TL;DR: Using a futures-thinking exercise, I sketch ten ways church might look very different in the next decade—from fewer buildings and more volunteer pastors to VR worship and shifting institutions.
it's funny how much I agree with some of these things (seminaries and denominations mostly ceasing to exist) and disagree with others (I think strategically using our buildings will help us to survive as the church, and that 'volunteer' is not a word that should be associated with religious practice).
This out of box thinking is interesting! I will say that in our small congregation we have no musician so just sing. We've found it amazingly easy to buy cheap hymnals and use them. Seems so novel but turns out it is so nice. I do think about breaking down our costs to let people know what it means to show up. It's shockingly expensive (just insurance alone is crazy!). I love renting a space, but wonder if it lends us a kind of fly by night vibe...? The future is thrilling indeed!
Did you listen to my podcast with Kelsey McGinnis? She talked about “contextual eclecticism” or something like that. Your church singing certainly is evidence of that.
I agree with most of these. I don't see them as deterants but realities communities will have to face in order to exist in the modern day. Yes, it will be different but the gospel will live, breathe and still offer transformation through real life people also existing in the current day. I don't fear these things but welcome the death of prior things because where there is death, there is always resurrection!!!
it's funny how much I agree with some of these things (seminaries and denominations mostly ceasing to exist) and disagree with others (I think strategically using our buildings will help us to survive as the church, and that 'volunteer' is not a word that should be associated with religious practice).
very interested to see how it plays out!
This out of box thinking is interesting! I will say that in our small congregation we have no musician so just sing. We've found it amazingly easy to buy cheap hymnals and use them. Seems so novel but turns out it is so nice. I do think about breaking down our costs to let people know what it means to show up. It's shockingly expensive (just insurance alone is crazy!). I love renting a space, but wonder if it lends us a kind of fly by night vibe...? The future is thrilling indeed!
Did you listen to my podcast with Kelsey McGinnis? She talked about “contextual eclecticism” or something like that. Your church singing certainly is evidence of that.
No i'll check it out!
I agree with most of these. I don't see them as deterants but realities communities will have to face in order to exist in the modern day. Yes, it will be different but the gospel will live, breathe and still offer transformation through real life people also existing in the current day. I don't fear these things but welcome the death of prior things because where there is death, there is always resurrection!!!
Most of these predictions sound pretty bizarre! Is the goal to drive people away from the church?