A few days ago we highlighted some statistics that said that church attendance is declining across the U.S. Chuck Warnock ascribes this to the hurting economy and high gas prices. He further made 4 predictions about how this will affect and change the way we do "church":
"1. Redefinition of “church.” Church will no longer be the place we go, church will be the people we share faith with. Churches will still meet together for worship at a central time and location, but that will become secondary to the ministry performed during the week....
2. Restructuring of church operations. Due to the high cost of fuel and a struggling economy, churches will become smaller, more agile, and less expensive to operate than in the past. ... Church buildings will become increasingly more expensive to maintain, and churches with unused weekday space will consider partnerships with businesses, other ministries, and helping agencies. Or churches will sell their conventional buildings and reestablish in storefronts that operate as retail businesses 6 days a week, and gathering places on Sunday (or Thursday or whenever)....
3. Repackaging of “sermons” and Christian education. With fewer people “attending” church, fewer will also attend Christian education classes. Churches will deliver Christian education content via mobile devices. Short video clips accessible from iPhones (and other smart devices) will be the primary content carriers for church and culture. Church members will still gather, but more for monthly celebrations, fellowship, and sharing than weekly meetings, worship, or learning....
4. Refocus from institution to inspiration. Okay, so I went for the easy alliteration there. Restated, less emphasis on the “church” and more on how the Church enables its adherents to live their faith. Declining church attendance is not a crisis of faith, it’s a crisis of delivery...."
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Interesting thoughts. Not sure if these are tied necessarily to rising energy prices and the cooling economy, or if they're more missional goals for the Church.
Do you forsee these things happening in the Church? OR Have you noticed any effects on your church caused by the economy or gas prices? Lower attendance? Lower tithes?
