I often speculate about the future of the church in our local communities and broader culture. What will it look like to be the church in 10, 15, or 20 years? What will our established churches become? What new ways will the Christian faith be expressed, practiced, shared, and experienced? There are a few observations I have that inform my speculations as I think about the future. Let me be clear, these speculations are not and should not be the determining factor of "how" and "why" the church should evolve or change. The "how" and "why" for the church is always God's Spirit. But making observations and looking into the future as best we can will help us see what it is we are doing that must change and what it is that must not change.
My main observation about the effectiveness of the church is that authentic and engaged relationships are the only thing that will sustainably advance the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Put another way, if we as the church do not engage in authentic relationships with new people who are currently disengaged or alienated from the Good news of God's Kingdom, the gospel will not advance in a sustainable way. Programs, ministries, acts of benevolence, publicity, and worship services are only as effective as the relationships they produce, nurture, and strengthen.
This is why I believe our focus must be on establishing and strengthening relationships more than maintaining facilities, building staff, and producing programs. If you think about it, the "success" stories of any program or ministry is a story of relationships. If relationships are indeed the point and method of the gospel itself (which I believe they are), then the church's focus should be on relationships. If our call is to extend the gospel hope to those who do not have it, then our focus should be on building relationships of authenticity with those people.
The challenge with this relational focus in the church is that it requires commitment from members, many of which never signed up for such intensive and personal responsibility. The good news is that all of us were made for relationships - they come naturally out of us and feed us as they take place. If we can somehow create opportunities for disciples in established churches to naturally initiate relationships with those who are not disciples, we may have a future after all.
I agree with you whole heartily, Ray. Unfortunately, it is the most difficult way to "do" church. It takes being real with God, ourselves, first, before we can be pure with those who join us on the journey. Most people do not treasure the work of sanctification - growing into Christ's-likeness. It is much easier to stay the same and pass on our hurts to others thus harming them as well. It is a real dilemma for the church. I agree with you and yet see the way there agonizing and trying and a constant teaching field as to the expectations of a Christian once they say, "yes" to the name. Press on brother, you are doing a marvelous job!
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