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"The future is already here--it's just not evenly distributed."
-Author William Gibsoni
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During 2009, I personally interviewed fifty leaders of large churches that were effectively engaged in global missions. All around us are examples of innovators and early adopters who have discovered new principles for doing mission--fresh, more effective ways of thinking, being and doing that are not yet dominant…but will be in only a matter of time. I'd like to introduce you to eight trends that I believe will shape the future of missions.
1) Mutuality
The future of missions will be shaped by mutuality between East and West, North and South, sending and receiving nations. Because there are now vibrant believers and thriving churches in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eurasia, and even the Middle East, we in the West shouldn't think of ourselves as the saving force in world missions. Churches worldwide are learning to come together.
2) Partnering
Partnering is different than mutuality. While mutuality describes the equality of those who come to the table, partnering pertains to projects that require the assistance of skilled co-laborers. Partnering is not about outside missionaries bringing prescribed programs into a country but rather it begins with what indigenous leaders in the country are trying to accomplish.
3) Investing in leaders
Leadership is everything. Wherever good things are happening, a capable and passionate man or woman will be leading the way. Churches that are effective overseas have learned to leverage the passion of local leaders. How do you recognize good leaders who will make great partners? The most obvious sign is they are already engaged in effective ministry without any outside help.
4) Combining good deeds and good news
Combining good deeds and good news is not novel in foreign missions. What is new is the level of problem solving in which externally focused, missional churches are engaged. Today, influential people are speaking out for global, holistic solutions. Jonathan Martin of Good Shepherd Church in Boring, OR (www.goodshepherdcc.org) says that even in the toughest of countries they don't leave Jesus at the immigration booth. Jonathan told me, "When we are asked if we intend to proselytize people through our service we tell them, 'We're here to make Jesus known and Jesus gets known through his followers doing good' . . . |
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Graham Named Most Influential Preacher |
Protestant pastors see Billy Graham as the most influential living preacher, by a large margin, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by LifeWay Research.
Pastors who represent both liberal and conservative Protestant churches were asked to name three living preachers that have most influenced them. Billy Graham, who has preached to more than 200 million
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Nearly one-third of the American adult population serves as a family caregiver according to a new report, Caregiving in the U.S. 2009. The study is based on interviews with 1,480 caregivers chosen at random and offers a national profile of people caring for adults, the elderly and children with special needs.
Notable findings include:
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One in seven caregivers provides care, over and above regular parenting, to a child with special needs.
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Caregiving lasts an average of 4.6 years.
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Americans Mix Multiple Faiths |
Large numbers of Americans engage in multiple religious practices, mixing elements of diverse traditions and attending worship services of more than one faith or denomination, according to the results of a new poll by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life.
Though the U.S. is an overwhelmingly Christian country, significant minorities profess belief in a variety of Eastern or New Age beliefs. These often get mixed with true Christian beliefs for many Americans. For instance, 24% of the public overall and 22% of Christians say they believe in reincarnation--that people will be reborn in this world again and again. And similar numbers (25% of the public overall, 23% . . .
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| What's New in Your World? |
During the last year, Leadership Network launched its InnovationLab project to partner with churches to explore together "what's next." Our exploration so far has surfaced conversations about new directions in women's ministry, small groups and family ministry. We would love to get your insights into other areas where innovation is surfacing. Please take five minutes right now to give us some feedback here.
We will gather and review your feedback and then report back on new InnovationLab offerings in a coming edition of Leadership Network Advance. For additional information on the InnovationLab experience, go to http://innovationlab.leadnet.org.
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| Aha! |
New voices. Fresh Ideas.
Wednesday March 3, 2010
9am Pacific/12pm Eastern |
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The postmodern culture certainly shapes the lives of young people, but it also has a profound impact on every person of every age in every church. To develop leaders in this culture, many next generation pastors have concluded that they have to lower the bar of entry into the process, select more carefully than ever, and connect deeply by mentoring to impart truth, skills, and character.
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You can peruse 100+ past issues of Leadership Network Advance and get valuable information on a variety of ministry topics in our Archives. Select VIEW FULL ARCHIVES LIST to see what's there. |
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