Podcast Episode #289

We look back at our trend predictions for 2016 and see how we fared.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* Decreases in worship center size have much to do with the Millennial generation and their desire for community.

* Replanting and church acquisitions are becoming the preferred methods for successful church revitalization.

* When people move into gentrified communities, churches typically follow.

* There has been a doctrinal renewal that has taken place in the church in recent years.

* If a pastor is not involved in small groups, the church probably doesn't have the healthiest possible groups system.

* Pastor search committees are realizing they often don't know how to find the best available candidates for a vacancy.

* Churches that are declining are typically declining at a more rapid pace than ever before.

* I still think the clock is ticking on the ministerial housing allowance, and it will go away within the next decade.

The 16 trends from 2016 that we cover today are:

* Church security as the fastest growing ministry.

* Decrease in worship center size and capacity.

* Increase in successfully revitalized churches.

* Rapid growth of coaching ministries for pastors and church staff.

* Increase in the numbers of churches in gentrified communities.

* Increased emphasis on practical ministry training.

* Increasing emphasis on groups in churches.

* Fewer segregated churches.

* The rise of the mini-denomination church.

* Increased pastoral tenure.

* Rise of alternative ministry placement organizations.

* Increase in the number of Millennials who are Christians.

* Accelerated decline of 100,000 American congregations.

* Churches no longer viewed favorably by many governmental units.

* More bivocational pastors and staff.

* Dramatic changes in senior adult ministries.

Episode Sponsors

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