Free Methodists

1. 21st century Free Methodists

2. Free Methodists 21st Century

3. 21st Century Free Methodists GLOBAL TRENDS FUTURE RESPONSE

4. Future Shock? • The prudent see danger and take refuge. The simple keep going and suffer for it.” Prov. 27.12 (Solomon) • “Trying to predict the future is like driving down a country road at night with the lights off looking into the rear view mirror.” Peter Drucker. • “Do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6.34 (Jesus)

5. Seven Global Trends • More people. • Changing family. • Pluralism rules. • Time valued. • Resources diminish. • Religious shifts. • Technology transforms.

6. More people Trend Response Plant new churches Connect with youth Love the elderly • 2000 – 6.6 billion • 2060 – 10 billion • Increase in elderly • Urbanization

7. Changing family Trend Response Patient with diversity Model healthy family Minister to singles Provide loving teaching on healthy sexuality • ¼ families traditional • Fastest growing household is single • Marriage decreasing • Alternatives accepted

8. Pluralism rules Trend Response Respect other faiths (does not mean accept) Increase biblical literacy Use symbol, art, story, drama to communicate Be such a blessing to community that danger disbelieved • Multiple paths to heaven or faithfulness • 47% evangelicals believe Jesus is the way, truth, life. • Unique religious view viewed as dangerous

9. Time valued Trend Response Limit church “busy-ness” Help families and singles recreate together • Increasingly Americans want family time. • Increasingly Americans want self-development and recreation. • … may be irrelevant with potential economic collapse…

10. Resources diminish Trend Response Lead the way in good stewardship Simple lifestyle • “Go green” more than buzzword • Global dust-bowls • Water becomes most precious commodity

11. Religious shifts Trend Response Love Muslims (and Buddhists and Wiccans) Be missional about growth – birth rates won’t do it. Be open to non-white, non Euro/American leaders – let the Spirit lead. • Islam grows dominant • 1970 – 700, 90, 1.2 bil; 2025 – 2 billion (40% growth) • Christians 2.6 now, 2025 - 3 billion (15% growth) • South leads church • 60% non-white, non-US/Europe

12. Religious shifts (part 2) Trend Response Relational faith critical New models of church Fully engage spirituality Be more Christian than politician Restore credibility through true contribution • American increasingly irreligious • 1% annual decline since 1990 • Wicca doubles every 30 months • Fastest growing demographic is no-religion/agnostic/atheist • Spiritual practices increasing • All time low trust in church (45%) – and clergy (66%/45%)

13. Technology transforms Trend Response Embrace technology Social networking necessary Web presence or die Connect with community Stop forwarding rumours Resist technology Teach & live Sabbath–unplug! Major on small groups Don’t get sucked in! Learn and teach tech boundaries. • 90% of all innovations occur since 1984 • Digital communities trump human connection • Command-Control out: knowledge-based, em-powered grass roots in • Information NOW

14. Eternal Response LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND, SOUL AND STRENGTH AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. (Lk.10.27) GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. TEACH THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. (Mthw.28.19,20)