This was a presentation I gave at the Church of Ireland's General Synod in Kilkenny, Ireland in May of 2007 on the emerging trends in the West (particularly Ireland) and the great potential to re-imagine what God is inviting His Church to be a part of in the 21st century.

1. Fresh Expressions in
Ireland’s Nascent Narrative
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2. Changing Island
‘How Ireland is Changing’
- Jim Hourihane
2005?
The current estimate for the population of the 26 counties is 4.1 million,
projected to grow to 5.5 million by 2030. Its growth is so rapid that it has
been suggested it may once again reach its pre-Famine level of 6.5 million
at some future date.
Ireland's position as the 10th wealthiest country of the 191 states
in the world will inevitably make it attractive for immigrants.
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3. ‘Let the People Speak’
An independent ecumenical investigation examining the reasons why church going is
declining in Ireland and Britain and the solutions people offer to reverse this decline.
Christianity is growing in many other parts of the world and the
investigation was initiated because no real answer had been found to
explain the decline of Christianity in Ireland and Britain.
. . surveys consistently revealed that about two-thirds of the population in
Ireland and the UK believe in God. (pg. 7)
Why did this strength of belief not translate into greater church
attendance?
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4. ‘Let the People Speak’
People who were emersed in a local Christian community (i.e home groups, Q & A sessions)
displayed a stronger faith than those who only attended a church service. This was because they
obtained a greater understanding of the reasons why they believed, rather than just relying on
church sermons. (pg. 14)
People want churches to give clear teaching on the nature of God’s holiness and the implications
this has for individuals and our two nations. (pg. 17)
People want churches to give priority to the ministry of worship, satisfying all the various
aspects worship involves. i.e. liturgy, service format, sermons and relational connection.
(pg. 23)
People want clergy to give greater priority to home visiting and pastoral care, in order to reflect
God’s love and concern for the individual.
(pg. 35)
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5. ‘Let the People Speak’
Available for download at www.churchsurvey.co.uk
or via post for a nominal fee.
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6. Consider that we live in at least
three worlds.
Emerging world
Modern world
Pre-modern world 2007
Graph by
Brian D. McLaren
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7. A Changing World
Modernity
Characterized by scientific process, answers, empirical data,
concepts, calculated approaches, limited variables and
quantitative end results.
Post-Modernity / Emerging World
Characterized by ‘journey’. questioning, experiential
elements, meanderings, experimentation and qualitative
assessment.
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8. “We know that our much loved
and treasured parochial
system is not equipped to
meet all the challenges of
young, mobile populations,
whose patterns of life and
work are not those of their
parents’ and grandparents’
generations.”
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- Archbishop Rowan Williams 8

9. What is your opinion of the theory that a major
cultural transition is now taking place?
What might it mean for the future of
Christianity if it’s true?
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10. What does all of this
mean for the Church?
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11. Emerging Churches
by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger (Baker, 2005)
1. Re-centering the gospel on Christ and the Kingdom of God
2. Engaging culture without a sacred-secular dualism
3. Doing life together in community between Sundays
4. Listening with openness, including the outsider
5. Serving those in need without ulterior motive
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12. Emerging Churches
by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger (Baker, 2005)
6. Involving participants actively in worship
7. Valuing creativity in the image of the Creator
8. Leading through networks, with or without hierarchies
9. Integrating ancient and avant-garde in spiritual formation
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13. North American
Developments
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14. Post-Modernity / Emerging World:
Implications
Significant elements Christianity could adopt to
address cultural shift:
‘The Gospel in a Culturally
Story Relevant Post-Modern Church’
- Ben Price
Emotion & Experience
Community [relationships]
Authenticity & Transparency
Dialogue & Journey
the Arts - “Art is to post-modernism what science was to modernity”
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15. “I would see the role of the arts as most powerful,
in saying to people, ‘this is not a shrinkage of your
humanity. On the contrary, there is room here
for you to explore and express’ . . The central
mystery of God taking human flesh has huge
implications for the arts . . [It’s] not repetitive
tradition versus creativity, but what degree of
newness we bring to the absorption and
apprehension of tradition . .”
- Archbishop Rowan Williams
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16. Emerging Cultural Trends
Brad Sargent - cultural interpreter, futurist, and systems strategist for
post-postmodern ministry
Virtual Tribes:
We have to listen and watch for each person's specific cluster of values, questions, beliefs, and
behaviors. How will we equip and endorse them?
•Sticking Around:
Consider 100-year plans for plowing, sowing, watering, and reaping in a society that has
increasingly less residual biblical knowledge. How can we encourage multi-generational continuity
in parish life?
•Drive-Through Training:
Self-initiated learning: anything from theologizing to VJing, Goths to non-profits, apologetics to
aesthetics. What can we offer for local hands-on intensives and culture-rich internships?
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17. Emerging Cultural Trends
Brad Sargent - cultural interpreter, futurist, and systems strategist for
post-postmodern ministry
Intercultural Challenge:
Focuses on inter-culturalism—interactions that composite the unique contributions of different
people groups, subcultures, and virtual tribes—and yet challenges each culture to identify its
toxicities and move beyond them. How do we dance around such delicate issues and come across as
friendly transformers instead of bigoted nay-sayers?
Holistic Integration:
Holistic approaches to ministry keep every dimension of our lives and lifestyles in dynamic tension:
our minds, imaginations, emotions, souls, wills, spirits, and bodies. All the while seeking individual
transformation toward Christ-like character and community transformation toward Kingdom
culture. How do we hold the many layers of our being together so the whole is more than the sum of
its parts?
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18. “…do not try to call them back
to where they were, and do not
try to call them to where you
are, beautiful as that place may
seem to you. You must have the
courage to go with them to a
place that neither you nor they
have been before.”
- Vincent Donovan;
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missionary to Africa 18

19. How can your parish / diocese best prepare for
being responsive instead of reactionary to
changes in society?
How are you facilitating relational connections
among your parishioners?
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25. How do we
Contextualise?
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27. The Price of Mission
“The church must always
be willing to die to its
own cultural comfort in
order to live where God
intends it to be.”
•
- Bishop Graham Cray
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28. The Price of Mission
• “Very
truly, I tell you,
unless a grain of wheat
falls into the earth and
dies, it remains just a
single grain; but if it dies
it bears much fruit.”
• - John 12:24
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29. ?
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