21 st century. 21 st century 21 st century free methodists global trends future response
TRANSCRIPT
The prudent see danger and take refuge. The simple keep going and suffer for it.” Prov. 27.12 (Solomon)
“Trying to predict the future is like driving down a country road at night with the lights off looking into the rear view mirror.” Peter Drucker.
“Do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6.34 (Jesus)
More people. Changing family.Pluralism rules.Time valued.Resources
diminish.Religious shifts.Technology
transforms.
TREND
2000 – 6.6 billion 2060 – 10 billion Increase in elderly Urbanization
RESPONSE
Plant new churches
Connect with youth
Love the elderly
TREND
¼ families traditional
Fastest growing household is single
Marriage decreasing
Alternatives accepted
RESPONSE
Patient with diversity
Model healthy family
Minister to singles Provide loving
teaching on healthy sexuality
TREND
Multiple paths to heaven or faithfulness 47% evangelicals
believe Jesus is the way, truth, life.
Unique religious view viewed as dangerous
RESPONSE
Respect other faiths (does not mean accept)
Increase biblical literacy
Use symbol, art, story, drama to communicate
Be such a blessing to community that danger disbelieved
TREND
Increasingly Americans want family time.
Increasingly Americans want self-development and recreation.
… may be irrelevant with potential economic collapse…
RESPONSE
Limit church “busy-ness”
Help families and singles recreate together
TREND
“Go green” more than buzzword
Global dust-bowls Water becomes
most precious commodity
RESPONSE
Lead the way in good stewardship
Simple lifestyle
TREND
Islam grows dominant 1970 – 700, 90, 1.2 bil;
2025 – 2 billion (40% growth)
Christians 2.6 now, 2025 - 3 billion (15% growth)
South leads church 60% non-white, non-
US/Europe
RESPONSE
Love Muslims (and Buddhists and Wiccans)
Be missional about growth – birth rates won’t do it.
Be open to non-white, non Euro/American leaders – let the Spirit lead.
TREND
American increasingly irreligious 1% annual decline since 1990 Wicca doubles every 30
months Fastest growing demographic
is no-religion/agnostic/atheist Spiritual practices increasing All time low trust in church
(45%) – and clergy (66%/45%)
RESPONSE
Relational faith critical
New models of church
Fully engage spirituality
Be more Christian than politician
Restore credibility through true contribution
TREND
90% of all innovations occur since 1984
Digital communities trump human connection
Command-Control out: knowledge-based, em-powered grass roots in
Information NOW
RESPONSE
Embrace technology Social networking
necessary Web presence or die Connect with community Stop forwarding rumours
Resist technology Teach & live Sabbath–
unplug! Major on small groups Don’t get sucked in! Learn
and teach tech boundaries.