1. “Oikos” grows.
As Millenniels pass Boomers as the largest generation, LifeWay Research indicates that top priority among the Millennial generation is family. With the disintegration of nuclear family in North American life through proliferating divorce, extended family or “oikos” booms in importance. Ministries to families have always been important. But churches that create “oikos” or extended family to which we can belong will thrive.
2. Senior/Boomer ministries boom.
John Chandler
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Boomers will be a different type of senior. For starters, we don’t like to be called “seniors.” Nor do we see ourselves as part of our parents’ generation. (We’re “special!”) Thus, how senior adult ministry was done with the previous generation will find little traction with Boomers. Congregations that figure out new ways for Boomers to grow as disciples in the second half of life, however, will be rewarded with engaged, capable and potentially generous participants who want to find significance and offer wisdom in this stage of life. Just don’t lump them in with their parents.
3. Two staff positions evolve.
In very large churches (500+ worship attendance), the “executive pastor” role has emerged. Lead pastors who are vision-casters in complex congregations look for human resource and project managers in this role and frequently turn to persons without theological training, but with experience in military, government, or construction management.
In churches of all sizes, the fastest growing role will involve children’s ministries. Even churches of average size (70 in worship attendance) will look for help in this arena. The ability to recruit part-time children’s ministers will become more competitive, and the need to train them in the spiritual care of young disciples will be more critical.
4. In 2025, 50 percent of North American pastors …
… will be women. Bill Easum predicted this in 2000 at the American Society for Church Growth, and his prediction is trending on track in that direction.
To say the least, this topic elicits a range of strong responses. I hope congregations will take a deep breath, count to 10, pull out our Bibles and reason together as to whether God calls pastors more on the basis of gender or giftedness.
Trending is written by John Chandler, leader of the Spence Network, www.spencenetwork.equip.htm.