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Fifteen Trends for Churches in 2015, Part 2

In Saturday’s post, I shared with you trends 9 to 15 for 2015. Here is the introduction I wrote to that article:

Trend prediction is both an art and a science. It is a science in the sense that I utilize the good objective research of credible research organizations like LifeWay Research and others. It is an art in that I depend on observations, anecdotal information, and ongoing interaction with church leaders and members.

At the beginning of every year, I attempt to present to you the major trends for congregations for the coming twelve months. I review my predictions from previous years to see how accurate I am. I have come to two conclusions. First, I am far from perfect in my predictions. Second, I do have a decent track record.

Some of my trends are called “tipping points.” Formally defined, a tipping point is the critical moment in an evolving situation that leads to a new and somewhat permanent reality. In simple terms, a tipping point here means that something has changed in our churches to the point that it appears to be permanent.

These final eight trends are those I consider to be of greatest magnitude for their potential impact on churches. As a reminder, I am presenting them in reverse order.

8. More partnerships between denominations and churches. Of course, not all churches belong to a denomination. For those that do, denominational entities typically created the resource or mission opportunity and churches would follow their lead. In 2015 we will see more “bottom up” partnerships, meaning that churches lead the partnerships, but denominations participate in them. That is particularly true for seminaries. That issue is thus a separate trend, noted in the number 7.

7. More focus on theological education in local churches. I am not among the pundits who believe that seminaries will become extinct. They still have a vital role for training ministers. I do see, however, a continued shift for more theological education taking place in local congregations. The successful seminaries in the upcoming years will seek to partner with churches rather than compete with them.

6. The tipping point for a plurality of teaching pastors. In the recent past, churches that had more than one regular preacher or teaching pastor were an anomaly, and they were usually very large churches. In 2015 multiple teaching pastors will become normative, and they will be pervasive in smaller churches as well.

5. Continued increased in the number of multi-site churches. Two years ago, the multi-site movement in America reached a tipping point. Their growth will continue unabated in 2015.

4. The beginnings of prayer movement in our churches. I am seeing the growth of more and more organizations dedicated to prayer in the local church. I am observing this passion become a greater emphasis with pastors, particularly Millennial pastors. This movement will accelerate in popular Christian culture with the release of the next movie by the Kendrick brothers in 2015.

3. The tipping point for small groups. The evidence for the efficacy of small groups in the local church is too overwhelming to be ignored. I see a new movement of “groups” taking place that will be similar in growth as the Sunday school movement was in the late 19th century through the first half of the 20th century.

2. Increased difficulty in matching prospective pastors with churches with pastoral vacancies. This trend is growing and frustrating to both pastors and those in churches seeking pastors. It is particularly frustrating for those churches that use the pastoral search committee model. I will not be surprised to see that model begin to change in 2015.

1. Smaller worship gatherings. The era of the large worship gathering is waning. Churches that are growing will likely do so through multiple services, multiple venues, and multiple sites. This trend will accelerate through the growing influence of Gen X and the Millennials.

I am so grateful for the readers of this blog. You are some of the most insightful and engaging people I know. I can’t wait to see your continued responses to the 15 trends.

Happy new year!

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Pray for Eden Westside Baptist Church

Location: Pell City, Alabama

Pastor: Jacky Connell

Weekly Worship: Sundays at 8:10 and 11:00 a.m., Central.

Fast Facts: Eden Westside has been blessed with the leadership of their pastor for 27 years. In that time, they’ve seen massive growth. They lead their association in baptisms and have been recognized by the SBC and Billy Graham association for the same. Eden Westside partners with local leaders, leads Bible studies in secular locations (like a thrift store), and partners with Good Shepherd Ministries in Haiti. They are launching a new campus next week, January 11, 2015. They did not seek to branch out, but this opportunity has basically been dropped in their laps with God opening numerous doors. Pray for Eden Westside as they try to reach this area for the Kingdom through their two campuses. Pray for the pastor, staff, leaders, and members as they need strength and stamina for the work in 2015. In 2014, they felt many members under attack—physical, spiritual, financial, marital, and mental. Pray for them to look toward the Lord as they go into battle.

Website: EdenWestside.org

“Pray for . . .” is the Sunday blog series at ThomRainer.com. We encourage you to pray for these churches noted every Sunday. Please feel free to comment that you are praying as well.

If you would like to have your church featured in the “Pray for…” series, download this information form and return it to the address on the form.

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Fifteen Trends for Churches for 2015, Part 1

Trend prediction is both an art and a science. It is a science in the sense that I utilize the good objective research of credible research organizations like LifeWay Research and others. It is an art in that I depend on observations, anecdotal information, and ongoing interaction with church leaders and members.

