Pastoring in 2024 is not like it was pre-pandemic. We can either live in denial or figure out how to adapt without diluting our message. In today’s episode we explore four trends we are noticing in the Church post-pandemic (we will cover four more trends next week in episode 245).

Trend 1: Pastoral ministry creates an invisible pull toward the micro (tactical) at the expense of the macro (strategic)

• This trend isn’t new . . . but it’s persistent! We must figure out a way to spend more time working on our ministry and less time working in our ministry.
• Tactical = working in. Strategic = working on.

Trend 2: Health is measured differently

Attendance is not unimportant as an indicator of health, but in 2024 perhaps it shouldn’t be the top indicator. Here are some other health barometers to consider:

• The number/percentage of people attending small groups.
• Service engagement.
• Non-number-centric indicators of organizational health include trust, clarity of vision and strategy; communication, adherence to core values; managing conflict well.

Trend 3: People are lonely

• Again, not a new trend, but this one seems truer than ever.
• People seem lonelier in 2024 than they did in pre-pandemic.
• Be more strategic about creating deep-connection opportunities for people, especially newer people.

Trend 4: Your team (younger team especially) want/need regular face time with you

• A rookie leadership mistake: Spending too much time trying to get unfaithful people faithful, and way too little time pouring into those who were
• It is a losing strategy to spend more time with problem people than with people who are on board and rowing in the same direction you are.