Post Modern Christianity: The Future of the Church and Post Modern Ministry in the 21st Century

WHO’S RIGHT? THE LIBERALS OR THE CONSERVATIVES?
New Page 1

With the election looming, let’s settle this matter, once and for all. The answers, though, will surprise you. For more, click on the title above.

Who’s “In” and Who’s “Out”?
The refusal of an empowered laity has proven the greatest failure of today’s church. The co-dependency of skeptical pastors—protecting their own financial interests—and lazy laity—protecting their own membership privileges—has become an insidious addiction. Because of this cozy collusion, the more fervent and faith-filled entrepreneurs are finding their way outside the church. More. . . .

Who's Making Christians So Angry?
Who’s Making Christians So Angry? Why are so many of the faithful becoming "believers" outside our sacred "systems"? Why are they becoming "movers and shakers" outside the church? To find out, click the title above . . . .

A DESIGNER DELIVERANCE?
"Everything Must Change." So everything—and I do mean "everything"—has gone out of style! The "old-fashioned" notions of "getting religion"—including repentance, redemption, deliverance, salvation, and being "born again," belong to the past. Among these leaders, Christianity has become a "designer deliverance". . . . For more, click on the title above.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO HUMILITY?
When emerging church leaders think they have everything "all wrapped up," it’s time to yell, "Time Out!" Putting everything in a little box is not what the church needs at this moment in history. Instead, it’s time to sit on the edge of our seats and listen, look, and learn . . . . (Click the title above.)

OUR GREEK "SOUL"
Too many emerging church leaders nurse too many self-deceptions. We claim "a radically different mindset, value system, and worldview," but the facts prove otherwise. Find out why by clicking the title above.

A "THINKING-MAN'S" RELIGION?
A terrible virus has spread through today’s church—the cold sickness of a faith that simply "thinks"—a "thinking-man’s" religion. Nevertheless, there's hope for the future! Click the title above...

THE "VERY HEART" OF CHRISTIANITY?
Western Christianity has missed it for centuries. For the "very heart" of our faith is not, after all, the very heart of our faith. Read more by clicking the title above.

THE "HOLY GRAIL" OF POSTMODERNISM
Too many seminaries prepare students for roles that no longer exist—with tools that no longer work—in order to solve "problems" that no longer resolve the problems. So "cutting-edge" leaders ride to the rescue with their "postmodernism" guns blazing. Yet, history has moved beyond this philosophical fad. See why by clicking the title above.

THE "TIPPING POINT"
The growing criticism of the “emerging church” has tipped us toward one of the most serious moments in church history. Find out why by clicking the title above.

SPIRITUALITY AND THE LANGUAGE OF THE FUTURE
The power in an Oral Culture is creativity. The power in creativity is art. The power in art is metaphor. And the power in metaphor is emotion. Yet, the church has no theology of creativity. It has scant understanding of prophetic art. It reduces metaphor to a figure of speech. And it has a love/hate relation to emotion. Click the title for more. . . .

THE FRIEND THAT STAYED TOO LONG
The Da Vinci Code is not our problem. Our problem is another "code" that emerged centuries ago and remains so hidden we’re not even aware of it. (Click the title above.)

MONEY, HONEY!
The church’s teaching on money threatens its very existence. Yet, the future holds reasons for giving that are far better than the reasons we’ve been given. For more, click on the title above . . .

RUN! . . . THE LAITY ARE COMING! (PART II)
Who's in and Who's out in the world of Christian leadership? The answers are found in the following oxymorons. . . .

RUN! . . . THE LAITY ARE COMING! (PART I)
The world is reapportioning power from the “somebodies” to the “nobodies.” This fact forecasts a transfigured “laity,” and Christendom will never be the same. See what’s happening by clicking the title above.

ARE YOU READY FOR SCIENCE FICTION CLERGY?
Tomorrow's church leaders are almost "unthinkable." In fact, they'll fit nicely into science fiction nonsense. (Click the title above.)

ARE YOU BEING "LEFT BEHIND"?
Churches "thrive or dive" by their leaders. Especially in this historical moment. Yet, today's leaders can't salvage tomorrow's church. For their flaws are built into their very roles! See why by clicking the title above.