At the beginning of every year, I attempt to present to you the major trends for congregations for the coming twelve months. I review my predictions from previous years to see how accurate I am. I have come to two conclusions. First, I am far from perfect in my predictions. Second, I do have a decent track record.

Some of my trends are called “tipping points.” Formally defined, a tipping point is the critical moment in an evolving situation that leads to a new and somewhat permanent reality. In simple terms, a tipping point here means that something has changed in our churches to the point that it appears to be permanent.

With that in mind, I present to you my 15 trends for 2015. They are presented in reverse order of their potential magnitude. Today, you will read trends 9 to 15. On Monday, I will conclude with trends 1 to 8.

15. A rapid increase in bi-vocational church staff. We have noted the growing trend of bi-vocational pastors. We will see in 2015 an accelerated trend of other church staff becoming bi-vocational.

14. The tipping point of churches eliminating Sunday evening worship services. We see the number of U. S. churches offering a Sunday evening service to dip below 5 percent of all churches in America. In other words, this service will become almost extinct.

13. More emphasis on congregational singing. In many of our churches, both traditional and contemporary, you can hardly hear the congregation sing. There will be an increased emphasis on intentionally bringing the congregants into worship through singing.

12. Growth of verbal incarnational evangelism. Incarnational evangelism is simply defined as presenting the good news through our Christ-like lifestyle to non-believers. There will be an increased emphasis to share the gospel verbally as well as demonstrating a gospel witness through our lifestyle.

11. The waning and reconfiguration of denominational structures. This trend is already taking place, but it will accelerate in 2015. Denominational structures will continue to get smaller and more streamlined, and churches will not be able to expect the same type of resources they have received in the past.

10. Congregations growing in favor in their respective communities. Churches are transitioning from being an island in the midst of their communities to being a real and positive presence. As church members seek to serve their communities in a plethora of ways, the communities will see these churches more as valued partners.

9. Continued flow of people from smaller churches to larger churches. There will be a continued increase in the number of attendees in churches with an average worship attendance of 1,000 and larger. Churches with an attendance of 400 to 999 will be collectively stable in attendance. And the number of people attending church in congregations with an attendance under 400 will decline.

Let me hear your thoughts on these trends. And return on Monday as I present the top eight trends in churches in America for 2015.

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Discouragement in Ministry – Rainer on Leadership #086

Podcast Episode #086

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In this first podcast episode of 2015, we expound on what discourages those in ministry. Like criticism, overcoming discouragement is a two-pronged approach. Ministers need to know how to handle it, and members need to realize how their actions can cause it.

Some highlights from this week’s episode include:

An active church member 15 years ago attended church three times a week. Now it’s three times a month.
Church membership classes can help decrease the discouragement for staff by giving members expectations and information up front.
Pastors or staff members can run themselves ragged trying to meet personal demands placed on them from church members.
Many ministers lack business and administrative training but are expected to know how to run what amounts to a small business.
You have no right to attack the family of a staff person because of dissatisfaction with the minister.
Every church staff will have conflict and differences. It is normal. The key is how you resolve that conflict.

The ten issues we covered were:

Conflicts/complaining/murmuring.
Lack of fruit and spiritual maturity in church members.
Apathy.
Church members who leave the church for seemingly silly or no reasons.
Expectations by members/lack of time.
Performing tasks where the pastor/staff does not have competencies.
Meetings/committees.
Family concerns.
Staff issues.
Lack of volunteers.

Episode Sponsor

The Cross Church School of Ministry is a one-year residential ministry experience hosted by Cross Church and Dr. Ronnie Floyd.  It uniquely designed to prepare leaders for life, ministry, and Gospel advancement globally. For more information about the Cross Church School of Ministry visit:  www.CrossChurchSchool.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church.

Resources

The Number One Reason for the Decline in Church Attendance and Five Ways to Address It
I Am a Church Member
Seven Reasons Pastors May Need a Virtual Assistant
Pastors’ Wives
Pastors’ Kids

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Notable Voices: Top Links of the Year

15 Ideas to Help You Evaluate Your Church Bulletin — Rich Birch

In his post earlier this year on the blog, Chuck Lawless touched on what the content of your bulletin says about who you are as a church. These tips from Rich Birch will help you better define what your bulletin should and should not contain.

 

5 Mistakes Pastors Make on Easter (and How to Avoid Them) — Brandon Hilgemann

Easter is always a big day in churches around the world, so be careful to avoid these five mistakes pastors can easily make.

