These are tough times. Â I personally believe when there is financial crisis in the U.S. there is a downturn in the spiritual and emotive energies of people.
It doesn’t appear that there will be any turnaround in the near to mid future.
So we need to adjust and organize to thrive.
I have thoughts that make a recipe for the future:
- 1 . Expect people to be cranky and disillusioned. We will need to find energy
- that is real and solid to lead. Trust me I am discovering the difficulty here.
- 2 . There are going to be many apparent solutions to address the state of things. Watch out. Many of them are going to be forms that lead to dead ends.
- 3 . Watch out for purists. This is the time for hybrids. New joining old.
- 4 . We will need to learn skills at coalescing at least three generations together.
- 5 . Maximize staff and lay leaders. Start new stuff with the guidance of the Holy Spirit that use your resources to the fullest.
- 6 . Don’t just start new stuff to keep the old stuff in tact.
- 7 . Many people are seeing income drop below their obligations that can’t be
- changed. So drop your giving per-capita projections from past figures. Find ways to add income and cut costs.
- 8 . Multi-sites can maximize resources.
- 9 . Learn to live toward God expecting His love rather than fear.
- 10. Practice the discipline of thanks rather than discussing need.
- 11. It is being seen and reported that people who left the church are returning. Most growth is going to be from returners. Seeker churches may in fact be returner churches. They are realizing that maybe they weren’t hurt by church as much as they thought.
- 12 .Remember leaders are going to be older and younger than they have ever been. The older model of mid-life as being the peak of leadership ability is passing.
- 13. People are more impatient than ever so get some thick skin.
Enough for now.
