Ministry Trends and Predictions
True - no one has a “crystal ball” to be able to know exactly what the future holds. As has often been said, “while we cannot know what the future holds, we can and must know the One Who holds the future.” However, 1 Chronicles 12:32 does speak of those of Issachar, “men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” Jesus taught that God’s people should be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves in Matthew 10:16. And in Philippians 1:9-11 Paul in part prayed that “your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent.”
Surely there are a number of trends in ministry that likely will become more “normal” over time. Faithful ministry is, was and ever will be solidly anchored to the “Rock of Ages” but understands methods can and do change. God’s word in every age must be loved, proclaimed, respected and obeyed (1 Peter 4:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). In churches of Christ, it is rightly part of who we are to be people of the Book. Yet every generation faces unique opportunities and challenges. I’d like to humbly and prayerfully address 12 ministry trends I think will be seen more over the next 20-25 years. This is done with the prayer that the body of Christ might more thoughtfully engage lost souls to the praise and glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
1. “Tent-Making” Preachers will Have Tremendous Opportunities of Service. There has been a preacher shortage for years, a fact that will become even more obvious over the next few years. There still will be many full-time preachers but the number of tent-making preachers is likely to greatly increase due to the benefits for both preachers and churches in such an arrangement. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that guys who can fully or partially support themselves by having another job will have cups that overflow with opportunities to preach. Wise indeed are churches and schools that see this and plan accordingly.
2. A Post-Christian, Post-COVID World Looks Far More Like Athens and Acts 17 Than Jerusalem and Acts 2. In many ways, it already does. If anything, the events of 2020 merely hastened a privatization of religion while also rapidly expediting increased secularism in the United States. In the understandable excitement of getting back to “how things used to be” in churches (more of a “business as usual” approach), godly leaders would do well to ask “Is this what God wants and what needs to be better emphasized for the health and growth of the church?” The well chronicled rise of the “nones,” along with a marked decrease in biblical literacy, are indicators of what really has always been true - the U.S. is a mission field and wise Christians here will start thinking more like missionaries (cf. 2 Timothy 3:1-7).
3. There Will Be an Increased Awareness That “The Church Has Left the Building.” This does NOT mean gathering on the Lord’s day will be unimportant or that buildings will have no place; it is recognizing what has been true for some time - church attendance has trended downward in most communities for years. Some of this can and should be dealt with by healthy, passionate teaching and better quality in our services. However, it must also be admitted that many in times past have measured a church primarily by its facilities, head count (attendance) and contribution. These factors alone are woefully inadequate in determining congregational health. A church can fill its auditorium without fulfilling its mission and purpose in glorifying God! A greater emphasis on relationships and connecting must exist. Meeting in each other's homes and in small groups is biblically appropriate and healthy. Wise churches will see the need to be less building centered and focused to become more God centered and people oriented.
4. There Will Be Greater Understanding That Content Alone Won’t Cut It Without Personal Connection and a Sense of Community. This does NOT mean truth should be devalued. It does mean there is much to the old adage, “People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Others will know we are Christians by our love (John 13:34-34; 1 Peter 1:22). People are looking for sincerity, transparency and authenticity in relationships. If these are NOT true, if they do NOT exist, they look no further for truth in that environment (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31).
5. Many Churches Will Become More Ethnically, Economically and Functionally Diverse. Churches will better reflect the multicultural, multinational and multifaceted world we live in. There will be unique opportunities and challenges for those who navigate this area in God honoring ways. No longer will people be converted primarily out of denominations, but greater numbers will be brought to Christ out of world religions, cults, atheism and agnosticism. Preachers who are bilingual and multilingual will be like “Swiss Army knives” of ministry (think Paul and others in the New Testament). The same God who bridged the Jew-Gentile divide in the first century with the gospel can do it again concerning the nations in the 21st (Revelation 7:9).
