21 st century. 21 st Century 21 st Century Free Methodists GLOBAL TRENDS FUTURE RESPONSE.

21st century

21st Century

GLOBAL TRENDS

FUTURE RESPONSE

The prudent see danger and take refuge. The simple keep going and suffer for it.” Prov. 27.12 (Solomon)

“Trying to predict the future is like driving down a country road at night with the lights off looking into the rear view mirror.” Peter Drucker.

“Do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6.34 (Jesus)

More people. Changing family.Pluralism rules.Time valued.Resources

diminish.Religious shifts.Technology

transforms.

TREND

2000 – 6.6 billion 2060 – 10 billion Increase in elderly Urbanization

RESPONSE

Plant new churches

Connect with youth

Love the elderly

TREND

¼ families traditional

Fastest growing household is single

Marriage decreasing

Alternatives accepted

RESPONSE

Patient with diversity

Model healthy family

Minister to singles Provide loving

teaching on healthy sexuality

TREND

Multiple paths to heaven or faithfulness 47% evangelicals

believe Jesus is the way, truth, life.

Unique religious view viewed as dangerous

RESPONSE

Respect other faiths (does not mean accept)

Increase biblical literacy

Use symbol, art, story, drama to communicate

Be such a blessing to community that danger disbelieved

TREND

Increasingly Americans want family time.

Increasingly Americans want self-development and recreation.

… may be irrelevant with potential economic collapse…

RESPONSE

Limit church “busy-ness”

Help families and singles recreate together

TREND

“Go green” more than buzzword

Global dust-bowls Water becomes

most precious commodity

RESPONSE

Lead the way in good stewardship

Simple lifestyle

TREND

Islam grows dominant 1970 – 700, 90, 1.2 bil;

2025 – 2 billion (40% growth)

Christians 2.6 now, 2025 - 3 billion (15% growth)

South leads church 60% non-white, non-

US/Europe

RESPONSE

Love Muslims (and Buddhists and Wiccans)

Be missional about growth – birth rates won’t do it.

Be open to non-white, non Euro/American leaders – let the Spirit lead.

TREND

American increasingly irreligious 1% annual decline since 1990 Wicca doubles every 30

months Fastest growing demographic

is no-religion/agnostic/atheist Spiritual practices increasing All time low trust in church

(45%) – and clergy (66%/45%)

RESPONSE

Relational faith critical

New models of church

Fully engage spirituality

Be more Christian than politician

Restore credibility through true contribution

TREND

90% of all innovations occur since 1984

Digital communities trump human connection

Command-Control out: knowledge-based, em-powered grass roots in

Information NOW

RESPONSE

Embrace technology Social networking

necessary Web presence or die Connect with community Stop forwarding rumours

Resist technology Teach & live Sabbath–

unplug! Major on small groups Don’t get sucked in! Learn

and teach tech boundaries.

LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND, SOUL AND STRENGTH AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. (Lk.10.27)

GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. TEACH THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. (Mthw.28.19,20)