The church of the 21st century is faced with ever increasing challenges to remain viable and authentic in a fast –past ever changing world. I recently read “Who Do You Love? – The Appeal- And Risks-of Authenticity” by Bill Breen http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/115/features-who-do-you-love.html . It’s a great article about branding but also has much to offer about being real and authentic. Seems the church has much to do in this area. Breen suggests being authentic today demands: 1)A sense of place; 2) a strong point of view; 3) serving a larger purpose; 4) integrity. He declares, “authenticity comes to a brand that is what it says it is. In other words, “the story that the brand tells through its actions aligns with the story it tells through its communications.” Pg. 87 Fast Magazine, May 2007.
What a challenging statement for the church. I would like to share with you some of the challenges I sense the church facing in the next decade. What should the deacons do with such massive challenge? How can deacons lead the way in keeping the church real and on course amidst such overwhelming challenges?
15 Challenges Facing the Church
in the Next Decade
- Co-habitation of couples before or in place of marriage
- A tougher issue is developing a deeper understanding of and sensitivity to issues surrounding sexual relationships, homosexuality and the new emerging family systems
- Recognition and sensitivity to the emerging new family. (i.e. urban tribes, starter marriages, bi-racial and multi-cultural families)
- Increasing impact of a growing multi-cultural population in metropolitan, urban and suburban areas
- The realities of the decline of funding at all levels of denominational life and local church ministries
- The realities of the consistent decline of baptisms, church attendance in most congregations
- The growing number of divorces in our churches and in our communities
- The realities of generational differences and preferences in worship and church programming
- Staffing of the church – increase in multi-career staff persons and growing number home grown staff
10. Discover ways to engage the local community through mission experiences and creation of multiple entry points for those outside the church membership
12. Creating redemptive and decentralizing win/win partnerships in the community to forward the mission
14. Growing security needs for the church – leadership, facilities, programs etc.
Prepared by Eddie Hammett, Author of Spiritual Leadership in a Secular Age: Building Bridges Instead of Barriers and Senior Consultant with the Baptist State Convention of NC www.transformingsolutions.org
Possible Responses of the Deacons- What works for you?
- Dialogue with the congregational leaders and congregation about the challenges. How often do they present themselves in your church and community?
- Provide resources for congregation and leaders to read, reflect and dialogue about the challenges. I provide a listing of possible resources at www.transformingsolutions.org and in monthly newsletters
- Find a focus in keeping with your church’s mission – focus on one or two challenges a year. Make a difference. Stay relevant and meaningful in your community.
- Encourage pastor/staff to participate in continuing education on an annual basis and provide for their expenses while away.
- Provide educational experiences and retreats for all church leaders each year to help them stay abreast of challenges and design ministry strategies to work with each challenge in an intentional way.
NEW RESOURCES now available. Strengthening Deacon Ministry for the 21st Century has been updated and new material has been added. This congregational guidebook offers deacons and congregation a 6 week education guide that helps clarify expectations prior to deacon nomination and election. A great resource for new deacons. It explores various models of deacon ministry and offers tools for making decisions as to the most effective model for your church at this time in history. Email me for orders at a discount. Single copy $10/each; More than 10 copies $8/copy. Send checks to Baptist State Convention of NC, C/O Angela Crosby, P.O. Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512. EdwardHHammett@mchsi.com
Order Deacon Ministry Newsletters 1999-2002 (Vol. 1) or 2003-2004 (Vol. 2) in print or on CD by mailing $12/copy (for NC Baptists) and ($14/copy for Non-NC Baptists) Price includes mailing charges. See product page at www.transformingsolutions.org for topics covered and order form or email acrosby@ncbaptist.org Make check payable to Baptist State Convention of NC, mail to P.O. Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512. Attn. Angela Crosby
Visit www.transformingsolutions.org for new updates.
©Eddie Hammett – www.transformingsolutions.org and www.ncbaptist.org
