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Start Here! > What type of challenges do congregations face? |
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Start Here! What type of challenges do congregations face? First, congregations face the challenge of demographic changes in membership. Congregations may be growing older in terms of the average age of the average person in attendance. This is particularly a challenge when more than 25 percent of the people in attendance are 60 or more years old. Second, congregations face the challenge of diversifying ethnically, racially, socio-economically, or in lifestyle, and yet may still be trying to do worship, learning, fellowship, and service by old patterns that fit a former demographic majority. Third, congregations may have passed their years of prime and find themselves passive in spirit and declining in numbers. As an organic, holistic body they are aging. They have lost a sense of visionary direction that formerly fueled their forward progress. Tried and true programs are no longer successful. Fourth, congregations face demographic changes and transitions in their community or context. Changing racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and population density changed and transitions in their community or context may impact their congregation. Fifth, congregations are confronted by shifts from a modern to a postmodern mindset or worldview—as younger, emerging generations approach congregational life with a different set of expectations, worship and learning style preferences, and approaches to discipleship and service. Whatever the reason, the quality and quantity of congregational life may not be what it once was, and the congregation sees that as a challenge to address with proactive, positive action.
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