Transcript Missional Church in Culture
It’s a Whole New World Church & Culture in 21 st Century David Schoen Evangelism Ministry Team Local Church Ministries United Church of Christ Including material used with permission from Rick Morse, V.P. New Church Ministry, Christian Church (DOC) Church Extension © 2007
All rights reserved
IT‘S A WHOLE NEW WORLD
Taxes done in India McDonalds order taken 2 states away Hundreds of marketing choices in any area Instant communication 44% of Christians change traditions/denominations 60-80% Unchurched
So how much have things changed?
Result of Karl Fisch ’s, Colorado high school teacher, study on this rapid change
What does it all mean to the Church?
Churches are stressed today:
Generational Challenges Birth rates Cultural factors Church changes
More generations today than ever… Gen Z (11-0) Millennials (
28-12
) Survivors (29-49) Boomers (50-67) Silents (68-85) Builders (86+) Each generation has unique events that formed it, and a different view of life.
Dominant values and behaviors of older boomers and older groups Whatever is right for the group is right for me Appreciate sameness (i.e. Traditional liturgy) Committee structures that are tried and true Deferred pleasure until you have what you need to make the purchase Spirituality of place Organize as a group to form a block (tenacious about position) Circle the wagons; get people on your team to protect what’s important Get it done!
35% of the US Population
Dominant behaviors of young boomers and younger groups: Ask first, what is good for the individual Individualized style and differentiation Appreciate Difference/multiple choices Trained to look for segments of population so that one size never fits all See themselves as the correctors of the previous generations Spirituality of journey…find spiritual insight wherever they are and in relationship, not primarily place
65% of the US
Tribal
Population
Churches didn’t use to worry about generations…
A few transplants Founders Their children Grandchildren & families Stephen Compton
Many Churches have Lost a generation or 2:
Churches do not anticipate loosing youth…(even though that has been the pattern for 40 years) Young adults report: Relocation after college or school Difficulty in assimilation because church style IF they visit —little generational affinity Most mainline youth become unchurched Roof and McKinney
Another part of the issue is “membership orientation”
Pay dues…sign line EXPECT care, access, privilege, control, service by staff…etc.
Loses vision for a mission that can be characterized by God’s love in Christ for the world.
It is Exclusive The post-modern world has little interest in membership organizations POWER SURGE, Michael Foss
The result is aging congregations
While the younger cohort equals 65% of the population, they are only on average about 30% of existing congregations
Growing Gaps in understanding
Age of Protestant Populations
Total Population Total Protestants Nondenom Charismatic Churches Nondenom Evangelical Churches Church of God in Christ Assemblies of God American Baptist Churches Southern Baptist Convention African Methodist Episcopal United Methodist Church Ev. Lutheran Church of America Disciples of Christ Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod Presbyterian Church in America Episcopal Church in the USA Presbyterian Church USA United Church of Christ Anglican Church
18-29 30 –49 50-64
20 39 25 17 18 38 54 26 22 19 29 14 18 13 14 11 51 33 41 36 37 31 34 22 28 33 23 27 30 29 8 10 11 12 11 8 11 7 36 33 32 29 29 31 27 26 29 21 31 32 34 30 34 33
65+
16 20 6 8 10 12 23 22 25 26 27 35 26 27 25 32 28 35
Birth Rates:
Since “the pill” Anglo birth rates dropping 1960 24/1000 2000 13/1000 2002
11.7
Mainline Anglos have a very low birth-rate due to aging populations
VERY Little Biological Growth!
There has been significant change in our racial-ethnic population Racial ethnic composition of most neighborhoods has changed since 1960 Many congregations have little or no affinity with their neighbors
Racial ethnic growth must be recognized
Ethnic growth: In the next 50 years the US Pop. Will grow by 50%. 90% of that growth will be people of color In 2000, Hispanics became the largest racial ethnic minority The US has the 3 rd Spanish speaking population largest By 2050 there will be no majority racial group By 2100 Hispanics will be the largest group
Racial Ethnic Birth Rates:
African Am. 16.1
Native Am. 13.8
Asian Pac. I. 16.5
Hispanic (Anglo 11.7) 22.6
Per 1000
Most future growth will be in Racial Ethnic congregations
There is also a shifting attitude towards “organized” religion
65% of the US population cannot remember a time when clergy were respected.
Denominational loyalty means nothing to most people.
The average person believes that no particular religion has claim to truth.
Shifting attitudes towards faith
1990, 2000 & 2004 Percentage of the Population Attending a Christian Church on Any Given Weekend 25.0% 20.0% 20.4% 18.7% 17.7% 15.0% 1990 2000 2004 10.0% 9.2% 9.1% 9.0% 7.2% 6.2% 5.5% 5.0% 3.9% 3.4% 3.1% 0.0% Evangelical Mainline Catholic Total
Unchurched USA
•Since 1991 adult population in the US grew by 15%.
•During that same period the unchurched population grew by 92%! 75 million US adults do not attend church
'Unchurched' Americans say church is 'full of hypocrites'
consider Christianity to be more about organized religion than about loving God and people, …“unchristian”.
