What are current trends Definition of the word trend The word trend means an inclination in a particular direction a general direction or a bent toward something ID: 496618
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Slide1Slide2
Defining “Current Trends”
What are “current trends”?
Definition of the word “trend”
The word “trend” means “an inclination in a particular direction, a general direction or a bent toward something.”
Some to the synonyms in our culture for this word include the following
Slide3
Fashion
Drift
Direction
Tendency
Leaning
Inclination
Propensity
Proclivity
Impulse
Trends can be applied to almost any area of life (II Cor. 4:18, NIV).Slide4
The world of nature is changing.
The world of science is changing.
The world of technology is changing.
The world of fashion changes constantly.
The world of politics is changing.
Trends also affect the church.Slide5
Change happens because of natural growth and maturity.
Change happens because of a progressive walk with the Lord.
Change happens because of improvements.
Change happens because the church must adapt to a changing world.
Change happens because God is always pushing the church forward.
The word “current” is a relative term that means “recent, prevailing or
present
.”Slide6
We will be focusing on trends of the 20
th
and the 21
st
Centuries.
We will be looking at trends as they pertain to the
church world
.Slide7
II. Why are trends evident in the church today?
Some trends reflect an
emphasis
that God is highlighting in a certain season.
Some trends represent the
restoration
of a truth that has been lost to the church.
Some trends are aimed at
refreshing
the Church with a fresh breath of air from the Spirit of God.
Some trends are the result of
adjusting methods
to meet the unique demands of a generation or culture.Slide8
What are some of the trend categories in the church world?
Some of the trends that we will reference are
doctrinal
in nature.
Faith
Prosperity
Deliverance/Demonology
Spiritual Warfare
Dominion Theology
Grace
Etc.Slide9
Some of the trends that we will reference deal with
church structure
.
Discipleship/Shepherding
Church Government
Apostles and Prophets
Church Groupings
The Cell Church
Etc.Slide10
C. Some of the trends that we will reference deal with church
methodology
.
Church Growth Movement
Church Marketing
Seeker-Sensitive
User Friendly
Felt Needs
Simple Church
Etc.Slide11
IV. What are the challenges of examining current trends?
Examining and evaluating current trends can be a challenge because of the tension produced by the pressures of the church staying
relevant
. This expresses itself in several ways.
Leaders must balance the tension between biblical
conviction
or principle and method, style,
application
or experience.Slide12
Leaders must balance the pressure to be culturally
relevant
, yet at the same time maintaining a
pure Gospel
and promoting a biblical experience.
Leaders must balance the desire to be open and
sensitive
to what the Spirit might be saying without being careless and gullible to the point of believing
everything
and being blown about by every wind of doctrine.Slide13
Leaders must balance the ability to be
flexible
, adjustable and innovative without compromising the
timeless
, universal and eternal.
Leaders must balance challenge of being discerning,
cautious
and wise without overreacting and becoming
critical
, closed and judgmental.
Leaders must balance ability to incorporate the truth contained in a current trend without losing
perspective
relative to the other truths of the Scripture.Slide14
V. What premises about “change” serve as the basis for our study of current trends?
Premise 1
We are living in a world of change and, therefore, we must have an ability to adapt to that change if we are going to touch the present generation for God.Slide15
A.W.
Tozer
(1897-1963) said, “The immutability of God appears in its most perfect beauty when viewed against the mutability of man. In God no change is possible; in man change is impossible to escape. Neither the man is fixed nor his world, and he and it are in constant change.”Slide16
Alfred Whitehead commented on the church in a 1927 journal, Science and the Modern World saying, “Religion will not regain its old power until it can face change in the same spirit as does science. Its principles may be eternal, but the expression of those principles require continual development.”Slide17
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) stated, “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise to the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.”
We are living in the
world of change
.
The church must have the ability to
adapt to
that change.Slide18
Premise 2
The church has always been characterized by change that is related to the context or environment in which it finds itself.
If the context of the church is persecution, tolerance or freedom, the church
can adapt
its forms.Slide19
If the context of the church is Eastern, Western or Third World, the church
can adapt
its forms to become all things to all men.
If the context of the church is the 1
st
Century or the 21
st
Century, the church has the power to be relevant, prophetic and to meet the needs of the world in which
it exists
.Slide20