 

How Much Should You Pay a Guest Preacher? — Art Rainer

When I discuss pastor compensation on the blog, it creates robust discussion. But what about those who fill the pulpit while the pastor is out—especially those from outside the church? What about their compensation? In his article, Art provides some great tips for paying guest preachers.

 

21 Ways to Keep a Church from Growing — Ron Edmondson

As Ron correctly states in the post, there’s nothing wrong with being a small church. However, sometimes churches could—and should—grow, but we get in the way. Ron gives 21 examples.

 

21 Signs Your Church Needs to Change — Carey Nieuwhof

Carey has put together a list of questions which will get to the heart of every church. I would encourage you to read these with a humble heart.

 

3 Deadly Symptoms of a Sick Church Staff Culture — Lance LeBlanc

Earlier in 2014, I shared an interview with William Vanderbloemen on ways to spot emotionally healthy church staff members. In this article, Lance looks at symptoms of an unhealthy church staff.

 

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Top 14 Posts of 2014: The Top 5

Because of the readers of this site, this year has been a record year for ThomRainer.com. I am humbled so many of you visit this site, share my articles and those by Dr. Lawless, and subscribe to the blog and podcast. I never could have imagined the volume of response I have seen to the articles posted here. Thank you again to all who have read, shared, and commented on the posts in 2014. I can’t wait to see what 2015 will bring.

Here are the top 14 posts of 2014 at ThomRainer.com:

5. – The Most Common Factor in Declining Churches

Stated simply, the most common factor in declining churches is an inward focus. The ministries are only for the members. The budgetary funds are used almost exclusively to meet the needs of the members. The times of worship and worship styles are geared primarily for the members. Conflict takes place when members don’t get things their way. You get the picture.

 

4. – What Worship Style Attracts the Millennials?

You see, most Millennials don’t think in the old worship war paradigm. In that regard, “style” of worship is not their primary focus. Instead they seek worship services and music that have three major elements.

 

3. – Seven Ways to Hurt Your Pastor

This past week alone, I had conversations with dozens of pastors. These pastors love their churches and the members. They are really committed to their callings. But they are real people who can really be hurt. The pastors I spoke with this past week shared with me seven common themes of the things that hurt them the most. So, if you really want to hurt your pastor, follow these guidelines carefully.

 

2. – One Sentence That Pastors and Church Staff Hate to Hear

The moment they hear it, they feel the “cringe factor” throughout their body. Even as the first few words are spoken, the recipient feels his or her emotions plummeting. It is the one sentence that is uniformly dreaded by pastors and church staff. It typically begins with these words: “People are saying that . . . “

 

1. – Top Ten Ways Churches Drive Away First-time Guests

If you attend a church regularly, you’ve probably noticed the phenomenon. A guest shows up for a worship service, but he or she never returns. It is, unfortunately, a common issue in many churches. I did a Twitter poll to ask these first-time guests why they chose not to return to a particular church. While some of the responses were anticipated, I admit being a bit surprised with some of them.

#11-15: Click here.

#6-10: Click here.

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Top 14 Posts of 2014: Part 2

Because of the readers of this site, this year has been a record year for ThomRainer.com. I am humbled so many of you visit this site, share my articles and those by Dr. Lawless, and subscribe to the blog and podcast. I never could have imagined the volume of response I have seen to the articles posted here. Thank you again to all who have read, shared, and commented on the posts in 2014. I can’t wait to see what 2015 will bring.

Here are the top 14 posts of 2014 at ThomRainer.com:

10. – Ten Traits of Pastors Who Have Healthy Long-term Tenure

The median tenure of a pastor at a church is around four years. Simply stated, over one-half of pastors leave a church before their fourth anniversary. And our research shows that the time of greatest fruit in a pastor’s ministry does not begin until somewhere around years five to seven. Is it possible, then, for pastors to stay longer in a healthy situation? In many cases, the answer is a resounding “yes”!

 

9. – Nine Heartfelt Things Pastors Would Like to Say to Their Church Members

Pastors are human. And there are times they would like church members to know some things about them. In my conversations with pastors via social media, in person, by phone, and by email, here are the nine most common themes.

 

8. – Nine Rapid Changes in Church Worship Services

I have assembled nine changes that have come at a rapid pace in many churches. Please note my perspective. I am offering these from the perspective of a researcher; I am not making qualitative assessments. Also, with every trend there will be thousands of churches that are exceptions to the norm. But these are the changes in the majority of churches in North America.

 

7. – Eleven of the Most Common Mistakes Churches Make

This “top ten plus one” list is not comprehensive. It simply represents the most common mistakes I see.

