Tucson Mountain Baptist Church

“Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined”. Matt. 9:17 Meaning Jesus brings a Newness that cannot be confined within the old forms.
Lyle Schaller a church growth consultant, wrote, “The expectations of people in the church change from decade to decade and those expectations influence the definition and direction and the functions of the church
It was said of The sons of Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12:32: “They understood the times and they knew what to do.”

DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO MINISTRY

1. 21ST CENTURY churches offer multiple options in programs and ministries. Our culture provides an almost unlimited number of choices in every area of life. Yet some churches are still offering the same basic programs they were 40 to 50 years ago. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1st Cor. 12:4-7

2. 21ST CENTURY churches have a high degree of self-identity. They have a clearly defined purpose and statement. They collectively understand why they exist, what the churches’ purpose is and where they are headed.
3. 21ST CENTURY churches develop networks of small groups. Many people are looking for close personal relationships. Beneath all these functions is the deeper purpose of providing and developing close fellowship between all its members.
4. 21ST CENTURY churches are oriented and look foward to the future. Rather than basking in yesterday’s victories, and reviewing history, they now want to make history. “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jer. 29:11 Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Phil. 3:13b
5. 21ST CENTURY churches are creative and flexible in their programming. They program to best meet the need of their own congregations and surrounding communities. The question becomes “Is this the most effective way to minister today.” Any program is only used as long as it’s useful and productive.

6. 21ST CENTURY churches strive for excellence in worship and study. Media entertainment has raised the expectation level of people so high that many churches often look mediocre by comparison. The goal is to improve some facet of their services every week.
7. 21ST CENTURY churches recognize the necessity of a Single Adult ministry. A church will not effectively minister to its community without a Single Adult ministry.
8. 21ST CENTURY churches offer quality children’s ministries. Time magazine stated it bluntly; “Todays parents, can be almost obsessive about their children. In other words, they demand quality facilities and care for their children when they bring them to church. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 19:14 “And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea”. Matt. 18: 5-6
9. 21ST CENTURY churches mobilize the body for ministry. They emphasize the ministry of every believer and encourage their members to discover, develop and use their spiritual gifts.
10. 21ST CENTURY churches equip their members to do personal Bible study. We have been programmed to ask questions – particularly why and how? These churches are teaching their members how to study the Bible for themselves, using some of the same tools that pastors were taught to use in the seminary.
11. 21ST CENTURY churches emphasize stewardship education rather than stewardship promotion. By far the greatest complaint the unchurched have against churches is their appeal for money. We need to teach people to give because they ought to want to give not because the church needs the money.
12. 21ST CENTURY churches often provide daycare or after school care for children. Today most couples need two incomes just to make ends meet. So a day care ministry is needed and very popular for these individuals and families.
13. 21ST CENTURY churches are open to the person and work of the Holy Spirit. There’s a willingness to see God’s Spirit work in miraculous ways in praying and believing the answer to those prayers.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts1:8
DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO EVANGELISM. 14. 21ST CENTURY churches have clearly defined evangelistic targets. Realizing that no church can appeal to everybody, they don’t try to. Often these churches will have a profile of the typical unchurched person in their geographical area and they use local demographics in determining who they can best reach.
15. 21ST CENTURY churches work at making the church timelier. Today, churches usually offer earlier services on Sunday. Some churches even offer Saturday evening services.
16. 21ST CENTURY churches create a more casual informal atmosphere. Everything is engineered to make the guest and members feel at home after all this place is said to be the sanctuary, a place of security, calm and rest.
17. 21ST CENTURY churches focus on solving the here and now problems. Television has conditioned people to expect quick, simple solutions to their problems. When they attend church they want to hear messages that gets to the point and provides practical action steps.
18. 21ST CENTURY churches promote active involvement in global missions. Rather than limiting mission awareness to a study or an annual emphasis, churches involve their members directly in missions through short-term projects. And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
19. 21ST CENTURY churches draw from relationships rather than geographic proximity to their physical buildings. Many people will drive past dozens of other churches in order to attend a church where they feel their needs are being met.
20. 21ST CENTURY churches tend to use more contemporary styles of music. This is one of the most obvious differences in the 21st Century churches. Most of the songs are being sung directly to God rather than just about God.
21. 21ST CENTURY churches offer more practical, positive, and personal, preaching. Sermons include emphasis on personal application of Biblical principles in everyday life. Revealing what God says about personal issues like stress, family, finances, relationships, emotional and physical health, careers etc. All pointing to the need for a Savior and new spiritual life. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28
22. 21ST CENTURY churches use the power of mass media in attracting attenders. They use radio, television –advertising, websites, Facebook, YouTube, and other forms of communication common today. The underlying theme in all of these approaches is a willingness to use whatever methods work best without compromising the message of God or the integrity of the church.
DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO ORGANIZATION. 23. 21ST CENTURY churches operate with a simple structure. They operate with a simpler structure, with less time spent on meetings and maintaining an organization and more time spent on actually doing ministry and missions.
24. 21ST CENTURY churches are organized more like a family than a corporation. They operate more on the basis of relationships and trust in the leadership and each other than by rules and regulations and policies.
25. 21ST CENTURY church pastors lead by their vision and example rather any power of their position. Most people gravitate towards genuineness, competence, and personal integrity. Above all else, what this generation seems to yearn for most is that which it has lost – Moral Leadership.” Not domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. 1st Peter 5:3

26. 21ST CENTURY churches often allow attenders to get involved in ministry even before they become official members. There is a resistance to joining things today. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2nd Cor. 5:18

27. 21ST CENTURY churches recognize the limited amount of discretionary time that their members have. Seventy percent of women are in the labor force today. Because both husband and wife are working, individuals and couples may have little or limited free time to volunteer.
Daniel 2:20-22 “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.