A few weeks ago, Greg and I had the opportunity to worship at the Church at Pinnacle Hills on a Sunday night. The speaker that evening was Dr. Thom Rainer who is a former professor at Southern Seminary and is now serving as the CEO of Lifeway. Dr. Rainer's writings have proved to be extremely helpful to our entire launch team. In fact, I had our team read Simple Church as we were laying the ground work for Northwest Community Church and developing the process for how we were going to achieve our vision of leading people to experience a new life in Christ. At any rate, Dr. Rainer's talk that evening was divided up into two parts:
- 7 Cultural Trends in the U.S.
- 5 Suggestions for a More Radical Christianity
Both sections were insightful, challenging, and accurately dealt with current reality. In fact, it was the truth behind Dr. Rainer's talk which compelled us to plant Northwest Community Church and God willing will allow us to plant other healthy, missional churches. I'll you the bullet points of Dr. Rainer's talk and make my own comments along the way. Oh yeah, and I will break this blog up into two sections so it does not get too lengthy. And by the way, I feel certain Dr. Rainer is about to come out with a new book addressing the essence of his talk...buy it when it comes out, you will not regret it. Seven Cultural Trends in the U.S.:
- The lostness of the U.S. is increasing. This a no-brainer. All you have to do is talk to your neighbors to realize this fact and yet most churches are doing absolutely zero about it. There are 80 million Americans born 1980-2000 (makes up the largest generation in U.S. history) and only 15% are Christian.
- The attitude of the unchurched in America is changing from receptive to indifference. People don't see the importance of church.
- There will be no successful senior adult ministry in 10 years because older Boomers do not see themselves as "old" or "senior."
- Family will be the most (and is) important core value to Millennials (1980-2000). Typically Boomer and Builders had very private relationships, but that is changing.
- In less than 20 years there will be no majority group in U.S. racially. Churches that are going to reach Millenials must be cross-cultural.
- Boomers my become the first generation to become more receptive to the Gospel in older years. The reason...Boomers have tried everything and nothing satisfies.
- How healthy churches define community is changing. There is a move to become more missional (one who is sent) and incarnational (in the flesh). Churches who are serious about impacting cultural realize the advantages of sending people out from their campus and into the community as opposed to always expecting the "lost" to come to us.
Despite the fact that these trends are sobering, there is hope. In fact the beauty of the church is that it can adapt to fit any cultural at any time without ever compromising the life-giving message of Jesus Christ. Dr. Rainer's suggestions for a proper response to these cultural trends will be in my next blog.
