Ridgell's Originals

 Things have changed.  Not will change.  Have changed.  The Covid Pandemic has changed things.  Cultural influence has changed things in the U.S.  Politics has revealed lines of division even in churches.  Hard decisions about what we believe are going to be made.

Churches that stand with the Bible will be at odds with our culture.  And that changes things.

And here are four ways churches are going to be different over the next twenty years.  

Big buildings/church complexes are out.  The churches that have big debt on big buildings are going to be in trouble.  House churches, worship assemblies in offices, and much smaller crowds.

Changing roles for preachers.  The senior pastor as church leader model will be over.  There will not be enough large congregations to support multi-staff.  Few highly compensated ministers.  More evangelists and elders.  There will still be a place for preaching.  Always has been.  Lots more lay preaching.  More preachers serving multiple congregations.  

Budgets will go away.  Not giving.  Just budgets.  After all, most budgets are heavy on building/staff expense.  Much more of individual Christians helping each other.  

Programs will not be the center of our ministries.  Youth ministry will be in the hands of parents, families, and all the church members.  Much more equipping of individuals/small groups doing ministry.

And that is different -- way different -- than the church I grew up in.  Makes me sort of nostalgic.  Makes me more excited to see what God is going to do.

And yes, I am aware I will probably see most of this from heaven.  Unless I am wrong about all of it.  Which I will still see from heaven.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM