Winning the World

64 Wi nn i ng the Wor l d: Fac i l i tat i ng Urban Chur ch P l ant i ng Movement s

Rom. 16.17 (ESV) I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

A. Tradition described as dynamic revolution revealed in a movement of trends leading to a New Church , Barna, pp. 41-84

1. Focus is on transitions not upon traditions : His logic is anchored on tracking that which appears to be gaining momentum , i.e., in terms of sweeping changes which are reshaping the worldview, lifestyle, and expectation of believers in America, p. 41.

2. Seven trends facilitating the moral and spiritual revolution of millions.

a. Trend #1: Changing of the guard – two generations in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s are losing their grip on positions of power, influence, p. 42.

b. Trend #2: Rise to a new view of life – postmodernism philosophy and the rejection of absolute truth represent the new cultural shift of millions

c. Trend #3: Dismissing the irrelevant – unwillingness to put up with irrelevance, “abandoning anything that is not wholly germane to their passions,” pp. 43-4

d. Trend #4: Impact of technology – integration of sophisticated technologies into every sphere of work, leisure, play, and worship; global awareness

e. Trend #5: Genuine relationships – high premium placed upon genuine personal relationships, more than their predecessors (what of broken homes, marriages, dissolution in neighborhoods, nations?)