The Local Church in the Twenty-First Century: Three Articles

Not Caring About Diversity is Not an Option

Trillia Newbell explores why many American churchgoers do not care about diversity.

We don’t need to grow in diversity—our church is fine just the way it is. At least that’s what the majority of churchgoers believe.

Segregation within the Church will remain as long as we are content with the status quo—which we are. According to the findings of a study conducted by LifeWay Research, 67 percent of American churchgoers believe that their church has done enough to become racially diverse. That mentality would be acceptable if the church in America resembled the picture of the Last Days, where every tribe and tongue is gathered to praise in unity…but we’re far from this picture today. Sunday morning remains the most segregated hours in America.

Where does such a disconnect come from? Could it be that those surveyed attend churches that are indeed already racially diverse? Or perhaps the view is that if a church is doing service projects they are achieving racial reconciliation. I’m unsure what motivated the opinions from this particular study but after spending a year speaking with various churches and people around the country, there are a few reoccurring themes I hear that could shine light on why our churches do indeed continue to be segregated. Keep reading

Expressing God’s Love in the Local Church

Scripture teaches us about ourselves, our condition, and our God. God’s love, of course, is a focal point of Scripture and a focal point of our stories of salvation. God’s love is aimed at the individual, yes, but also to the Body of Christ, comprised of his redeemed individuals. The local church is a centralized representative of this body, a body promised to conquer even the gates of Hell (Matt. 16:18).

There are perhaps innumerable ways to describe God’s love in relation to the local church, but here are four significant ways our churches can reflect God’s love properly to each other and the world. Keep reading

Becoming a Generous Church

Our goal is to have healthy churches! There are many descriptions, concepts, books, and trainings talking about what a healthy church looks like. There is “Simple,” “Purpose-Driven,” “Sticky,” Vertical,” “Emotionally Healthy,” and many more. All of these have great content and biblical directives but here is something else we need to ask ourselves, “Are we a generous church?” Isa. 9:6 says, “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Christmas is about giving!

What would happen if your church was known to be a giving church? What would it look like if you were known first and foremost for your generosity? If you really want to know the heart of a church take a look at how they spend their money. This is not about what individuals give to the church, but rather, what does a church do with what they have been given. Quite often most of the funds given to a church are spent on church members. When times are tough, and the budget becomes tight, the last expenditures to normally be reduced are those that keep the members the most comfortable. At the same time, all too often, the first ministries to be cut are those that are outwardly focused. Keep reading