MOUNT CALVARY HOLY CHURCH OF AMERICA STRONG CHURCH

MOUNT CALVARY HOLY CHURCH OF AMERICA STRONG CHURCH CONFERENCE 2018 “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population” BISHOP HERBERT C. CRUMP, JR. Hcrump@ftmrockhill. org @Bishop. Herb. Crump

STRONG CHURCH VISION The Vision of the STRONG CHURCH Conference is to provide practical tools to strengthen local churches of any size. Pastors, leaders, and laypersons attending the conference will receive hands-on training in relevant areas of ministry necessary to build, develop, and sustain a strong and healthy church. The Focus of the STRONG CHURCH Conference is not the SIZE of the church, but rather, the STRENGTH of the church. The goal is not necessarily to teach churches how to grow BIG, but more importantly, how to grow STRONG. “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”

STRONG CHURCH CONFERENCE 2018 “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population” The purpose of this presentation is to identify a few of the most currently pressing ministry challenges that church leaders are facing in dealing with the digital age movement and the way in which people communicate and participate in ministry. “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”

LEARNING OBJECTIVES To Identify Common Ministry Challenges Facing Today’s Church To Learn How To Remain Relevant in a Constantly Changing Culture To Learn Proactive Measures in Addressing Ministry Challenges. “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”

Common Ministry Challenges Facing Today’s Church ØShowing up! (Time) ØStepping up! (Talents) ØSowing up! (Treasure) “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”

SHOWING UP! CHURCH ATTENDANCE According to both Barna Group and Pew Research, polls indicate church attendance in America has been on a constant and consistent decline. Regardless of race, gender, or age, individuals have been placed in one of the following three categories: CHURCHED: (very active) have attended a church service in the past seven days, not including weddings or funerals. 38% UN-CHURCHED: (non active) have not attended a church service in the past six months, not including weddings or funerals. 43% DE-CHURCHED: (formerly either very, somewhat, or minimally active) have not attended a church service in the past six months, excluding weddings or funerals. 34% “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”

STEPPING UP! CHURCH INVOLVEMENT As a result of a decline in church attendance, the burden of supporting and sustaining the ministry has been placed on the “faithful few. ” “The Pareto Principle” (The 80/20 Rule) (Vilfredo Pareto) 80% of the work is being completed by only 20% of the team. Workers: Those who are actively committed to offering their talents to the ministry in an effort to fulfill the vision/mission of the ministry. Watchers: Those who faithfully attend and enjoy worship while choosing not to offer their talents to support the continued success of the ministry. Wishers: Those who faithfully attend and enjoy worship, choosing not to offer their talents yet desire the ministry to offer more opportunities for worship and fellowship. “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”

SOWING UP! CHURCH INVESTMENT The motivation to support the church (financially) has changed according to each generation’s motivation to attend church and their perception of the church. According to Barna Group research, generational motivation for supporting the church financially falls under the following two categories: Elders/Boomers: Support the church financially based on “Priority” Generation. X-Millennials: Support the church financially based on “Purpose” “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”

Remaining Relevant in a Constantly Changing Culture 5 Keys to Remaining Relevant: 1. Modernize your ministry methods, while maintaining the gospel message 2. Intentionally incorporate the use of technology in ministry. 3. Constantly evaluate your schedule of ministry 4. Create opportunities to train and install new leaders in the ministry 5. Always remember “Fellowship” is just as important as “Worship” “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”

Proactive Measures in Addressing Ministry Challenges Helpful Hints for A Challenge Ready Church: 1. Remember this is the Lord’s Church, not yours. 2. Explore reality beyond your familiar circle of ministry. 3. Personally prepare for what’s “Next” in ministry. 4. Constantly share the mission/vision of the ministry. 5. Create a process to move people from community to the core. 6. Keep lines of communication open between the pulpit and the pew. 7. Know when to pass the ministry baton. 8. Every ministry leader should have a personal counselor. “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”

REFERENCES “ 11 Traits of Churches That Will Impact the Future. ” Carey. Nieuwhof. com, 18 Feb. 2017, careynieuwhof. com/11 -traits-of-churches-that-will-impact-thefuture/. “Church Attendance Trends Around the Country. ” Barna Group, www. barna. com/research/church-attendance-trends-around-country/. Costello, Thomas. "9 important church statistics for 2017. " Reach right. . (2017): . Web. <https: //reachrightstudios. com/9 -important-church-statistics 2017/>. Duvall, Jordan. “ 3 Important Church Attendance Statistics & What They Mean For The Modern Church. ” Stretch Internet, 19 Sept. 2016, stretchinternet. com/church-attendance-statistics-trends-what-they-mean-for -modern-church/. “Generations & Generosity: How Age Affects Giving. ” Barna Group, www. barna. com/research/generations-generosity-age-affects-giving/. “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”

REFERENCES (CONTINUED) Kelly, Lena. “How to Keep Your Church Relevant in the 21 st Century. ” Box. Cast, 7 May 2015, www. boxcast. com/blog/how-to-keep-your-church-relevant-in-the-21 stcentury. Nieuwhof, Carey. "6 disruptive church trends that will rule 2017. ". . (2017): . Web. <https: //careynieuwhof. com/6 -disruptive-church-trends-that-will-rule-2017/>. “Pastors and Parishioners Differ on Generosity. ” Barna Group, www. barna. com/research/pastors-parishioners-differ-generosity/. Reh, F. John. “Pareto's Principle: How the 80/20 Rule Can Help Improve Performance. ” The Balance, www. thebalance. com/pareto-s-principle-the-80 -20 rule-2275148. Stetzer, Ed, et al. “Engaging an Ever-Changing Culture With a Never-Changing Gospel. ” The Exchange | A Blog by Ed Stetzer, www. christianitytoday. com/edstetzer/2014/june/avoiding-church-culturependulum-swings-engaging-ever-chang. html. WARREN, RICK. PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH. 1995. “Relevant Ministry Challenges in Serving Today’s Church Population”