1. 11/7/2018
Baptist General Association of Virginia

2. Thinking About The Future
Vienna Baptist Church
Leadership Retreat
Lost River
April 22 & 23, 2016

3. What is going on externally in the culture that is changing?
What do you expect to happen as a result of these changes?
What else could happen instead?
What do you want to see happen?
What are you going to do to make that happen?
Futures Framework

4. External (Disruptive) Changes

5. 6 Marketplace Realities
TIME –
Americans are working more, longer work weeks
Work/life conflicts
80% of families are dual income
Managing technology
Do you think our model is a time intensive one for our volunteer workers and leaders?
6 Marketplace Realities
That did not exist 25 years ago and have irreversibly changed the playing field

6. 6 Marketplace Realities
EXPECTATIONS – Consumerism has infiltrated the church
Members/attenders want to know whether they are making a difference, how is their money being used, how much is going for bricks vs missions/ministry
ROI…in church?
Do you think our model has clearly defined desired end results or measures?
6 Marketplace Realities
That did not exist 25 years ago and have irreversibly changed the playing field

7. 6 Marketplace Realities
CHANGING CHURCH LANDSCAPE - More mega churches, more newer models of church, more mergers, more closures greater diversity = more choices, more competition Are we sufficiently focused in what we are about, and to/with whom?
6 Marketplace Realities
That did not exist 25 years ago and have irreversibly changed the playing field

8. 6 Marketplace Realities
GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES – 1st time in history there are 5 living generations, 4 of them working together with growing differences in needs, preferences, values and types of organizations they associate with. Are we sufficiently attentive to the needs defined by the generational/style differences among our churches?
6 Marketplace Realities
That did not exist 25 years ago and have irreversibly changed the playing field

9. 6 Marketplace Realities
COMPETITION – between churches….ouch but also for people’s time, (traveling sports teams, etc) and where they go for help on spiritual matters. Bricks and mortar vs. online, and mobile apps Do you think we are preserving a conservative, tradition bound nature in our approach among churches?
6 Marketplace Realities
That did not exist 25 years ago and have irreversibly changed the playing field

10. 6 Marketplace Realities
TECHNOLOGY – Internet arrived in early 1990’s, and then grew by 100% annually during the decade. Web 2.0 arrived in 2005 w/ social media. 96% of millennials have joined a social network. How are we doing adapting to the new technical realities? Caught up, lagging, or leading….?
6 Marketplace Realities
That did not exist 25 years ago and have irreversibly changed the playing field

11. 3 D’s
Decline – 11% decline in # of self professing Xians in 20 yrs. “Home field advantage” is largely gone. $, conflict- incidence, & cumulative corrosive effect
Dropouts – 70% of young adults leave, and ½ of them eventually return.
Discipleship – we’ve done better at getting them than growing them…..
Are you aware of indicators of hope in these areas, or still seeing the elephant?

12. External Changes
Of the cultural trends presented, select one that you think will make the most profound impact on the future of the church.
Where will we end up if these trends continue?