As 2010 rolls in so does the end of one decade and at the end of the year the beginning of another.   Interestingly enough, I wonder how the census this year will showcase what many of us already know.   It used to be that demographics changed much more slowly – however with dramatic shifts in the work force and economy – areas like Wilmington Ohio the needs of the community have changed a great deal.   So -How does does this shift affect how the church should do ministry?  It is important to follow these communities because simply put – these drastic changes are felt in the smaller communities first – and … while many are awaiting the census results to make moves – all one has to do is see through the fog on the smaller scale.

Suburbs Are a Changin… With roughly 1/2 of the United States population living in the suburbs – the suburbs are changing… Lines between communities are becoming less and less clear.   Most suburban communities have an aging population.   The need for amenities to service the “Boomer Generation” are going to become much more prevalent.    It is believed the Senior Citizen generation is going to increase 36% between 2000 and 2019.  The move for mixed-age neighborhoods is happening – and with the current economical state of the programs to assist the elderly is in question – The church needs to prepare not only to assist with this aging generation – but also the people who are taking care of the generation.  The senior population is expected to expand as much as 70% in some places like the South East as well as the Western Moutain region.   Boomers will not want the old style of ministry… is your church prepared?

Colors are a Blendin… I believe the 2010 census vs the 2020 census will show a dramatic shift in the U.S. population.   While today the diversity is not as culturally blended as many would lead you to believe by 2020 the pre-school and grade school population will see this crossover.   Churches need to prepare to have programs that speak to the needs of a culturally diverse community – including new and different types of ministry to children and their parents.  These younger generations – and their parents, like all cultures, want to share their lives (both spiritually and communally) with people of like interests, life stages, languages, etc…  Let’s face it folks – as homogeneity changes so will the needs of the community, as people are blended the needs to speak and be culturally relevant is going to become more difficult for the church – specifically in ethnic terms.   People will still gravitate towards those that are like them…  Is your church preparing to be a blended mix?   Red and Yellow Black and White – They are Precious in His site… Jesus loves the little children of the …community.

Numbers are a droppin… A great friend of mine holds the patent on a fantastic technology that allows you to control a computer from another location from your own… Sadly – this technology has not changed the fact that people still will travel for business.   Most churches watch attendance numbers and believe if more guests are attending – then attendance will likely go up.   (While this is true… so is the inverse)   If a church looses members than the number in attendance will remain the same… OR WILL IT?    As the business world changes, so do the attendance behaviors of the church goer.   This past year I traveled quite a bit – the membership in the local church did not change (well until recently due to a move…) but my attendance had.

There are a number of churches such as Granger Community and Church of the Resurrection that are boldly moving forward with development and build out of online communities.  The churches that embrace the ability to be in communion and fellowship online are perhaps the only ones that have an understanding of the attendance metric.   People are looking to remain active in the church however due to work and other issues – the ability to attend the church building is changing drastically.

Why does a church look at attendance as such an important number?   Because faithfulness to the local church is one of the key components one can use to measure Christian discipleship.  Is your church preparing to begin doing more than a pod-cast?   Is your church preparing an online community where interaction (a technical term for fellowship) can take place?

Gettin it Done or Strategically Doin IT…

Churches generally fall into three categories:  Churches that use technology to get things done & Churches with a Missional Technology Strategy and those that don’t use technology at all.   We will focus on the first two here however:

• Churches that use technology to get things done do not use the tools to actually disciple folks – but rather to assist them in that process.
• Churches that have a Technology strategy build teams that empower them to do ministry online.   They utilize the Internet and other technologies to help introduce others to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Does your church view Technology as a missional strategy?    Does it see technology as a way to empower people and the ministries in the church to reach others… and perhaps even build new ministries based on technology to perform this task? or   Does your church consider the IT Staff as pastors or just a necessary expense?  If your church does not move towards using technology to help introduce others to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ your doing more than just missing the boat…

If your stuck and wish to learn more – visit www.CITRT.org and ask the folks @ the Church IT Round Table …