New Generations – Outsiders to Christian Faith
Age % Outsiders to Christianity Population 61+ 42-60 18-41 16-29 23% 27% 37% 40% 12 Million 21 Million 34 Million 24 Million
44 percent -- agreed that "Christians get on my nerves.“ Vast majority of young non-Christians view Christianity as anti-gay, judgmental hypocritical, unwelcoming, too political, out of touch.
But 78 percent said they would be willing to listen to someone who wanted to tell them about his or her Christian beliefs.
Almost three-quarters -- 72 percent - agreed that God "actually exists“ and an even larger percentage -- 86 percent - said they believed they could have a good relationship with God without church involvement.
21 st Century Culture and Church Change from Modern to Postmodern World “It’s a Whole New World” – Anthony Robinson Reason Where moderns wanted their preachers to explain mystery, post-moderns want to experience mystery.
Optimism & Objectivity Post-moderns are not so sure that salvation is around the corner or that ‘objective’ science and technology are our saviors. What some call ‘objective truth,’ is the interest of the powerful and privileged.”
21 st Century Culture and Church Change from Modern to Postmodern World Post-Modern - Modern World is crumbling Universality & The Grand Story Post-moderns revel in the local, indigenous and the particular. Post-moderns tend to be skeptics about this big story. Small stories, particular stories, and different versions of reality appeal to the post modern mind.
21 st Century Culture and Church Change from Modern to Postmodern World While modernity was liberating and powerful in many ways, it was also and especially for Christianity, reductive.
highly moral, but not especially spiritual modern Christianity explained miracle and mystery (away) and proposed moral values and lessons as universal truth. What was missing was spiritual connection and experience, the experience of a sacred, numinous, transcendent Other.
Postmodern Culture and Church
Christianity in North America has moved (or been moved) away from its position of dominance loss not only of numbers but of power and influence within society.
Rather than occupying a central and influential place, North American Christian churches are increasingly marginalized, in our urban areas they represent a minority movement It is now a truism to speak of North America as a mission field.
Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America, Edited by Darrell Guder, the Gospel and Our Culture Network
21
st
Century Culture and Church
Reaching 21 st Century Populations Make it spiritual and experiental.
Make it personal, real and authentic Make it about mission and ministry not committees Make it possible in busy lives
What does it all mean to the Church?
We are all at a threshold, a ‘kairos’ moment: Where will we be in 2020?
It means CHANGE!
Congregational life has changed too:
Mimeograph Yellow pages Volunteers Hospital visits Organ Stairs Committees Budgets
It means CHANGE!
PHYLLIS TICKLE’S basis thesis is that
every 500 years, the Church goes through a rummage sale
, and cleans out the old forms of spirituality and replaces it with new ones. Play Video
Change = Opportunity
In these tough times….
There is a future for the church The stillspeaking God calls us to be Churches that the tomorrow requires Churches that tough times demand Missional in purpose Relational in outreach Conversationl in witness
Missio Dei – “Mission of God”
The real problem is much more deeply rooted than programmatic and methodological solutions. It has to do with who we are and what we are for. The real issues of the church are spiritual and theological.
In The Other Side of 1984: Questions for the Churches Bishop Leslie Newbigin analyzed the challenge presented by the changing context of Western society. What had once been a Christendom society was now clearly post-Christian and in many ways anti Christian.
The missiological consensus that Newbigin focused on may be summarized with the term ‘missio Dei’, mission of God.
Missional Church
“The Church exists to serve God’s Mission” Mission as Missio Dei, UCC Committee on Structure, 1992 The church of Jesus Christ is the instrument and sign of God’s mission and realm. God’s mission is calling and sending us, the church of Jesus Christ, to be a missionary church in our own societies, in the cultures in which we find ourselves.
Vital Churches in 21
st
Century
Local Churches are Missional Communities, moving from membership based social organizations to discipleship forming missional communities.
Our mission focus is transforming lives, by transforming both individuals and wider social culture.
Difference between church with mission and missional church Mission in 20 th Century became program of church Mission boards emerged Mission workers became professional Mission ‘work’ become financial support Mission arena was someplace else Our challenge today is to move from church with mission to missional church.
Missional in Purpose
Vital congregations
clear sense of purpose Vital congregations
are sent churches Vital congregations
reach out beyond themselves Vital congregations
reproduce and plant new congregations
Vital congregations discern God’s call and mission
The greatest characteristic of a vital congregation is the ability to articulate and live God’s purpose.
What is God calling this church to be and do at this time, in this place, with the gifts we have on this corner of God’s realm that we are placed?
Identity and Mission
Reverend Otis Moss III from Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago speaks on Church Vitality and Discipleship www.ucc.org/vitality/ready-set grow/video/otis-moss.html
Missional Purpose
Cathedral of Hope UCC
The Mission of the Cathedral of Hope is to reclaim Christianity as a faith of extravagant grace, radical inclusion and relentless compassion. We are a people of compassion We are a people of inclusion We are a people of liberation We are a people of hope We are a people of Jesus
Missional in Purpose
What is Your Mission Statement? Mission Statement should be:
7 – 9 words or less
Engaging Compelling Visionary True
Missional in Purpose Relational in Outreach Ministry in 21 st Century is Relational Build community with those outside the church Get to know the unchurched people and culture
Relational in Outreach
Bridge the gap by building relationships The days of waiting for people to come to church to welcome them are over.
