Many of you have just
begun following this blog, and may be asking yourselves, “What is he talking
about when he uses the term “complex culture?” Back in July, I attempted to define this term in two posts. For a more complete description, you
can click on July and read those posts. Briefly stated:
In
the past, the Church’s ministry location has been broken down into three broad categories:
urban, suburban, and rural. However, over the last forty years, growing
cultural, language, religious, ideological, and generational diversity, has increasingly
blurred those distinctions. The endless possibilities for combinations of these
differences in any particular community have modified the ministry context of
most congregations.
In
addition, the broadcast media’s coming of age has tended to shape and homogenize
the values of most Americans no matter where they live. There seems to be
greater difference and uniformity at the same time. Any variances between the
three traditional categories are now more in degree than in kind.
This
is not to say that what we have known as urban ministry no longer exists or is needed.
The point is that communities everywhere in the U.S. have their own unique combination
of the above factors.
Many
call it a “new normal.” This blog is proposing a new term, “complex culture,” to
describe this new ministry context. The posts found here will be an exploration
of both the narrower and broader issues surrounding this new ministry context.
Are you experiencing some
of these kinds of differences? If so, what are they?
What are you doing in
your church to minister to as many people in your community as possible?
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