What shape will congregational ministry become in the future? George Hunsberger, professor of missiology at Western Theological Seminary and coordinator of The Gospel and Our Culture Network, and others worked on this question and presented some of their ideas at a conference a short time ago. He shared the Network's focus on strategies necessary for the recovery of the church's missional identity.
1. The church now lives in a post-Christian era. Congregations and clergy no longer enjoy the social position which formerly gave them prominence in North America. For example, churches no longer have influence regarding the scheduling of events by community organizations. Our congregations now live in a vast mission field where many are apathetic regarding the gospel.
2. Congregations will recover a missional character. They will become what David Bosch describes as "a body of people sent on a mission." Hunsberger noted two foci. First, congregations will recover their missional identity in a culture which draws people away from, rather than pushing them toward, churches. Second, congregations will become missionally engaged in their context with members involved in mission and ministry they perceive is faithful and having value and worth.
3. Congregations will come to terms with a pluralist society. The church will come to realize it must learn how to minister as a minority in a society composed of many colors, of Asian, African, and Hispanic heritage (as well as European), and of many ethical values. In addition to atheists, Christians will live next door to Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists, who affirm different ultimate principles.
4. While living in a consumer culture, a missional congregation will move beyond consumerism. Church growth advocates have urged congregations to attract people by offering better and larger programs, thereby strengthening the perception of churches as vendors of religious goods and services and occasionally pitting church against church. In moving beyond consumerism, currently dominant images will shift--in worship from a passive/entertained audience to worship participation (including roles in developing worship content), and in administration from policy committees to an emphasis on ministry teams.
5. A missional congregation will cultivate the future. It will transform congregational life by emphasizing ministry which corresponds to a vision for the future shaped by exile not exodus. An exodus paradigm conjures a crusader conquering the land (North America). An exile paradigm conjures life in the midst of an alien culture but still singing the Lord's song.
A great deal of work lies ahead. The next task is to develop strategies to work with congregations in re-forming ministry; while we focus on always being reformed by the word of God.
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