I read an article this last week in which the author stated with the utmost confidence (read hubris) what will happen to the church “next.” Really?

Here are some clues as to what to focus on regardless of what happens next…

• Preach the Gospel, the whole Gospel!!! Passionately, humbly, faithfully.
• Help people become followers of Jesus (the non-colonizer Jesus). Apprentice people into the life of Jesus, not the American version of the church. There is a difference.
• Tangibly and communally love those who are marginalized and on the underside of power.
• Build enormous tables and tear down ridiculous walls. It is not enough to say that all are welcome if they are actually only conditionally welcome.
• Hold loosely to ecclesial models. Context should inform all church structure, not the other way around.
• Don’t hog the center. God has given gifts to all, not just you. Most probably already affirm this. The church, however, is ready for leaders to do more than affirm, though. Activate the whole voice of the whole church – women, BIPOC, the young and old, etc. Think Acts 2.
• Stand up and speak out against injustice – the prophetic voice of the church is so needed. Be kind, but not silent. 
• Envision the church as a missionary, following a missionary God into the world. Attempt to imagine how the church would re-organize if this were believed as true.

I don’t want to be overly dismissive or reductionistic, but as someone who has been leading in the church for almost four decades, people who tell you for sure what is next for the church may just be whistling in the dark.