Podcast Episode #252

Healthy churches of tomorrow will likely reflect these characteristics.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

* Pastoral longevity doesn't guarantee health in a church, but a series of short pastorates almost guarantees an unhealthy church.

* Most churches that have consistent health have consistent leadership.

* Many Millennial pastors don't see church hopping or ladder climbing as part of their future.

* As culture becomes more hostile to churches, you church's community presence becomes more important.

* New members' classes allow you to instill an outward focus into new members in the church.

* Setting expectations and providing information are essential to assimilation into the life of the church.

* The more adversity a church has, the more opportunities for gospel witness it has.

* The assimilation rate for someone connected to a group is five times higher than someone attending worship alone.

* When people are excited about their church, they naturally invite others to come.

The 10 signs of healthy churches 10 years from now are:

* They have the same pastor they did ten years ago.

* The pastor, staff, and church members have a decade of calling to the local community.

* The church will be as diverse as the community.

* The church will have responded to its international mission field in its own backyard for ten years.

* The church will have had a consistent and strategic outward focus for a decade.

* All new members the past ten years will have attended a new members’ class.

* The church will have seen the cultural changes of the decade as opportunities rather than threats.

* At least 80 percent of the worship attendance will have moved to a small group over the decade.

* At least 50 percent of the attendance will have invited at least four people to church each year.

* Every year for ten years these churches will have become more joyous and fun.

Episode Sponsors

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Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast