are passionate and dedicated to evangelism and biblical truth - while remaining relevant. If they are leading, then I am on the journey with them. I I can’t be 30 again, then I hope I live to 120 so I can watch it all unfold! “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Who said that?

      By the way David Buckham… Population of 25,000 and 180 churches? Blows me away. Our town has approx 25,000 people and 11 churches serving the community. Many drive outside the city, but still… interesting.

    6. David Buckham on Tue, April 13, 2010

      RevKev,

      The 180 churches in a county (not just a community) of 25,000 is a very, very bad thing. Most of those churches are from church splits. I know a few stubborn churches that run 3-7 and have for years. While there are a few churches over 100 (our version of a mega-church) the average church size is just over 20.

      all about Christ,
      David

    7. Bob Weis on Tue, April 13, 2010

      I think the church will change significantly.  I believe new tax laws will be imposed and the giving will be cut and many churches will close due to the cost of operation.  The younger generation is not financially supporting the church now and that won’t change.  Mom and dad who are supporting the church now will be gone.  Technology will take on a more dominate roll in our lives and more people will be watching church from their iwhatever and going to church will not be important.  People are already working from their computers at home.  Why not watch church online when you want to.  In reality…in 30-40 years I will be complaining of how loud the music is and what ever happened to the music I liked!

    8. Steve on Sun, April 25, 2010

      Just for fun, did you notice what the headline was back then? Democrats spending money!!!

      Technology changes but some things don’t! I hope the same will be said about Christians, Their technology changes but their message and goals are still the same

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