WILL WE EVEN CALL IT "CHURCH"?
Changes in today's church are happening so frequently, so profoundly, that we can't tell for certain where we're going. In fact, when we finally get there, will we even call it "church"? (Click on the title above

THE NEXT BUZZWORD?
A new buzzword may be the coming "cool" thing among cutting edge churches. Our first buzzword fling began with the confusion of a "postmodern" church. More recently, we have preferred an "emerging" church. Now--in a giant step forward--we may be ready for. . . . (Click the title above)

SOMETHING BIG IS HAPPENING
Something big is happening. Bigger than what we're doing. Bigger than what we're predicting . . . "We're not in Kansas anymore."

IS "SAVING SOULS" POSSIBLE IN A POSTMODERN WORLD?
They say, "Don't even consider manipulating someone else's beliefs." Well---in that case---will evangelism even be possible? (Click the title above.)

CHRISTIAN CON ARTISTS?
Postmodernists call us a bunch of "con artists." Surely they're wrong. Or are they?

THE WRONG BOOGEYMAN!
Church leaders see dangers, but these dangers are not what actually endanger us. We've got the wrong boogeyman! Click the title above for the difference between today's symptoms and today's realities

STUCK IN A SUICIDE PACT
Are You in love with religion? Be careful! The religious "thought-police" and mob mentality of the modern church have blinded us to the "signs of the times." Click on the title above. . . .

TALKIN' THE "TALK"
One more scandal. That's all we need! Only this time it's not someone else's scandal. It's our own. For more, click the title above.

THE HOLE IN THE DONUT OF TODAY'S CHRISTIANITY
Christianity requires inspired emotion, an assertive will, and dangerous risk--all the qualities refused in "proper" churches and "respectable" seminaries. Click the title above for more. . . .

THE END OF MILQUETOAST CHRISTIANITY
Churches die day by day at the hands of the unempowered. Yet, the trend of history offers just the opposite. See this exciting trend by clicking on the title above.

THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
In what should be an awesome awakening, why does the church remain so ignorant of the future and lost in the past? Click on the title above for the "greatest opportunity in the history of the church."

ARE YOU WINNING THE CULTURAL WAR?
Are you conservative or liberal? And who's winning? (You'll be surprised!) Find out more by clicking on the title above.

LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE
In this postmodern world, a new language outruns our reality, outpasses our theology. Can you speak this new language? Find out by clicking on the title above.

CAN WE "BELIEVE" IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE?
Is faith an objective decision? Is it only reasoned agreement with approved doctrine? History says, "No." Click on the title above for a brief list of the milestones we've already passed.

IS SCRIPTURE STILL VALID?
Scripture has lost much of its voice today. It has grown strangely silent even in the church! Does this mean Scripture has a diminished role in the postmodern world? Click on the above title. . . .

VOICES FROM THE PAST?
How important is "tradition" in the future church? Whether "for" or "against," you still may not have the right answer. Click on the title above. . . .

FANTASY OR FAITH?
Is God whoever Aunt Lucy and the "big guys" on our cultural "block" say He is? To find out, click on the title above.

EMPOWERED TRUTHS FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM
The way we've been taught to think is wrong. And it's hurting the emerging church. Click the title above for the "thinking" of the new church.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE "PROOFS" OF TRUTH?
When the world no longer accepts the "proofs" of our truth or the "evidence" of our doctrines, what can the church do? For answers, see the continuing series: "Signs of Truth, Part Two" (Click on the title above.)

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE "EVIDENCE" OF DOCTRINES?
What can the church do when the world no longer accepts the "evidence" of our doctrines--the "proofs" of our truth? To find the answers, click on the title above

THE NEW SEARCH FOR TRUTH
How have the great minds of the church so totally missed this turn in the road? Today, "truth" is up for grabs—"certainty" has been shattered—and this crisis threatens the very existence of the church. Click on the title above for a summary of where we've been and where we're going.

STILL MORE QUESTIONS FOR CLERGY
Today, we witness the end of a faith that "simply thinks," that forms from mere passive assent, that fades day by day with the dying gasps of the unempowered. Are you passive or empowered? Answer these questions and see.

MORE "QUESTIONS FOR CLERGY"
Are you misusing the power of metaphor in your church? Answer these questions and see. (Click on the title above.)

QUESTIONS FOR CLERGY
Can you speak the language of the future church? Answer these questions and see. (Click on the title above.)

"DOING METAPHOR"
Today, we witness the end of a faith that "simply thinks." Instead, we are learning to "participate" in metaphor--to "do" metaphor. Here's how. (Click the title above.)

METAPHOR: WHAT IT IS
Metaphor will prove the primary voice for the future church. This voice, however, is not the metaphor we've known. For a newly defined metaphor, click on the title above.

