The Great Reversal: How Churches Need to Rethink Mission

Most of us grew up in a time when mission was something the church did on behalf of its members. Money was collected and programs were put in place – both locally and around the world. Local programs focused on good worship, preaching, music and youth groups. Global things were focused on world hunger and supporting missionaries in faraway lands. People would select congregations based on denominational loyalty and local programmatic strengths. In many cases, congregations were so plentiful that they could choose between two or three congregations without going outside their denomination of choice.

But today this entire thing has almost completely reversed. Brand loyalty is a small thing since most people grow up without any church background. Local programming may have some influence on a few people but for the most part, people are too busy to want too many things competing for their time. The days where people looked to the church for lots of activities are mostly gone.

Today’s church needs to stop seeing people as the source of resources to do its work. Instead, the church of today needs to see people as the work. Instead of convincing people to invest in the church, the church now needs to see its focus as a chance to invest in people. Instead of lots of programs on a menu of choices, the church of 2023 will ground people in knowing the gospel that declares God’s love for them in Christ, teach people to think theologically about the issues they face in life, and equip and encourage them to live out their baptismal vocations to represent Christ and do Christ’s work in all they do.

Congregational leaders who are able to rethink ministry in ways that invest in people and mobilize them for ministry in daily life will change how people see and engage the world. At the same time, they will find vibrant options for 21^st century ministry all around.

So as you look at ministry post-pandemic, don’t put too much energy into trying to revive everything that paused or putting too many new programs in place. Instead, find new ways to invest in people and send them out to continue the work of Jesus.