“What are we looking at?” This question is posed in a variety of circumstances. It may be we have called someone over to look at repairing the roof. It may be that we are watching a movie, someone has been taken hostage and the chief of police arrives on the scene. It may be someone has been arrested for a misdemeanor or a felony, and they ask this of their attorney.
But we now pose the question regarding the future of the church. Why is it so hard to reach people? What is there about our culture that makes “church” untenable for so many young people and young adults?
This past week Randy Harris at ElderLink in Atlanta proposed the following 5 ways of getting a grasp on assessing the situation with our culture. Perhaps knowing this will enable us to be more patient with the un-churched and the non-Christian, or unbelievers.
1) Technology has reshaped us
2) We are living in a Post-church world
3) Increasing age and social gap in churches
4) Big challenge of defining gospel and discipleship
5) Redefining what “success” looks like for the church
Each one of these components are critical if we are to take seriously the task and mission of the church in an increasingly hostile culture toward traditional Christianity. Jesus gave the church a simple mission: “…Go and make disciples of all nations…”(Matthew 28:19). So simple, yet so hard!
By assessing our situation, we find out that our contemporary culture has radically shifted from what it was sixty years ago. Two generations have come and gone since many of our churches were planted in various communities. Because our way of doing church has become entrenched, in many places, we are on the verge of closing doors of what was once vibrant, faithful congregations.
In the next few weeks, I want to look specifically at the five items listed above. This will enable us to get a better grasp on understanding our culture. Given this environment, we then need to look at the biblical mandate of “go and make disciples of all nations.” What needs to change in our church culture so that we can reach the larger culture?
Here is a question to think about: is it possible that our culture holds any promise for being receptive to the good news of Jesus? Assessing the situation will give us clarity and mission.
In Christian love, Curtis
But we now pose the question regarding the future of the church. Why is it so hard to reach people? What is there about our culture that makes “church” untenable for so many young people and young adults?
This past week Randy Harris at ElderLink in Atlanta proposed the following 5 ways of getting a grasp on assessing the situation with our culture. Perhaps knowing this will enable us to be more patient with the un-churched and the non-Christian, or unbelievers.
1) Technology has reshaped us
2) We are living in a Post-church world
3) Increasing age and social gap in churches
4) Big challenge of defining gospel and discipleship
5) Redefining what “success” looks like for the church
Each one of these components are critical if we are to take seriously the task and mission of the church in an increasingly hostile culture toward traditional Christianity. Jesus gave the church a simple mission: “…Go and make disciples of all nations…”(Matthew 28:19). So simple, yet so hard!
By assessing our situation, we find out that our contemporary culture has radically shifted from what it was sixty years ago. Two generations have come and gone since many of our churches were planted in various communities. Because our way of doing church has become entrenched, in many places, we are on the verge of closing doors of what was once vibrant, faithful congregations.
In the next few weeks, I want to look specifically at the five items listed above. This will enable us to get a better grasp on understanding our culture. Given this environment, we then need to look at the biblical mandate of “go and make disciples of all nations.” What needs to change in our church culture so that we can reach the larger culture?
Here is a question to think about: is it possible that our culture holds any promise for being receptive to the good news of Jesus? Assessing the situation will give us clarity and mission.
In Christian love, Curtis
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