2015 trends: fewer evening services, more congregational singing
“14. …We see the number of U. S. churches offering a Sunday evening service to dip below 5 percent of all churches in America. In other words, this service will become almost extinct.
13. More emphasis on congregational singing. In many of our churches, both traditional and contemporary, you can hardly hear the congregation sing. There will be an increased emphasis on intentionally bringing the congregants into worship through singing.”
Trends 1 to 8 are here.
On one had, the list of 15 trends suggests that people are wanting to attend large services, but trend #1 is Smaller worship gatherings and #3 is that small groups can’t be ignored. They must be incorporated by all. #5 and #6 are about multi-site churches blossoming and having a plurality of teaching elders.
So let me sum this up: people want to attend large churches, but in small groups at a time. They don’t want one main Bible teacher/preacher, they want multiple ones.
What this tells me is people want “buffet-style” Christianity. They want to show up when they want to, do what they want to, and then give their opinions to one another about it.
What is interesting to me is the question of how churches will “emphasize” singing. It strikes me that churches have been doing this really since the Reformation, and that in general the trend is away from participation. What is going to change, if anything?
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
He’s apparently suggesting that the trend toward passive witnessing of “worship” performances has peaked and things are going to move back toward congregational participation. I hope he’s right… though of course, many of us never got on the “just watch the show” bandwagon.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
[Mark_Smith] So let me sum this up: people want to attend large churches, but in small groups at a time. They don’t want one main Bible teacher/preacher, they want multiple ones.What this tells me is people want “buffet-style” Christianity. They want to show up when they want to, do what they want to, and then give their opinions to one another about it.
I’m not entirely sure I agree with your conclusion. No doubt it fits in some instances. But even if it were the dominate mindset I’m not sure that I understand it to be a problem.
Old model: go to SS and Church. Learn from the Word. Go home and discuss it over roast beef.
New model: go to SS and Church. Learn from the Word. Go to the coffee shop and discuss it over latte.
INACIAS
Discussion