From Greg Goeschel:
What will the local church look like in the next ten to twenty years?
This week I’ll offer some of my theories.
I’m writing from an American perspective. (Those of you around the world can help broaden my perspective.) Many of you will disagree. Please express your theories and we’ll learn from each other.
Larger and Smaller Churches will become larger and smaller.
Some say mega-churches won’t last. Others think megas represents the only future. Some are convinced small churches will all die. Others believe small churches will be the only ones left standing.
I believe large churches will grow larger and small churches will increase in number.
Here’s why I believe this to be true:
The mega church can do so much with an abundance of resources (including money and people) having a regional, national or international impact. As multi-site ministries expand, the ability to reach more people efficiently will enable churches to grow exponentially.
To me, the biggest downside is that many people are becoming increasingly skeptical (even hateful) of mega-ministries.
As some people reject the mega version of church, house churches will also thrive. (The mega church actually can have both, but that’s a whole other subject.)
On the positive side of house churches, people can engage in deep community and thrive in Acts 2-like living. The danger (in my opinion) is that these groups could easily barricade themselves from the rest of the world and become inwardly focused.
In my opinion, the mid-sized churches will struggle the most to survive and thrive.
I’d caution people from taking pride in their preferred church size. Bigger is not best. Smaller is not best. Whether large, mid-sized, or small, the important thing is that Christ is preached and the gospel is lived.
What do you think?
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I think the church that was left out of this article was the TV church. We all know this church, preaching from large venues, nice hair, nice clothes (on almost everyone) and no need for human contact from the person watching. You can take it or leave it and never have to be accountable to anyone. Instead of being a pew sitter you are a couch sitter.
Will this church survive? Will more people be attracked to this type of church? What will this type of church do to the ones discussed above?
This has always been a question of mine.
We have a lot of people who prefer the TV church because it avoids the messiness of human interaction. But God wants us to experience our gifts, share our treasure, and be in ministry to the world. You can’t do that in isolation. But many are deceived and will hear one day, “Away from me for I never knew you.”
How do we become part of the Body of Christ? Connection – Commitment – Calling
What others would you add?