A Decade of Changes (Part 2)
The year 2000 seems like an eternity ago, but here we are already at 2010. And so much has changed, even (or especially) in the church world. Yesterday I reflected on four significant shifts that have taken place since the beginning of the last decade. Today I wrap it up with these…
Senior Leaders
2000: Leaders of fast-growing or high-impact churches tended to be huge, solo personalities. The staff surrounding these individuals never seemed to stay long–they would go someplace else where there was room for them also to lead. 2010: Although there are still plenty of examples of the solo-model, a study of many high-profile churches finds a team leadership model. Still with a lead pastor–others are encouraged and empowered to soar in their own leadership gifts.
Community Impact
2000: "Come to a service. Volunteer for a ministry. Help grow the church." None of that was bad, but it was very inward focused. The mindset was to make the church stronger and more feature-filled so that when our friends visit, it will be a great place for them to meet Christ. 2010: Added to that, there is a deep-felt sense that if we don't make a difference in the local community, then our Christianity is in question. More churches are becoming intentional about improving the statistics in their city on crime, education, poverty, hunger and violence.
Missions
2000: Nearly every church believed the philosophy of the parachurch missions agencies: "Pay, pray, and get out of the way!" They didn't want our involvement, just our money. We would spread our money to 13 different missionaries across the world and pat ourselves on the back because the global map looked great with all the pins and thread showing our impact. 2010: Some churches are beginning to move from the shot-gun approach to laser-focused missions. Some are beginning to see the value in deep, long-lasting, holistic, culture-changing, high-impact ministry in one location year after year after year.
One Team
2000: Every church was an island. You wouldn't think of working with another church across the state, and definitely not one down the street. 2010: Churches are beginning to realize we are all on the same team. Some of the turf-guarding and competitive bickering is decreasing. We are coming together for things like One Prayer and The Exponential Initiative. And we aren't worried about denominational labels or methodological leanings.
Some of these changes may seem more hopeful than real in your particular setting–but from where I sit, I'm seeing these changes. Some of them in isolated churches, and others are more wide-spread.
I could add more, but I'd rather hear your thoughts. What else do you see that has changed in the past ten years?
Posted by Tim Stevens | 18 comments
Maljr
Absolutely good stuff. Thanks Tim.
I would also add, that goes with things on this page, churches seeing themselves as missionaries to their communities. Seeing themselves as being on a divine, sent from God mission to reach & transform our communities with the Gospel.
Eldon Kelley
I agree. Especially in our small rural setting, we totally view ourselves as missionaries. Not just us as a family, but the entire church. It not just the guys in Africa anymore.
Robin
I definitely agree with missions. I was a missions coordinator in my first church and i thought the "shotgun" approach was the only way. 10 years later, in my current church, we focus more on our community and have 1 overseas mission. Lots better. We can't ignore our communities and throw a little money at alot of different missions.
twitter.com/lunchbox
I am not sure that anything you have listed here is uniquely Christian or uniquely about the church. We have seen these shifts in the business communiity at large. What would you say about specific ways that the church has changed over the decade? How much more biblical is our teaching? How much more expressly Christian are our services? How are churches spending more time emphasizing the saving grace of Christ in weekly presentation of the Gospel for believers and for non-believers?
Nate Beaird
Very timely reflection, Tim!
Mac Lake
Great insights Tim. Thanks for spelling these out for us. Very helpful.
Mac
Stan Buck
Tim,
Thanks for this analysis – I think you are on to something here … maybe another book in this one!
Thanks as well for "leading by example" in these shifts – and providing encouragement to others along the way.
Stan
artiedavis.com
I agree with your analysis, but I think there is another sphere that needs to be addressed. The small town church. That's where our church planting emphasis is, and some of these don't hold true for a small community church in a town of 3000. But for larger areas, I see the changes are certainly taking place.
justin.holcomb@gmail
Tim, another change is the move to hiring research assistance. I am the dean of Re:Train for Mars Hill Church in Seattle, and four of our pastors (not just Driscoll) use Docent Research Group for sermon research AND all kinds of individual research projects. For us, Docent has become a game-changer. We recommend all pastors get their help… http://www.docentgroup.com. I have worked for Docent since it started. It is an amazing service to pastors.
Justin
EROPPER
Same old song….different style……..No matter how you tweak it…..Performance by a few produces spectator "services"…(as opposed to what is layed out in 1 Corinthians 14:26)……500 year old Protestant Sunday morning rituals are still firmly in place(songs, sermon, offering thing) Professional Clergy still stand between the CHURCH(the people) and God…producing an unhealthy dependence…with spiritual babies who have no idea what their spiritual gifts are because they have never been allowed to use them…..
"churches" and "Senior Pastors" still routinely abuse the "tithe"
If we don't gather for the sole purpose of incarnating Christ(to each other, using our gifting to encourage each other, to the world, and to angels) EVERYTHING ends up in pointless religion, no matter how "current, hype, cool, or relevant" we try to "do ministry"….
I know the author probably means well…..and makes some good points…..but then again, he probably doesn't know any other way(other than the business, typical, 501c3 corporation. institutional "church")
There is another way……..
Jared Wilson
I'll second Justin's mention of Docent (and similar resources, assuming there are any). I've been researching/writing for Docent for a couple of years and have served influential pastors like Mark Driscoll, Greg Surratt, Craig Groeschel, and others.
I think research "boutiques" may be a great way for churches/ministries to capitalize on crowdsourcing trends, albeit specialized and customized. As ministries grow — as the multi-site movement grows — "outsourcing" academic and publication legwork can help pastors disseminate their vision still in the traditional ways many lack the time and personal resources for.
Trent
Artie, I pastor in a small town in Western Pa and as I read the article I found myself agreeing with almost every word. I do agree with you that there are unique challenges for churches in small towns…let's talk about them sometime!
Brice
"We would spread our money to 13 different missionaries across the world and pat ourselves on the back because the global map looked great with all the pins and thread showing our impact."
Is there any citing of any of this stuff? I am seeing this kind of writing all the time. From secular to christian. In the newspaper, everywhere. The above was stated as fact. Do you know my church? Or where my wife grew up. Yes, they had a pin board map. Would you like to go there and tell them it was a waste and they were just patting themselves on the back to make themselves feel better? It was just shotgunning it…
I like this site. But that is just strawman arguing.
Tim Stevens
Brice – no "citing" as you request. This whole post was based on my perspective. Your perspective is different–so write your own view of what has changed.
My purpose wasn't (isn't) to devalue the past, but to point out what has changed and, in some cases, to celebrate the progress.
Brice
I'm cool with that. It all probably just caught me at a bad time. It seems weekly or daily (my blog reading) that people have to tear down the past or my past in order to celebrate the now.
I am proud of where I came from and think those crazy, conservative, strict folks loved people. Lost and saved. So it probably isn't fair me lumping you in with them.
keep up the good work and keep up getting me agitated.
Takeo
Wait, I cannot fathom it being so srtaihgftorward.
rbtzzuvtqcd
EFKY5M mfietkooeppv
bdwumssoqp
sv74VL rgroevxqrlug