 

6. – Should Your Church Stop Having a Stand and Greet Time?

So what is it about this stand and greet time that many guests don’t like? Here are the seven most common responses, again listed in order of frequency.

#11-15: Click here.

#1-5: Coming Wednesday

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Top 14 Posts of 2014

Because of the readers of this site, this year has been a record year for ThomRainer.com. I am humbled so many of you visit this site, share my articles and those by Dr. Lawless, and subscribe to the blog and podcast. I never could have imagined the volume of response I have seen to the articles posted here. Thank you again to all who have read, shared, and commented on the posts in 2014. I can’t wait to see what 2015 will bring.

Here are the top 14 posts of 2014 at ThomRainer.com:

14. – Seven Warning Signs of Affairs for Pastors and Other Church Staff

The conversation is always sad, always tragic. And do you know what the most common theme I’ve heard in all of these conversations? — “I never thought this would happen to me.”

 

13. – Seven Warnings for Church Leaders Who Use Social Media

Social media can harm the ministries of those in Christian leadership. So, whether your platform is a blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google Plus, or many others, please note these seven warnings. Indeed, it is my prayer that you will heed these seven warnings.

 

12. – 11 Differences between a College Football Fan and a Church Member

Caution: While I do write these comparisons with some humor and a lot of hyperbole, you might get just a bit uncomfortable reading them. That may indicate there is some truth in each of them.

 

11. – Six Reasons Some Churches Are Moving Back to One Worship Style

I spoke to a number of pastors whose churches had made the shift back to a singular worship style. I asked about their motivations for leading their congregations in such a direction. I heard six recurring themes, though no one leader mentioned more than three for a particular church.

#6-10: Coming Tuesday

#1-5: Coming Wednesday

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Pray for Restoration Church

Location: Wake Forest, North Carolina

Pastor: Trea Brinson

Weekly Worship: Sundays at 10:30 a.m., Eastern.

Fast Facts: Based in the Raleigh-Durham area, Restoration Church is conducting a prayer emphasis this next year. Their goal is to have 1,000 people committed to praying for them for a full year in 2015. They are asking partners to sign up at their website. Prayer partners will receive prayer points once a month (between the 1st and 5th of every month) for them to specifically pray for those points. If you’re interested in signing up to pray for Restoration Church in 2015, you can do so here.

Website: RestorationRDU.com

“Pray for . . .” is the Sunday blog series at ThomRainer.com. We encourage you to pray for these churches noted every Sunday. Please feel free to comment that you are praying as well.

If you would like to have your church featured in the “Pray for…” series, download this information form and return it to the address on the form.

The post Pray for Restoration Church appeared first on ThomRainer.com.

Eight Things I’m Praying Will Happen in Churches in 2015

On January 3, 2015, I will release my 15 trends for churches in 2015. Before I get to those trends, I want to share with you readers my specific prayers for congregations as we enter a new year. Obviously my prayer requests and trends are not the same. The latter is my assessment of where churches are headed. The former is my heartfelt desire where I pray they will head.

You will likely recognize some of these themes if you read this blog with any regularity. These are my eight prayer requests for churches in 2015:

For greater emphasis on prayer. Many, if not most, churches have a woeful emphasis on corporate prayer. Churches who do not give prayer a high priority are churches without God’s power.
For standing firm on biblical truth. Culture is trying to push our congregations away from the truths of Scripture. We cannot yield to that pressure. If we do, our congregations cease to be true, biblical churches.
For greater unity in our churches. There is too much infighting in many of our congregations. And there is too much disunity from church to church. The world is watching our fights. “Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us” (1 John 3:23).
For greater intentionality in evangelism. The typical church in America is doing very little to share the gospel of Christ boldly and intentionally. May we be so grateful for what Christ has done for us that “we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
For greater emphasis on groups. Churches should grow larger by growing smaller. A church member not in a small group or Sunday school class is not fully committed to the body.
For membership to be more meaningful. For many churches, membership has become nearly meaningless. For others, membership is a perceived entitlement, much like country club membership. I pray that membership in our congregations will become truly biblical as Paul demonstrated in 1 Corinthians 12.
For clear plans of discipleship. Too many congregations cannot clearly articulate how members can become more obedient followers of Christ. This issue was the thesis of my book with Eric Geiger, Simple Church.
For more ministry involvement and impact in our communities. I pray that our churches will become known by the positive impact they have in their respective communities. As we obey Acts 1:8, we must first be obedient to our own Jerusalem.

These are my eight prayers for our churches. What do you think of them? What are your prayers for our congregations?

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