Director of Mission Report
The paradigm, which was adopted during our Annual Meeting, symbolizes the reality of the historical shift toward how Christ's Great Commission is to be carried out in today's generation. It also symbolizes the reality of the historical shift toward how Christ's church must experience revitalization through a Spirit-led revival. While the message of Christ never changes, the methods for reaching new people are constantly changing.
The steady population growth of Lubbock County exposes current reality. Migration accounts for most of the 30,000 new-comers (a 15% growth) in the last decade.
The migration came from over 100 countries. While the largest number come from multiple nations which are Hispanic, the fastest growing demographic are Asians, which now equates to almost 11,000. More than 600 professional nurses immigrated from the Philippines. We are addicted to excellence in health care. At the current rate of growth, Asians will outnumber African-Americans by the end of the next decade. Within five years, more than 100,000 Hispanics will reside in Lubbock County.
Outside of Lubbock County is another story. The Anglo population of surrounding counties is declining. The migration of Anglos from the small West Texas towns to Lubbock accounts for the majority of the Anglo migration.
If this trends continues, and it appears that it will, then virtually all of the town-churches, which are predominately Anglo, will be reeking with even greater pain during the coming decade. Unless they discover how to reach the large migration of Hispanics to their communities, these churches will continue to lose members. Likewise, their well of money will begin to dry up. Already these churches have shrunk their staff and cut ministries. A day may come when some churches will either close their doors, or relinquish their facilities to the new population.
There is a unique exception to this trend. Some of the Anglos, who have mirated from the distant West Texas towns, have chosen a town, which is closer to Lubbock. This has had a positive impact upon churches in nearby towns.
However, one other trend must be acknowledged. Many families, especially young adults, have adopted a preference for the large churches in the city. They are choosing to drive from town to the city to attend church. This trend includes long-term residents of nearby towns. These "attenders" are rarely engaged in the life of their new church.
While rual churches struggle to retain their young adults, they must determine how to minister to their aging population. Additionaly, they must determine how to reach their new Hispanic neighbors, whose culture is radically different from their own.
Throughout the South Plains, whether in the city or the towns, the Hispanic population is exploding. Very few of our churches, including those churches which are predominantly Hispanic, have a good record of reaching our new neighbors.
All churches face the daunting challenge to be obedient to Christ's Great Commission. Our Jerusalem has never been so close to us in such large numbers. Christ's Church must encounter a radical paradigm shift in order to reach them.
Our own missionaries to foreign countries symbolize for us how we must make radical changes. Every missionary testifies about how he adapts to the cultural norms of the people to whom God has sent him. He learns their language. He attempts to understand how they think. He learns to eat their food.
The face of West Texas is rapidly changing. We can either embrace or fight it. To embrace it we need to be missional, like God is. Church revitalization has never been so critical. We are in great need of a Spirit-led revival.
An acknowledgement of our last demographic shift reveals the church's need for revitaization: Many of our children, grandchildren, and their friends have rejected the established church. A significant number have rejected Christ entirely.
Many young adults, who have rejected the established church, have chosen to create their own. Many are choosing non-traditional, non-denominational, contemporary churches. They meet in warehouses, sports places, storfronts, and homes. This is not a Lubbock area phenomenon alone. It is a national phenomenon.
If God is in this sweepting monement, we need to join Him with great praise. If so, how can we join Him? What can we do to learn from our experience? If we fail to respond appropriately, what is the future of the established church?
The journey forward is neither short nor easy.
Dr. Larry J. Jones
Director of Missions