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January 3, 2017 19 Comments

10 Major Trends for Churches in 2017 – Rainer on Leadership #290

Podcast Episode #290

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play


At the beginning of each year, we predict trends to look for in the church during the coming year. Today we explain why I chose these ten trends for 2017.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • In some ways, outreach and evangelism were easier in the past. A greater intentionality is needed today.
  • The gospel does not change, but how we reach people with it does.
  • If you don’t have a child protection policy in your church, you are living dangerously.
  • If you have a church credit card, you need checks and balances to ensure all purchases are church related.
  • My hope is that denominational leaders will see church closings as an opportunity instead of a reason for despair.
  • Longer pastoral tenure is correlative to better church health.
  • Healthy churches are being led by leaders who are in a continuous learning mode.

The 10 church trends for 2017 which we discuss are:

  1. Renewed emphasis on evangelism.
  2. Renewed emphasis on practical ministries.
  3. Increased frequency of allegations of child sex abuse in churches.
  4. Increased financial fraud in churches.
  5. The multi-site movement becoming a neighborhood church movement.
  6. An acceleration of church closures.
  7. Church acquisitions becoming normative.
  8. Worship center downsizing becomes normative.
  9. Longer pastoral tenure.
  10. The remarkable shift toward continual learning.

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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 Who Moved My Pulpit?

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast

  • Invite Your One
  • Invite Your One featuring Jeremy Roberts
  • Belay Solutions – Church Bookkeeping
  • Multi-Site Church for the Rest of Us, featuring Jimmy Scroggins
  • Five Seismic Shifts Virtual Tour

Related

Comments

  1. Mark says

    January 3, 2017 at 7:25 am

    If evangelism could be done in the shadows of temples to Zeus and Diana in the ancient world, it can be done today. Part of the problem is that some church members don’t particularly want new converts because they upset the status quo and the new converts are treated like third class Christians and leave. Before starting on an evangelism campaign, church leaders need to prepare their own congregation first.

    Also, denominational leaders need to be removed if they are ineffective and should not be failed church leaders as this is “social promotion” which never has a good outcome. Also, for effective denominational leaders, please be accessible. Please let people know who you are as well as how to contact you. Please don’t visit a church and just remain surrounded (and insulated) by clergy and the church leadership. Please be willing to talk to the undesirables in the congregation.

    Reply
    • Thom Rainer says

      January 3, 2017 at 8:46 am

      Well said, Mark.

      Reply
  2. Bob@Foy.com says

    January 3, 2017 at 8:47 am

    Tom,
    Are you aware of the Church Renewal Journey ministry that help a church to awaken their laity to the fact that the Holy Spirit want to do something with each of congregation and not just with the pastor.
    Church Renewal Journey was formally known as Lay Renewal back in the ’80s but has been reborn about 10 years ago and is a growing ministry.
    What is your comments about this Lay Led Ministry?

    Reply
    • Thom Rainer says

      January 3, 2017 at 9:08 am

      I’m not familiar with it.

      Reply
      • Ellen Zaborsky says

        January 3, 2017 at 7:40 pm

        It has been part of NAMB. We’ve worked with it since 1978. All churches need to go through the 5 weekends. Wonderful program.

        Reply
  3. Bill Pitcher says

    January 3, 2017 at 9:14 am

    I must loudly shout my agreement on the matter of intentional continuing education. I’m way behind the 8-ball on this myself and recognize the need to expand my knowledge base. It distresses me to no end to hear pastors of all ages who are “too busy” to continue their quest.

    Reply
    • Thom Rainer says

      January 3, 2017 at 7:56 pm

      Totally agree, Bill.

      Reply
  4. Mark Wheatley says

    January 3, 2017 at 1:22 pm

    Tom,

    Can you give the reference for your stat on the correlation between church health and pastor tenure? This is an area that I am doing research in.

    Thanks,
    Mark Wheatley

    Reply
    • Thom Rainer says

      January 3, 2017 at 8:05 pm

      Mark –

      Because “church health” has such broad implications, it is hard to conduct a data-based study. The evidence is anecdotal. The last data-based study of which I am aware can be found in somewhat dated book, Effective Evangelistic Churches.

      Reply
  5. Mark Penrith says

    January 3, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    “If you don’t have a child protection policy in your church, you are living dangerously.”

    Guy’s (Tom and the voice), our church is busy trying to put a policy into place. Our youth/kids ministry has exploded and we’ve plenty new workers in it. Care to drop a link to an example or send an email of a suggestion?

    Thanks,

    Mark

    Reply
    • Thom Rainer says

      January 3, 2017 at 9:53 pm

      Here’s a good resource: http://store.churchlawtodaystore.com/chbogutochab.html

      Reply
    • Todd Wilhelm says

      January 3, 2017 at 9:59 pm

      Mark,
      Allow me to recommend Boz Tchividjian’s ministry – GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment).

      http://www.netgrace.org

      Kind Regards,
      Todd Wilhelm

      Reply
  6. Richard says

    January 7, 2017 at 7:22 am

    Thom,
    Not to veer off topic of trends, but what are your thoughts on house churches/home church Bible studies verses emerging today like what existed in the time of Acts? I notice a lot of Paul’s writings he addresses them as “to the Romans or such and such who meet at such and such house”…I’d love to hear what you have to say about this, if it should still be done and etc instead of going to the “corporate church” to worship with thousands of others. Thanks for your time in writing back. I love your ministry and how the Lord is using you!

    Richard,
    Canton, Ohio

    Reply
  7. Bobby Dees says

    January 30, 2017 at 9:01 am

    Effective/enduring Evangelism starts with GOD to fulfill the Great Commission, we need to pray, fast, give tithes, study/stay in GOD’s word, go to church and ask GOD to help us in bringing His people’s to Christ. As Christians, we have to stay in alignment with Christ to fulfill GOD’s ultimate goal’s for the ministry.

    In all we do GOD, put GOD first, it’s not about us, but His will for our lives!

    Before a pastor move a pulpit, the pastor must pray to GOD and ask his blessing, then discuss the matter with other Pastors, Elders, Deacons and the congregation.

    Reply
    • Chet Bergeron says

      February 5, 2017 at 1:01 pm

      Amen. We as Christians must always follow God’s lead on our lives before anything else is acted upon.

      Reply
  8. Daniel Sheshi says

    February 3, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    Thoroughly enjoyed this podcast! In my present day ministry context we are really seeing the importance of having child protection policies in place. Right now we are being intentional about reaching the children in the inner-city communities if our cities and our bussing them into our church, doing bible studies and playing games. In this fun season our eyes have been open to the need to have written policies in place that can protect us from any potential issues though we hope there will not be a need.

    Reply
    • Chet Bergeron says

      February 5, 2017 at 12:59 pm

      Daniel, would you mind giving me some more info on how you protect your bus drivers picking up children in the community? We have a bus ministry and could potentially bring 55 people to church every Sunday, instead, we bring 25 because I am afraid to give my drivers the go-ahead on picking up children with culture the way it is.

      Do you have the parents sign a form?
      Do you have specific insurance for this?
      Appreciate your time! Thanks brother

      Reply
  9. Chet Bergeron says

    February 5, 2017 at 1:05 pm

    Great podcast guys I appreciate the availability of this. This is an excellent resource for myself and my church. I particularly liked #5, I am seeing this same movement and with this, in mind, it helps to reach more people. I am a continual learner, but listening to the podcast today really encouraged me to do more so that I can reach more people. Thank you

    Reply
    • Thom Rainer says

      February 5, 2017 at 1:10 pm

      Thanks for listening!

      Reply

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