Future Church
Dear Pastors
Some of you may not want to even read this let alone think about anything to do with the future of the Church after COVID19. You are so busy at this present moment and perhaps so overwhelmed that to start thinking about how the future will look is more than you can cope with. To you dear friends I would simply say, ‘click now’ and move on to your next email.
Others of you (and I know there are many) are well and truly fascinated by this topic. You are ready to engage. So over the next few weeks I want to share a few thoughts with you that I have been pondering on. Needless to say I welcome your comments and feedback.
I think when considering the future of the church it may be helpful to have three categories where we place the words, ideas and concepts we are hearing. The 3P’s if you wish.
Possibilities. This is the domain where blue sky thinking happens. This is where we apply our sanctified minds to consider ALL options without limits. Sometimes referred to as ‘brain storming or brain dumps’. It is a powerful way for creativity and problem solving to be unleashed. At this thinking stage there are NO wrong answers.
Predictions. This is quite different to possibilities. A prediction is a statement about the future. It's a guess, usually based on facts or evidence. For example a meteorologist uses maps and scientific data to tell us about the likelihood of rain, snow or sunshine.
Here is an early prediction that I have. For now I am calling it ‘Dual Membership’. I predict given the almost unbelievable ramped up requirement to introduce everyday Christians to go to their computers (Internet) to attend church over this crisis period that many will continue to do so after the restrictions have lifted. In other words they will ‘go’ to their favourite church and preacher/teacher for their content (sermons and bible studies and perhaps even music etc) and go to their physical church (or Home Church) for their kids’ sake, for fellowship and for pastoral care. So Dual Membership. This trend has been happening for at least 10 years but I predict it will ramp up. If I am right then this is going to have significant impacts for the local church in NZ. But as with all predictions I could be wrong.
Prophecy. This is the third category of word and quite simply is, “This is what God says”. End of story! This category I believe needs the most discernment of all by the hearers of the word and the most rigorous ‘testing’ at the prophet’s end. As at today there are so many so called ‘prophetic’ words circulating around the Body of Christ and I doubt very little testing going on. But that is another subject for another day.
Finally and on a different note, I am writing a short 200 word devotion Monday-Friday for the next 4-6 weeks. As you will be aware most devotional books or notes that Christians are currently using were probably written about 6 months ago when everything was normal. Things are not normal right now so these devotions are reflections on the current times in which we live. The topics covered so far are: Fear, Protection, Joy, Suffering, Control and today will be Anxiety. I can send them to you daily or weekly. Just hit ‘reply’ and let me know. No charge.
Stay Healthy and Go Well
Alan
Announcement:
The National 9 days of Prayer started this morning on Zoom. You can join it and please do join it at www.prayasone.nz
Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.
