Recently a study from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life stated that more and more people have left the faith in which they were raised. Specifically, 44% of American adults have left the faith in which they were raised. Other findings include: 16% of adults say they have unaffiliated with any relision - including atheists, agnostics and "nothing in particular." While this is not surprising to some within the church it does remind us that we have a lot of work to do within the church to share the gospel in compelling ways.
As the church reflect upon trends taking place in faith, I will share with you some trends that are currently shaping the Presbyterian (USA) denomination and some that may take place in the future.
A. More and more churches are employing part-time pastors. Reason: Smaller membership churches cannot afford a full-time pastor with benefits. These churches are employing either retired pastors (on a part-time basis) or pastors with other jobs. Several churches within our presbytery are already doing this. The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a congregation comprised mainly of smaller membership churches (81.3% of the denomination's churches are under 300 members - 62% of the churches are under 150 members). The trend of hiring more part-time pastors will increase.
B. More presbyteries will align with other presbyteries in order to accomplish mission and ministry. For the same reasons listed above, we will find that many presbyteries will consolidate operations. Prediction: The Presbytery of Missouri River Valley will eventually morph into the Presbytery of Nebraska (uniting Homestead, Plains/Peaks (Nebraska), Central Nebraska and Missouri River Valley). That may be a few years down the road but it could happen.
C. Synods will dramatically change as well. See note B. above.
D. Churches will increase efforts in the area of planned giving. Churches without a system in place to encourage giving beyond death will struggle. Years ago the church had very little competition in this area. Read an obituary today and you will discover gifts to all kinds of charities. Churches need to step it up in this arena and encourage legacy giving.
E. God's Spirit will still breathe new life. There is hope for the future of the church. The One who set it in motion will still be there to continue it to its completion. The challenge will be to recognize that new life in Christ's church and community.
I don't know if any or all of these things (with the exception of E) will occur but these are some of the trends that I have noticed. What trends do you envision?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Contentment
"Other States covet Iowa's primo spot" read today's headline in the Omaha World Herald. The people of Omaha often think less of Iowa based on all the reports in the newspaper. After all, Iowa takes Nebraska's money with casinos. Iowa has better gas prices. Lower taxes. You get the picture. Now, Iowa has all the press because of the caucuses.
I find it interesting that so many folk from Omaha covet Iowa. One would think the Cyclones and Hawks have better football. Yet, a mass exodus is not happening. If things are so good in Iowa how come few people are moving to Elliott or Earlham or Eldora? Many Nebraskans, get this, remain in Nebraska.
We often struggle with contentment. It seems no one is immune from a feeling of discontment at times. We are not the first people to struggle with a lack of contentment. The Israelites, set free from the hands of Pharoah, grumbled in the desert for lack of food (Exodus 16:3) and God still provided for them. God provides for us in the midst of our own struggles. God even gives us examples in the New Testament of contentment in the message of Christ and the life of Paul (Philippians 4).
I'm not saying that contentment is easy. It never was for the Israelites, the early disciples and it remains difficult today. But, Scripture gives us hope that we can at least strive for contentment in all phases of our life.
By the way: Is it true that the College World Series is considering Council Bluffs for its new ballpark?
Darin
I find it interesting that so many folk from Omaha covet Iowa. One would think the Cyclones and Hawks have better football. Yet, a mass exodus is not happening. If things are so good in Iowa how come few people are moving to Elliott or Earlham or Eldora? Many Nebraskans, get this, remain in Nebraska.
We often struggle with contentment. It seems no one is immune from a feeling of discontment at times. We are not the first people to struggle with a lack of contentment. The Israelites, set free from the hands of Pharoah, grumbled in the desert for lack of food (Exodus 16:3) and God still provided for them. God provides for us in the midst of our own struggles. God even gives us examples in the New Testament of contentment in the message of Christ and the life of Paul (Philippians 4).
I'm not saying that contentment is easy. It never was for the Israelites, the early disciples and it remains difficult today. But, Scripture gives us hope that we can at least strive for contentment in all phases of our life.
By the way: Is it true that the College World Series is considering Council Bluffs for its new ballpark?
Darin
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Advent Reflections
On Tuesday I wrote my first blog reflecting upon the text (Isaiah 2:7) read in church on Sunday. It was about violence and the fact that nation(s) will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. I immediately deleted the post since the tragic event on Wednesday here in Omaha. I believed it was not appropriate considering the situation in our city.
The tragedy in Omaha involves a lot of emotions. Last week during our Mid-High youth group gathering, we discussed suicide. On Sunday morning we read the Advent text noted above. On Sunday night, we hosted a prayer vigil concerning violence in Omaha. We discussed the fact that violence was not a north Omaha problem but a city-wide concern.
It appears that the tragic event on Wednesday involved suicide and violence. Now, it is my hope that prayer will shape our response. We do pray for the victims of violence, including the shooter's family. We pray for our city leaders, police and hospital personnel. We pray for families in mourning. We pray for peace. We ultimately are left with the prayer that shapes our Advent season: Come, Lord Jesus.
The tragedy in Omaha involves a lot of emotions. Last week during our Mid-High youth group gathering, we discussed suicide. On Sunday morning we read the Advent text noted above. On Sunday night, we hosted a prayer vigil concerning violence in Omaha. We discussed the fact that violence was not a north Omaha problem but a city-wide concern.
It appears that the tragic event on Wednesday involved suicide and violence. Now, it is my hope that prayer will shape our response. We do pray for the victims of violence, including the shooter's family. We pray for our city leaders, police and hospital personnel. We pray for families in mourning. We pray for peace. We ultimately are left with the prayer that shapes our Advent season: Come, Lord Jesus.
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