CHANGING AMERICA
America is changing. And has been. The United States population has moved from 20% urban in 1870, to 40% in 1900, to 70% in 1980, and now 90% urban in 2000. This radical shift in lifestyle has affected every corner of America. Consider the following differences listed by author Aubrey Malphurs:
Rural Communities | Urban Communities |
Status quo | Change |
Sameness | Diversity |
Harmony | Conflict Management |
Smallness | Bigness |
Established | Mobile |
These attitudes affect ministry in all denominations. Churches which were established by Rural-minded people are now frustrated trying to reach Urban-minded people. Church leaders cannot keep the church as it once was, but must minister to the new attitudes in our culture. And young pastors of these Rural-minded churches must understand the dynamics of the church they are shepherding or it will rapidly end in a split.
What is your own experience in this change of attitudes in America? Or do you disagree with Malphurs’ assumption?
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