Standing on the steps of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Hall in 1980, Graham asked his audience a pivotal question: How do we equip the church to meet this moment?
As I look ahead to the next decade, I see three key trends shaping church outreach. If you’re a ministry leader, you’ve likely already felt their impact—each one bringing both challenges and opportunities. How we respond today will shape the future of evangelism. Let’s explore and engage these trends together.
Church of Nigeria Declares Canterbury Appointment a ‘Double Jeopardy’ Over Doctrinal Concerns
In a formal response made available to ACNN through the office of the Communications officer of the Church, Mr Korede Akintunde, dated Monday, October 6, 2025, the Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, who personally signed the letter characterized the news of the appointment as “a devastating one that ignores the current situation and challenges being faced by the Anglican Communion.”
Mullally’s appointment is a landmark moment in a broader trend of women’s presence becoming gradually stronger in her denomination.
Traditionalist Anglicans should consider leaving the Church of England, says pastor
Traditionalist Anglicans should consider leaving the Church of England after the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the global Anglican Communion, a pastor has suggested.
The two main objections to Mullally are that her appointment contravenes the principle of male leadership and that she takes a liberal view on issues such as sexuality.
Thousands of churches expected to close in UK over next 5 years: study
Thousands of churches across the United Kingdom are at risk of shutting down over the next five years, according to the findings of a new survey that point to a continuing decline in church viability driven by financial strain, location and denominational pressures.
SBC Cooperative Program giving declines yet again
The total given in the year just ended is nearly $10 million less than that high point, a 5% drop in three years.
In Chicago, clergy and faith-based protesters say ICE is threatening their religious freedom
Despite potential danger, religious leaders and faith activists have been a visible presence at Chicago-area ICE protests, some waving signs with slogans such as ‘Love thy neighbor’ and ‘Who would Jesus deport?’
Disproportionate Fear
Moral panics intensify social divisions and can lead to political violence.
3 Ways Your Church Might Be Burying the Gospel
We (often unwittingly) bury the gospel in our churches and then complain that our churches don’t have the resources to reach the world.
Why So Much Pushback Against Church Growth?
The church growth movement is winding down. It’s time to ask some tough, but fair and necessary questions.
Beyond replication: The essential contextuality of Fresh Expressions
As I look ahead to the next decade, I see three key trends shaping church outreach. If you’re a ministry leader, you’ve likely already felt their impact—each one bringing both challenges and opportunities. How we respond today will shape the future of evangelism. Let’s explore and engage these trends together.
Church of Nigeria Declares Canterbury Appointment a ‘Double Jeopardy’ Over Doctrinal Concerns
In a formal response made available to ACNN through the office of the Communications officer of the Church, Mr Korede Akintunde, dated Monday, October 6, 2025, the Most Revd Henry C. Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, who personally signed the letter characterized the news of the appointment as “a devastating one that ignores the current situation and challenges being faced by the Anglican Communion.”
Also See: Church of Nigeria Launches 15 New DiocesesA woman as archbishop of Canterbury will come at a cost. She may also bring more welcome change.
Mullally’s appointment is a landmark moment in a broader trend of women’s presence becoming gradually stronger in her denomination.
Traditionalist Anglicans should consider leaving the Church of England, says pastor
Traditionalist Anglicans should consider leaving the Church of England after the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the next Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the global Anglican Communion, a pastor has suggested.
The two main objections to Mullally are that her appointment contravenes the principle of male leadership and that she takes a liberal view on issues such as sexuality.
Thousands of churches expected to close in UK over next 5 years: study
Thousands of churches across the United Kingdom are at risk of shutting down over the next five years, according to the findings of a new survey that point to a continuing decline in church viability driven by financial strain, location and denominational pressures.
SBC Cooperative Program giving declines yet again
The total given in the year just ended is nearly $10 million less than that high point, a 5% drop in three years.
In Chicago, clergy and faith-based protesters say ICE is threatening their religious freedom
Despite potential danger, religious leaders and faith activists have been a visible presence at Chicago-area ICE protests, some waving signs with slogans such as ‘Love thy neighbor’ and ‘Who would Jesus deport?’
Disproportionate Fear
Moral panics intensify social divisions and can lead to political violence.
3 Ways Your Church Might Be Burying the Gospel
We (often unwittingly) bury the gospel in our churches and then complain that our churches don’t have the resources to reach the world.
Why So Much Pushback Against Church Growth?
The church growth movement is winding down. It’s time to ask some tough, but fair and necessary questions.
Beyond replication: The essential contextuality of Fresh Expressions
We are at an exciting time for the church and specifically the UMC as new and exciting ministries are popping up all over! The "Fresh Expressions" movement has ignited a spark of creativity and innovation within the church, prompting communities to explore new ways of being the body of Christ. It seems like the only limit to where God is leading ministry is that of our imaginations. However, as churches are popping up in burrito restaurants, tattoo parlors, and dinners, the crucial element of profound contextuality of these expressions is often overlooked. What thrives in one neighborhood and one context may (and often likely will) wither in another, underscoring the necessity of deep discernment over mere replication.
My mother enjoyed Jan Karon's Mitford novels and recommended them to me. She was a retired school teacher, an avid reader, a longtime parishioner of Christ Episcopal Church in Covington, Louisiana, a member of the chancel choir, and operator of the church's bookstore and gift shop. She recognized a good book when she read one. I acquired my own love of books and reading from her.
Spiritual warfare: who is the enemy and how do we overcome him through Christ?
