| Church DevelopmentRipe Communities
By Dr. Montfort C. Duncan Jr.,
Executive Director, Church Development
 When
was the last time you heard someone in your church say, “We are not in
a growing community. We are maxed out on building new homes, apartments
and condos?” I have been in many churches where these are some of the
opening statements as we deal with church transformation.
The statistics give a different picture of what
is happening in most communities. Every year about 20 percent of
Americans move to a new community (Office of Research, General Board
of Global Ministries). These persons immediately become a possible
mission field for our churches to reach out in ministry and help
continue or begin a journey of faith for these new residents. What
does this mean to your congregation?
If you do not consider those who are moving into
your community, then two questions arise: 1). Why not consider them?
and 2). Isn’t this another opportunity God gives us to help fulfill
the Great Commission? Who are these new people moving into our
communities and neighborhoods? What is their faith receptivity level?
Survivors (born 1961-1981) and Boomers (born
1943-1960) are more likely to have no faith involvement than Silents
(born 1925-1942) and Builders (born 1900-1924). More than 39 percent
of Survivors surveyed indicated they had no faith involvement at all.
Boomers were not far behind at 37 percent. Curiously, of the four
generations one-third of Survivors indicated they were somewhat
involved. Such middle ground was less likely to be true of the other
three generations. They were more likely to characterize themselves as
having either no involvement or strong involvement, with Boomers
leaning toward no involvement and Silents and Builders toward strong
involvement (Percept – Quick Insight, Vol. 1, No. 12).
The following is the level of faith involvement
by generation:
|
Not
Involved |
Somewhat
Involved |
Strongly
Involved |
| Survivors |
39.3% |
33.3% |
27.4% |
| Boomers |
36.9% |
29.0% |
34.1% |
| Silents |
31.4% |
28.4% |
40.2% |
| Builders |
27.4% |
29.6% |
42.9% |
This shows that in most communities about
two-thirds are not involved or somewhat involved (marginal). This
gives us a rich harvest field for disciple-making. Add to this the 20
percent new residents moving each year and it becomes clear the fields
are ripe for harvest.
The Office of Church Development is ready to
help you and your church develop a plan to reach those in your
community. Further information is available on what the unchurched are
looking for in a community of faith and how best to reach out to them.
If we can help you in your commitment to make disciples, give us a
call. We are ready to help!
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