Instead of waiting inside, we go outside
Relational in Outreach
What do you think when you hear the word….
EVANGELISM ?
Celtic Evangelism
In The Celtic Way of Evangelism:
How Christianity Can Reach the
West . . . Again, George Hunter writes about the difference between what he describes as the evangelism approach in Roman and Celtic Christianity.
Celtic Evangelism Roman Model Presentation Decision Fellowship Celtic Model Fellowship Ministry and Conversation Belief, Invitation to Commitment
Belonging and Believing Christianity is more caught than taught! As Professor Robin Gill observes, belonging comes before believing. For this reason, evangelism is now about helping people to belong so that they can believe.
Missional Outreach
Go to where the unchurched are: Coffee shops, Book stores Parks, Gyms
“I stopped wondering about how to draw younger folks into my church and started focusing on how to draw my congregation out of its building and into relationship with the world outside its doors.”
Go Forth….
Into the Virtual World.
In Asia, Europe and North America —an entire generation has experienced the Internet as a means for maintaining relationships with family and friends.
The Internet is a lifeline for users whose mobility is limited by disability, chronic illness or advanced age.
The Internet is where we can find and engage seekers.
The Socialization of the Web
You Now Control the Message!
The socialization of the web…..is now forcing a renaissance that is transforming information distribution, human interaction and everything…..
Brian Solis, “Unveiling New Influencers” 6/29/2009
Modern day example
Costs are nominal or FREE!
Relational in Outreach Conversational in Witness Conversational ministry is central to the future of the church in 21 st Century Count conversations, not conversions Brian McLaren,
More Ready than You Think
Conversational Ministry
The postmodern world calls for disciples who reach out to a world that is hungering for good conversation about faith, values, hope, meaning, purpose, goodness, beauty, truth, life after death, life before death and God. Engaging in everyday faith conversations will not only help others become Christians, it will help us become better Christians, who know and love the still speaking God more than ever.
Conversational in Witness
Spiritual Seekers want to talk.
Holy Conversations – Richard Peace We are the ones not talking.
Reverence for God – silence and service.
Tell it Like it is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony
- Lillian Daniel An unchurched world doesn’t know why we do what we do.
Conversational in Witness
Buzz Marketing Evangelism
One beggar telling another where there is food
Come and See!
Witness and Invitation UCC-Style
“Tricking” the church into Evangelism – Taking it back!
What do you say when someone asks you about your comma?
“For us it means God’s not stuck. God still has more light and truth for us today.” “My church believes that God is still speaking to us today.” “It means that no matter how bad things are in my life or in the world, God is in the midst of it.”
Are you still speaking?
Are You Ready to Talk?
Why do you love your church?
What impact has believing in God and following Jesus made in your life?
How is God still speaking in your life?
God is still speaking,
Through you and me!
Eight Challenges Richard Peace
We need to learn how to talk about Jesus We need to create spaces within which both seekers and committed Christians can explore together their spiritual journeys.
We need to learn how to invite others We need to move beyond our stereotypes, fears and negative experiences of evangelism for new creative and wholistic ways of outreach.
Eight Challenges Richard Peace
We need to heal the split evangelism and justice issues so it is a both/and and not an either /or.
We need to find the energy to engage in and to sustain an outreach ministry.
We need to stay open to transformation, our own transformation even as we invite others to be transformed.
We need to learn how to discuss all of this in non-theological terms.
Where will we be in 2020….?
The still speaking God
calls us to become
Churches that the Future Requires Missional in purpose
Relational in outreach
Conversational in witness
And in Conclusion…… Seven Missional Lessons
God is calling the Church to be a missional community in an unchurched world.
Missional congregation is to be a sign and instrument of God’s realm in its community.
Missional congregation listens for and seeks out the still speaking God in culture and its community.
Missional congregation finds transformation and vitality in its location.
And in Conclusion…… Seven Missional Lessons
Missional congregation is driven to discern, articulate and live God’s calling and purpose for church and community.
Missional congregation is relational and conversational in outreach.
Missional congregation engages culture’s tools, especially the web to reach out to world of seekers.
Resources for Missional Congregations Vitality Resources on www.ucc.org/vitality “It’s a Whole New World” Anthony Robertson Vitality Interviews Vitality Powerpoint - Retreat Resources www.ucc.org/vitality/retreat-resources/ Web ministry resources www.ucc.org/vitality/web-university/free resources-for-internet-ministry.html
MissionInsite demographics www.missioninsite.com
Two questions
Where are the signs of vitality in your congregation?
What one thing stood out for you from this presentation and what might it mean in your congregation?
In these tough times….
There is a future for the church The stillspeaking God calls us to be Churches that the tomorrow requires Churches that tough times demand Missional in purpose Relational in outreach Conversationl in witness
Thank You!
Thank you for your Vital Leadership Thank you for Your Support of Changing Lives: That’s Our Churches’ Wider Mission