Church Leadership Challenges In The Twenty First Century

The twenty-first century consists of an ever-evolving diverse population (multiculturally, internationally, racially, and sexually) whose ideas and beliefs are as diverse as the population itself. This has caused the church to face challenges she has never faced before. There was a time when Christians were a majority in this country and were free to speak about Jesus, prayer, or sin without fearing repercussions. However, the twenty-first century has ushered in a paradigm shift toward something called "un-Christian" and "tolerance" culture. This new "pluralistic" culture is one where everything is tolerated/accepted, with one exception: Christianity. Church attendance is declining, and fewer people understand scripture or know anything about Jesus. Therefore, their belief systems do not align with scripture. Church leaders must step out of the "church bubble," face today's world, and plan how they will meet these challenges. In this book, the author discusses the following twelve major challenges confronting twenty-first-century church leaders as well as some strategies for meeting these challenges and reversing negativity: un-Christian phenomenon, blending the generational groups, religious pluralism vs. exclusivism, open theism vs. classical theism, gender-neutral Bible controversy, egalitarianism vs. complementarianism, LGBTQ conversation, postmodernism and religion, futurism vs. preterism, biblical illiteracy in the church, the need for racial reconciliation, and continual disintegration of American families.

The global Church in the 21st Century is confronted by a challenge as it enters the new critical hour in the spirit. Quality and sustainable leadership that reveres and honor godly values is slowly diminishing in the Church. This is due to falsity, compromise, greed and corruption that had subtly crept into the hearts of some of the Leaders or Shepherds. Subsequently God's people become susceptible to the enemy's attacks and plunder, thus never attaining to their full growth and potential in Jesus Christ. This is that season where the leaders need to undergo a new leadership and structural adjustments, so as to position the Church to perform her end-time great exploits for the season. God is therefore placing a heavenly demand upon the quality of Church leadership and the definition of the Church globally. God also wants to see a new quality breed of Christians that will emerge in this last day. Christians, that will cause an irrevocable impact to the kingdom of darkness. Its not quantity but quality that God seeks. Through this book the Father is exposing, redressing and blessing the Church with strategies for breakthrough.

A collection of five pictures which address issues and challenges pertinent (but not exclusively so) to the Black Majority Church in the UK. They sharpen understanding of the way the BM have come to do church, and also challenge whether the vision is to maintain the status quo or be a prophetic church.

There is nothing traditional about the typical family of the twenty-first century, and so it follows that ministering to today's families presents an assortment of new challenges. Rainey believes that the resources needed by the church to confront and combat family problems do exist, and Ministering to Twenty-First Century Families is a user-friendly guide to combating the destruction of the family unit. Offering practical solutions and encouraging action, Rainey calls for a "roll-up-your-sleeves" approach to healing weary families.

This book provides an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of Eastern Christian churches in Europe, the Middle East, America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Written by leading international scholars in the field, it examines both Orthodox and Oriental churches from the end of the Cold War up to the present day. The book offers a unique insight into the myriad church-state relations in Eastern Christianity and tackles contemporary concerns, opportunities and challenges, such as religious revival after the fall of communism; churches and democracy; relations between Orthodox, Catholic and Greek Catholic churches; religious education and monastic life; the size and structure of congregations; and the impact of migration, secularisation and globalisation on Eastern Christianity in the twenty-first century.

Offering timely, relevant analysis of trends and issues, the essays in this collection address questions and concerns that will determine the shape and direction of the denomination in the next century. These essays cover policy issues and current events considerations that Russell Richey says "emerged as a priority" in sponsored conferences of the United Methodism and American Culture Project. Policy issues addressed include music, evangelism, contextual theology, urban losses, electronics & media, lay leadership roles and growth, bishopric election and leadership, the discipline of local churches, church finance, clergy compensation, and others. Contributors include Garlinda Burton, Dennis Campbell, Jackson Carroll, Ken Chalker, Meghan Froehlich, Frederick Herzog, Sarah Kreutziger, Andy Langford, William Lawrence, Priscilla Pope-Levison, Russell Richey, Kenneth Rowe, and Carol Voisin.

Where is Pentecostal theology going in the 21st century? How does it address issues of spirituality, politics and justice? What does it have to offer the worldwide Church? These and other vital questions are explored here by leading Pentecostal theologians from the UK and the USA as they assess the challenges and opportunities facing Pentecostalism today. With stimulating contributions by Joel Edwards, Charlotte Johnson, Steven Land, Douglas Nelson, Phyllis Thompson and Keith Warrington, this book offers valuable guidance to church leaders and to students training for the ministry throughout the Pentecostal world. ‘There is passion and information here, advice for the present and hope for the future.’ William K. Kay, Institute for Pentecostal Theology, Regents Theological College ‘When we consider that one in four Christians are Pentecostals, this book is a “must” for all who are seeking to improve their knowledge of Pentecostal theology and recognize its distinctives.’ Bishop Dr Donald Bolt, New Testament Church of God England and Wales