Change is the only constant.
The culture we live in is constantly evolving. Is the church ready to tackle this change?
The way we engage community is changing. The way we do church is changing. In fact, the way we plant churches is changing, too!
Church planters need to be aware of the latest trends that are transforming the way churches are being launched. If you are called to start a church, here are the top seven church planting trends that you should be mindful of:
1. Strategic planting:
Planting a church is going to become more intentional, strategic and technical. Church planters already have more access to resources, tools and training than ever before. Right from church planting assessment tools and free resources to conferences and boot camps – all the help you need for church planting is out there!
Church planting is going to get even more specialized in the future.
Are you prepared for battle?
2. Kingdom collaboration:
The next generation of church planters is going to have a collaborative mindset. Many churches are already working together, fueled by a common passion to reach their cities.
Expect denominational lines to get less distinct, while the desire to see Jesus build His Kingdom only deepens! Missiologist Ed Stetzer predicts that future church planters will be less focused on the superman model of leadership, and more focused on team leadership.
Stetzer hopes that “we stop seeing church plants as competition, but instead create opportunities for kingdom collaboration.”
Are you ready to collaborate?
3. Bi-vocational church planters:
Watch out for the rise of the tentmaker! Or, in the words of Thom Rainer, the marketplace pastor. Lack of financial support remains an unflinching challenge for many church planters. However, gone are the days when inadequate resources forced church planters to seek another vocation.
In the future, church planters will opt to work in the marketplace as a first choice, not as a last resort. Whether they have financial support or not, church planters will choose to embrace the marketplace.
In fact, their marketplace vocation will equip church planters with better leadership skills and a higher capacity for work. And most importantly, it will give them the opportunity to share the Gospel with many others.
Are you a tentmaking church planter?
4. Radically diverse churches:
Segregated churches are going to be the rare exception. The church is all set to be multiracial, multiethnic and multicultural. How else can the church stay relevant in a cultural landscape that is getting increasingly diverse by the day?
In fact, many church planting networks, such as Acts 29, are focusing on becoming a “radically diverse crowd.” This trend is only going to get stronger. After all, Paul didn’t plant separate churches for Jews and Gentiles in the New Testament, did he?
Are you ready to minister to a radically diverse crowd?
5. Multisite churches:
The verdict is in: multisite churches are here to stay!
Did you know that there are over 5,000 multisite churches in the US? And, it’s not just megachurches, smaller churches are increasingly launching multiple campuses too.
This trend is not surprising since multisite churches typically activate more people in ministry than single-site churches do. What’s more, multisite churches also tend to have a broader impact in diverse communities.
Are you looking to launch a multisite church?
If you are, check out this FREE 7-part micro course, sharing key learnings from various multisite church leaders across the country. Get the micro course right away for a first-hand account of the challenges and best practices of launching multiple campuses.
6. Let church go to the people:
The statistics say it all: If America’s churchless were to form a nation, it would be the 8th most populous country in the world! What’s worse, people are less open to the idea of church than they have ever been before.
That’s why the church will need to “go to the people,” rather than expect them to “come to church.”
Churches that set up in a casual, neutral environment such as a movie theater, bowling alley, or pizza parlor are more inviting than a traditional church setting.
Church planters will increasingly launch churches in everyday, community spaces. After all, is there a better way to be embedded in the community?
7. Church on wheels:
Portable churches are fast becoming mainstream. Church planters will increasingly choose to launch churches in portable venues over permanent buildings.
And, why not? Portability helps churches save considerable building and maintenance costs, while allowing them to channelize those resources to ministry. What’s more, portable churches enjoy the freedom to upgrade or downsize as per their requirements. In fact, you can check out these 10 advantages that mobile churches have over permanent buildings.
In the wise words of Pastor Carey Nieuwhof, “Portable church should be a permanent part of the future.”
Are you looking to start a church in a portable venue? Portable Church can help you launch your church in the right location.
We have been helping church planters successfully launch in all kinds of venues for the last few decades. Give us a call today at 800.939.7722 and we’ll help you move into the perfect church location for your weekend services!
In the meantime, check out these seven key statistics that all church planters should know.
That’s not all, we also have a free e-book for you! Download the 5 Essential Ideas for Church Planters for a list of the key factors to keep in mind as you launch your church. Get your copy today!
