Into The Future.

Book Review

Towns, Elmer. Bird, Warren. Into the Future. Turning today’s church trends into tomorrow’s opportunities. Fleming H. Revell. 2000
E.T.-cofounder of Liberty University, dean of School of Religion.
W.B.- church consultant, researcher, editor.

Comment. Henry
When a book that speaks about the future is almost ten years old the future that is talked about is already history. In spite of that kind of ‘dating’ this book still is a good read for churches that are open to learn.
Materials for the book come from a great number of churches resulting in a very objective overview of the current church environment of 2000 and trends of the time. The endorsements are very generous.

To be healthy a church must be God-centered. This must happen corporately and personally. According to German researcher Christian Schwarz, the size of a church is not a critical factor. Changed lives is a critical factor. A healthy church is relevant.

The history of social change and social reform demonstrate that they were often begun by Christians and Christian organizations, e.g. William Wilberforce. That is still happening today. There are those within the church who are suspect of a focus on social change as a sign of “a watered down gospel”. (38) Evangelistic priorities must be a part of the motivation for social change.

The church (Christians) needs “to utilize contemporary culture as a tool to meaningfully introduce the message of salvation”. (57) This requires an understanding of differing generational issues. Actual words make up only a small percentage of meaningful communication. Body language and voice inflection are crucial. We will not connect with post-moderns until we learn their language. We seem to be in a paradigm that proclaims, “If you experience God, you have the right teaching”. (66)

To be effective churches must be clear on what their strengths are and how these strengths can be best used to target specific people groups. These churches will be very intentional about their methodology to find and reach the unchurched.

The Judeo-Christian roots of our past generations are non-existent in our culture which is biblically illiterate. A new generation of ‘truth presenters’ is appearing which is “both rigorously academic and unabashedly Christian”. (119)

It seems all churches are dealing with change and the problems and challenges surrounding this process. This is especially true of worship. Worshippers expect to have an experience. There is not much teaching happening with regards to worship.

Church leaders must place a high value on developing and empowering lay leaders. Part of the survival of mega-churches is their priority for developing a small group network. “Spiritual resources and eternal mission” (189) set churches apart from market place organizations as they relate to management concepts and/or principles. The importance placed on prayer is crucial for a churc

The financial giving of church people to church causes has been in decline for years. “Stewardship is God’s way of raising people into the likeness of his Son.” Doug Carter. Some very interesting materials are presented about biblical stewardship.