6. There Will Be an Awareness That Political Ideology, With Its Accompanying Anger, Inflammatory Rhetoric and Arrogance, Merely Echoes the Spirit of The Times and Does Not Reflect the Spirit of Christ. Some Christians are far better patriots of a nation than they are citizens of the Kingdom of God and some churches have practically made politics more often heard than the word of God! This does NOT mean that churches will be silent on either moral or social issues, but it does mean that the church will see its primary purpose as getting the gospel into the hearts of all to the praise and glory of God. If government policies become increasingly antagonistic to Christianity, it would be nothing new either historically or practically in most nations.
7. There Will Be a Strong Determination To “Pick Our Battles” Wisely and Biblically. There will be renewed appreciation for the Restoration Movement as both a unity movement and for being people who respect the Bible by desiring to “call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways.” Brethren have come to appreciate that one can be right (by way of doctrine and practice) and still be wrong (by way of attitude and treatment of others). Radical and extremist views among churches of Christ will lessen, even though at times such voices will be louder than they ought. Those far to the left of biblical authority will eventually move toward more “mainstream Christendom.” Those to the radical right will continue to “bite and devour another” (Galatians 5:15) to such a degree they eventually cannibalize each other, thereby decimating their own ranks.
8. Elders Will Be Seen More as Shepherds of Souls and Less as Primarily Managers of Facilities and Finances. The “leadership crisis” in churches of Christ (lack of biblically qualified elders) will continue, but greater interest will come in having biblical shepherds, due both to the great need for them in churches as well as a healthier view of leading that emphasizes shepherding and mentoring. Because of such an emphasis, there will be greater love and respect for the eldership and for the authority of elders on the part of most churches. I can easily see elders being better equipped and able to handle counseling, congregational planning and vision, along with considerable amounts of preaching and teaching in years to come,
9. Those Who Have Vision, the Ability to Dream and a Christian Imagination Will See Biblical Opportunities to Thrive. Frankly, these are not areas that have always been appreciated among God’s people. But all of them can and should be brought under God’s guidance and utilized biblically to the glory of God and the saving and strengthening of souls. If I am correct, in years to come there will be a greater willingness to step out in faith, to try new things and new methods that are God honoring, biblically based and soul reaching. Where are the Christian writers, song writers, artists and poets? These are but a few of the areas that will be more encouraged in churches in years to come.
10. Congregations Will Become More Inter-Generational. Churches have tended to break down into age groups from everything to education to worship to fellowship. While some of this can and should continue, a more holistic approach is needed and one that would greatly benefit the body as a whole. The youth should know and love the church’s senior saints and vice versa. Because meaningful relationships are so valued and the church is “family,” this must be diligently pursued by churches.
11. The Number of Churches Looking For Faithful and Qualified Biblical Counselors to Help With Their Members Will Exponentially Increase. Members of churches with gifts and interests in this area ought to be encouraged to pursue training in this field of Christian service (and perhaps even supported financially). The people of God should be at the forefront of providing the very best of help in getting members to better know God’s joy, peace and comfort.
12. Churches Will Be Much More Evangelistic. Evangelism in the years to come will be much more natural - “one beggar telling another where to find bread.” It will become less about “salesmanship” and more about friends engaged in a conversation about the best news ever - what God has done through Jesus Christ so we can have a real relationship with Him. Various methods will continue to be used, but the “personal” part of personal evangelism will be re-ignited.
I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet. Nor am I a cynic who thinks churches of Christ will wither and die (although some congregations undoubtedly will). I believe, hope and pray that my grandchildren and many others will be blessed in years to come to be part of the precious body of Christ. And I believe that the work you and I are doing in God’s Kingdom right now will benefit and bless others not only now but in years to come as well.
If I might, let me paraphrase Romans 8:37-39, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor COVID nor elections, nor things present nor things to come, nor racial unrest, nor economic uncertainty nor congregational concerns, nor fear, nor stress, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” To God be the glory!