METAPHOR: WHAT IT'S NOT
Metaphor is the language of the future church. Yet, it's not the metaphor we know. To find out why, click on the title above.

"SERAPHS OR SNAKES?"
Is the church on the wrong side of history? Is it in a state of denial? Are we on a collision course with the Holy Spirit? In this crossroad between opportunity and danger, have we been given our greatest opportunity? For more, click on the title above

RETHINKING THINKING
Yes, the Word remains eternal, but have your "words" suffered defeat? As we rethink "thinking," history is bypassing those churches that refuse a new way of knowing. Don't be left behind. For more, click on the title above

LEAPING OUTSIDE OF ITSELF (Future of the Arts, Part II)
Better get rid of your old ideas about "sacred" arts. Everything is up for grabs. And wonderfully so, for this is the most exciting moment in the history of both art and the Church. Click on the title above for a brief summary followed by the full article.

THE FUTURE OF THE ARTS
Future church leaders will be artists, for art is destined to become the next "incarnation" of our faith. For a summary, click the title above.

PROMISES MUCH MORE ABOUND
Yes, "Peril abounds . . . but promises much more abound." Out of the ashes of the past emerge the greatest opportunities in the history of Christianity. For the first time in centuries, the church will operate in its own realm. No longer will it have to compete with the world on the world's own terms. See a summary by clicking on the title above.

A MANY SPLENDORED THING
The way we were taught to "think" is proving wrong. A new awareness is transcending the "logic" of the past and will forever change the church—for the better! See a summary by clicking on the title above.

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
Do you feel caught "between a rock and a hard place"? Most church leaders do. Find out the real reasons by clicking on the title above.

WHO WE ARE
Are you a conservative or liberal Christian? It doesn't matter anymore. History is quickly leaving both groups behind. Read a brief summary by clicking on the title above.

SPEAKING TRUTH IN THE "POSTMODERN WORLD"
untitled How does the Church speak "Truth" in a world that refuses the notion of universal truth? Author Thomas Hohstadt shares brief insights from his coming book: The Language of the Future: Speaking Truth in the Postmodern World.

THE FAMOUS "7 QUESTIONS" OF GINKWORLD
In a message to young people, author Thomas Hohstadt answers the famous "7 questions" of Ginkworld.net. To find out where their church will be in 50 years, read on.

WHICH WORLD DO YOU LIVE IN?
Are You "Modern," "Postmodern," or Something Else? Are you sure? Take this brief test and see.

WARNING: TEST YOUR EMOTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING
Emotion is reshaping reality in the postmodern world. Are your emotions an asset or a liability to the future church? Find out by answering the following questions:

IS EVANGELISM OUT-OF-DATE?
Will evangelism become old-fashioned . . . out-of-date? Or will it simply change its form? To see how your views compare with the trends of history, take this brief test. Comparing yourself to others, is your evangelism:

THE SPIRITUAL LEADERS OF THE FUTURE
Are you one of the spiritual leaders of the future? How do you know? Take this test and see. The leaders of the future will be:

WHERE WE'RE GOING
The Digital Future Once again, a new medium moves a new mood . . . a new promise pushes a new paradigm . . . a new style sows a new seed. The results will prove unavoidable, and they "will be very different from the electronic church that we know from television."

INTRODUCING THE FUTURE
Postmodernism brings fear to the hearts of church leaders. No wonder. It claims the end of the modern world—the end of our reality . . . our thinking . . . our language. More sinister, it rejects any universal Truth.

EMPOWERED PASSIONS
. . . in a New Language A new language emerges out of the ashes of modernism. It is decidedly the language of metaphor, and it will definitely ride a wave of emotion. This new language will involve all forms of communication in a sensory, emotional multimedia more real than reality itself. Like all arts, rituals, and symbols, this new metaphor--this new interplay of the senses--will represent something "not there" . . . something beyond itself . . . something unseen. And it will embody the power--through God's grace--to transform us . . . to recreate us . . . even to heal us.

WHAT MAKES MUSIC CHRISTIAN?
Pop culture always looks for the “latest thing.” Christian Culture included! Market-driven churches parade the latest lingo. Seeker Sensitive evangelists seduce secular senses. Black church imitators “get down,” but never “get up.” Gen-X bands even break the “cutting edge” in rebellion against the boomers. And moribund denominations risk throwing in a few “choruses.”

FutureChurch is grateful to Jose Gomez and Brian Krabach for contributions to the design of this site.