|
|
7 Trends Affecting You
April 1, 1998
Nearly every observer of America's religious scene agrees: the past three or four decades have brought radical changes. What has been the most significant change? Radical changes
- A religious reawakening with an emphasis on personal relationships with Jesus Christ?
- The replacement of the neighborhood congregation by the regional church?
- The expanded role of women in the church?
- The evolution from the 1960s' emphasis on racial integration to the 1990s' affirmation of ethnic separation?
- The new era of contemporary Christian music?
- The unprecedented increase in the number of large congregations that project high expectations of anyone seeking to become a full member?
- The change in emphasis from converting non-believers to transforming believers into disciples?
- The impact of television on worship and preaching?
- The gradual reduction in the number of Christians who identify themselves as "Protestants"?
- The erosion of denominational affiliation as a central component in a congregation's identity?
- The recent rapid increase in the number of congregations with multiple meeting places?
- The growing number of congregations that challenge the laity to do ministry while the paid staff "runs the church"?
- The obsolescence of the expectation that each new generation of churchgoers will be theologically more liberal than their parents, by the arrival of the post-1955 generations, who tend to be more conservative than their parents?
- The creation of learning communities to replace the traditional Sunday school?
- The unprecedented number of congregations owning from 20 to 400 acres to house their worshiping community?
- The increased competition among churches to reach potential future members?
- The exodus of the mainline Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic church from the larger central cities?
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
|
|
|
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
