Ridgell's Originals

 I am old enough that most of what I think about the future of preaching will not affect me.  At least not much.  But it will have an impact of my family for the next few generations.

God has always used preachers and He always will.  I am a big believer in the power of preaching.

But it is going to be different.  Not in purpose or content, but in how it happens.

So here are a few things I wonder about concerning the future of preaching/ministry.

Much more preaching for non-beleivers.  Less preaching to the converted.

Professional ministry is going to look very different. 

Much more preaching for non-beleivers.  Less concetration on how to preach to the converted.

I think there will be a lot more lay preaching and part-time preaching for the church. 

The day of specialized ministry may be ending.  Youth ministry, children's ministry, involvement ministers, etc.

Discipleship ministry may have a role.  Perhaps there will be more community outreach ministers.  

I do think you will see some churches begin to hire evangelists.  I think paid elders may be utilized more.

I think team preaching (instead of one voice preaching) may grow.

I think preachers will be more like the old circuit riders.  They may rotate thru house churches or smaller churches, rather than just speak at one place.

Video preaching will continue to grow for a while.  

The days of lectureships and workshops may be winding down.

But there may be a revival of revivals.  More preaching events for non-beleviers.  Just in much smaller venues that before. 

Publishing will be different.  More self-publishing.  

Professional preaching is a fading job opportunity. 

More mentoring.  Less official training.  More practical.  Less theory.  More Bible.  Less theology.

But there will always be a place for preachers and preaching.  It just may not look like it has in America the last few decades.

And that might be better.  The future of preaching may be better seen in Africa, China, or Cuba.

Multiple churches.  Lots of Scripture.  More preaching to 10 groups of 30 than one group of 300.  Lots of preaching for non-Christians.  Lots of teaching each other for Christians.

Maybe even more like -- well, more like it looked in Acts.

Or I could be completely off base.  Who knows?

And yes, that is rhetorical.  Because God does know.  Always has. 

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM