Several years ago, I went to a New Year’s conference hosted by Larry Randolph and his message was about the shift in the church from a business model of top down leadership to a family model of relationship. This is exactly what I wrote in Epic Earth where God the Father’s main emphasis is family. Bob Jones was there and he kept saying “My Daddy is a Family man”.

 

They saw the church growing stronger so that her love translates into legal authority on earth. Here are some of my thoughts…:

 

I see the church structure changing significantly and out of necessity, because the people themselves are changing. Individuals are simplifying to survive economically and in the process we are learning the value of family and relationships. This means we will continue to move away from a materialistic / commercial mindset and toward a family / relationship model. This shift in values will cause us to seek church families that are like-minded.

 

As our lifestyles change, so must our local church. We will look for characteristics such as humility, sense of family and effective missions. I believe that charitable giving is going to increase in some places. Out of our own struggles we will have more empathy and appreciate the value of coming together with our resources to achieve important mandates. The love of God the Father for all His children will begin to take hold of us, and we will give freely and volunteer freely when we know it is having a measurable impact on our world. This is good news; however it can be bad news for ineffective organizations.

 

 

Right now there is a new generation of “missionary/minister” emerging. These people are creative thinkers and problem solvers. They are relevant and entrepreneurial. They will excel in the days ahead.

 

 

These next few years will be filled with sifting and shifting. Over and over again we will see top heavy and ineffective structures re-tool themselves or fail. This includes secular and spiritual. The old model of giving out of fear or guilt is over. More and more we will give out of joy and with a sense of belonging. This is the family model of giving.

 

 

I see promising changes with young people. They are seeking a spiritual reality that gives them meaning. They are not interested in joining a “sect” of homogenous people who all have the same oddities and mannerisms. In the natural, if a family engages in extreme in-breeding, the generations begin to look odd and are more prone to genetic weakness. No healthy person thinks this is a good thing. Yet, in religion, people tend to cloister together in tight circles and take on the characteristics of one another. To the outside world it can look like a freak show. Is it any wonder that our young people are not interested in joining us? The hallmark of a healthy family is growth of individuality. Each person is loved and encouraged to be authentic and find their unique gifts. With my own children, I love their unique personalities and ways of expressing themselves. They bring wonderment and joy into my world. They keep me flexible and humble.

 

 

These next few years will change the face of the church. We will reject fear in every area. No longer will we hold ourselves down or back because we are waiting for someone to acknowledge or promote us. No longer will we believe the lie that we are not as important as others or that our contribution is negligible. The fact is we are supremely important to God the Father and He is going to make sure we understand that.

 

We are becoming authentic people who congregate with joy and give generously to other authentic people. We are on the brink of a level of maturity that rules. In God’s kingdom, a ruler is a son who loves. When he finds injustice and pain, he explodes with brilliant solutions. He knows that he cannot force anyone to love his Father God, but he also knows that the favor upon him will compel many into the family.