I’ve been giving a lot of thought recently about what ministry will look like in America in the years to come, and how that should impact how we train church leaders. It’s one of the most important times in the history of the Church to be a ministry leader, but also one of the most challenging. Simply put, the game is changing, and it’s changing faster than we can keep up. 

A recent study by LifeWay showed that only 36 percent of Americans believe the Bible is true, and only 10 percent say they’ve read the whole Bible. Fewer and fewer people possess anything resembling a biblical worldview, meaning ministry leaders are increasingly speaking a totally different language than those we live among.

Truth is a touchy subject, and everything seems up for debate, even the most basic elements of human existence, such as gender. A recent article on CNN.com highlighted a baby in Canada as the first to be born without documented gender identification.

The parent could tell right away the gender of the baby, but simply said it is no longer a concrete issue. According to the parent's way of thinking, the child should grow up with the right to choose if he or she is a boy or a girl. This is basically the same as saying the sky has been blue since the beginning of time, but now we think it should be red, so it is.

Holy Spirit Anointing for Challenging Times

The Church finds itself facing many startling and complex issues. Each issue seems to morph and mutate in the middle of the debate, almost like a virus. Once you think you have a handle on an answer, the question keeps getting changed.

I confess, at times I feel totally inadequate to speak to the issues and make any sort of significant contribution. And the truth is I am inadequate.

However, I believe the same Holy Spirit who anointed leaders to speak truth in the period of the judges when all the people did what was right in their own eyes, and who led the apostles to deal with the heresies of their day, will guide this generation of ministry leaders to confront the issues of our time.

We do however need to be honest about the fact that we are facing issues beyond the scope of what a cleverly titled four-week sermon series can handle. As I think about what ministry will need to look like in the years to come, three outcomes stand out if the Church is to maintain its prophetic voice in society and win people to Christ.

1. Relevant Presentation of the Gospel to Children

Reaching tomorrow’s generation starts with today’s children. We can no longer wait to see if our churches are ready for what’s coming. We need to begin right now before these kids reach adulthood. Statistics have been clear for sometime now that it is exceedingly more difficult to reach unsaved adults than it is to catch them while their young.

Once you think you have a handle on an answer, the question keeps getting changed.

Children’s ministry needs to go beyond simply hiring someone to babysit for an hour-and-a-half on Sunday morning. It needs to involve reaching children with as much passion and fire as ever before. The stakes are too high!

The first step is to teach children the gospel message. Be very clear about it. Treat them as you would a mission field. Children are ready to receive. And they are also ready to worship. Don’t think that because of their ages, boys and girls can’t experience the Holy Spirit. In fact, they’re probably more sensitive to Him than many adults.

But to accomplish this, we can’t do the same things we’ve always done. We need relevant approaches to reaching children. Get on their level, find out what children are involved in and partner with parents to make that Sunday morning experience the best it can be. We have an entire generation of kids who are used to having entertainment at their fingertips. Find ways to get beyond the noise to the hearts of children and you can impact the rest of their lives.

2. Systematic Discipleship for Every Believer

The only way to meet the challenges of a changing society are to be with people each step of the way. Simply saying, “Read your Bible and pray about it,” is not good enough. People need systematic help in answering serious faith questions.

The reason so many believers doubt the authenticity of the Bible is due in large part to the lack of systematic discipleship in their lives. If your church has a discipleship pathway, a way to bring every believer from Point A towards a lifestyle of Christ-likeness, then you are preparing them for the hard questions of faith that surely lay ahead. A church that is ready for the next generation will be preparing believers today.

3. Authentic Biblical Preaching Weekly

I’m all for topical sermons, messages that address timely concerns and even eye-catching graphics, design and sermon themes. But nothing can replace the timeless act of preaching Scripture week in and week out.

Jesus Christ came to this earth to bring about a new covenant with mankind. He didn’t do it through the latest philosophical arguments, mystical acts or feats of power. Instead, Jesus pointed to Scripture. By teaching the Bible day in and day out, He led a group of believers into a new covenant and beyond that lasts to this day.

During the most turbulent times in the history of the Church, believers have returned to the Bible. Whether it was the Reformation in Europe or the Great Awakenings here in America, mighty moves of the Holy Spirit have always been accompanied by the act of biblical preaching.

Pastor, you have one job and one responsibility on Sunday morning: preach the truth of Scripture. Never let the relevant references that hook an audience be the headline. Always be ready to preach the Bible.

The challenge is great, but I know my God is greater! We can be ready for the next generation. I can’t wait to see how the Holy Spirit uses you and others just like you to turn our world around.