For many of us, the spiritual realm feels distant—something mysterious and unseen, filled with questions we can’t fully answer. Yet one truth remains beyond doubt: there is a God who reigns in light, and there is also a force of darkness determined to oppose His will. That force is led by Satan, alongside his followers, fallen angels - together forming what Scripture calls the enemy.
Christmas Preparation for Pastors – 7 Tips
As the Christmas season approaches, pastors everywhere are stepping into a sacred opportunity. While Easter remains the cornerstone of our faith, in terms of reaching unchurched people, many pastors now see that Christmas is the new Easter, which means focused Christmas preparation for pastors Yes, I’ve said it before: “Christmas is the new Easter.” I say that more often in staff meetings than from the pulpit—because it needs some explanation.
New research has found that digitally included older adults—that is, those capable of using the Internet and digital communication methods—have better cognitive functioning than their digitally excluded peers, who are not capable of using modern means of communication. The digitally excluded older adults also tended to have more severe depressive symptoms. The paper was published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
If you need more leaders and even people just to help in your church, you are in good company these days. With low attendance numbers dragging on into the third year since COVID began, the leadership deficit in most churches is bigger than it’s ever been. Small groups are a great catalyst for growing leaders.
Navigating Generational Differences in Small Groups: Bridging Gaps Between Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z
Small groups are meant to be places of connection, discipleship, and growth. Yet if you’ve ever sat in a living room circle where Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z are all present, you know the challenges that can arise. What feels natural to one generation may feel awkward or unnecessary to another. The good news is that when handled with grace, generational differences in small groups can actually become a source of strength rather than division.
The “What” and “How” of Spiritual Rhythms
Spiritual rhythms are essential if we and the people we lead want to move forward spiritually. For true disciple-making to occur, we must commit ourselves to the ongoing and habitual practices of prayer, daily devotion, sacrificial generosity, worship, service, and more. Though most Christians agree with that necessity, comparatively few of them intentionally incorporate these rhythms into their lives with consistency. We are too busy, too committed, too tired, or too complacent to do so it seems.
This is a primary challenge in modern congregational engagement.
Watch your language
The New York Times knows that profane language matters—and so should we.
9 Christmas Church Outreach Reminders
Christmas is always a busy, exciting time for churches. Most of us know these realities, but I’m convinced we increasingly need these Christmas outreach [reminders] as we enter this season.
This observation is also true of more conventional new church plants: what works in one community may not work in another.Find Meaningful Community in Jan Karon’s Mitford
My mother enjoyed Jan Karon's Mitford novels and recommended them to me. She was a retired school teacher, an avid reader, a longtime parishioner of Christ Episcopal Church in Covington, Louisiana, a member of the chancel choir, and operator of the church's bookstore and gift shop. She recognized a good book when she read one. I acquired my own love of books and reading from her.
Spiritual warfare: who is the enemy and how do we overcome him through Christ?
For many of us, the spiritual realm feels distant—something mysterious and unseen, filled with questions we can’t fully answer. Yet one truth remains beyond doubt: there is a God who reigns in light, and there is also a force of darkness determined to oppose His will. That force is led by Satan, alongside his followers, fallen angels - together forming what Scripture calls the enemy.
Christmas Preparation for Pastors – 7 Tips
As the Christmas season approaches, pastors everywhere are stepping into a sacred opportunity. While Easter remains the cornerstone of our faith, in terms of reaching unchurched people, many pastors now see that Christmas is the new Easter, which means focused Christmas preparation for pastors Yes, I’ve said it before: “Christmas is the new Easter.” I say that more often in staff meetings than from the pulpit—because it needs some explanation.
Members of the community who are not regular churchgoers or rarely if ever atted church service at all are more likely to attend a Christmas Service tha they are an Easter Service.Internet use is linked to better cognitive health in older adults
New research has found that digitally included older adults—that is, those capable of using the Internet and digital communication methods—have better cognitive functioning than their digitally excluded peers, who are not capable of using modern means of communication. The digitally excluded older adults also tended to have more severe depressive symptoms. The paper was published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
This article set me to thinking about how churches could help older adults to learn how to use the Internet and digital communication methods.Small Groups are a Leadership Development Factory
If you need more leaders and even people just to help in your church, you are in good company these days. With low attendance numbers dragging on into the third year since COVID began, the leadership deficit in most churches is bigger than it’s ever been. Small groups are a great catalyst for growing leaders.
Navigating Generational Differences in Small Groups: Bridging Gaps Between Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z
Small groups are meant to be places of connection, discipleship, and growth. Yet if you’ve ever sat in a living room circle where Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z are all present, you know the challenges that can arise. What feels natural to one generation may feel awkward or unnecessary to another. The good news is that when handled with grace, generational differences in small groups can actually become a source of strength rather than division.
The “What” and “How” of Spiritual Rhythms
Spiritual rhythms are essential if we and the people we lead want to move forward spiritually. For true disciple-making to occur, we must commit ourselves to the ongoing and habitual practices of prayer, daily devotion, sacrificial generosity, worship, service, and more. Though most Christians agree with that necessity, comparatively few of them intentionally incorporate these rhythms into their lives with consistency. We are too busy, too committed, too tired, or too complacent to do so it seems.
This is a primary challenge in modern congregational engagement.
Watch your language
The New York Times knows that profane language matters—and so should we.
9 Christmas Church Outreach Reminders
Christmas is always a busy, exciting time for churches. Most of us know these realities, but I’m convinced we increasingly need these Christmas outreach [reminders] as we enter this season.
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