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As a new decade is on the horizon, the best way to plan and prepare for a new decade is to see what the last decade has taught us. Here are 10 things that I have learned about the last 10 years:

#MeToo Movement

This is a great one, to be honest. The #MeToo Movement has taken over every area of life - fame, politics, religion, businesses, and sports. It’s based on justice, humanitarian rights, and equalization. Our culture needs to move towards truth, confession, and repentance. #MeToo is a great example of this.

Sexual Preference Entered the Main Stage

In the same way, sexual preference has taken the main stage in culture. Movies, politics, religion, and music has ALL touched on this in some way. Responding to sex, relationships, and culture in an apologetic, intellectual, and loving way will continue to be a reality in the next 10 years.

Everyone is a Celebrity on Socials

Being famous has shifted. No longer do you need to be in Hollywood to be famous. You can make a difference simply by being famous on socials. Anyone and everyone can be famous if they want. In fact, socials have reshaped celebrity-ism. In the same way, socials are a great way to reveal the ONE who will always be famous.

Smartphones Make Us Smart (or Stupid)?

Since the introduction of the smartphone, mental health issues have risen by 30%. Research continues to monitor this, and there are some great articles on this matter from Psychology Today. With that said, smartphones have changed the forms of communication in a revolutionary way since the invention of the printing press over 500 years ago! So much so, that it has reshaped relationships, work, information, and identity. The next 10 years will be focusing on how to educate, regulate, and resource people on the digital age.

The Digital Age is Here to Stay

With that said, the digital age has taken over. It is not a fad! More people use the digital age for work, entertainment, and relationships than in any other form of communication. We need to continue to lean into the digital age to engage culture in the next 10 years.

Relational Fluidity

Furthermore, relationships continue to be fluid. The attack on the “traditional” views of relationships in marriage will be on the chopping block. Personalized truth, deterioration of religious views, and the plethora of relationship options have been attacking marriage for some time. And, with that said, relational verbiage of “finding my unicorn,” “my ghosts,” and “where is my white elephant” are all cries of trying to find “true” love in a world of  “fake” relationships. Keep relationships on top priority as you minister/lead in the next 10 years.

The Birth of Personalized Truth

Experience has taken over wisdom. Feelings trump truth. Personalization is king. We continue to see in culture the importance of the individualistic and personalization of truth. This is a fascinating reality. Those who don’t agree with “personalized” truth seem to polarize those who do. Even so much so, to judge, act out, and/or isolate those who disagree; on all fronts. This is why love (agape) will need to rise in Christianity if the local church wants to leverage influence in culture.

Polarized Judgement

This leads me to the reaction of polarized judgementalism. Over the last 10 years, we have seen a rise of hate, pain, hurt, and bigotry in our culture. Obviously, only love can be a response to this. Only the agenda of love, with no other agenda, will win on this one. How are you leading with love?

Mental Health Awareness

Movements have been birthed to bring awareness to mental health. Celebrities, programs, ministries, culture, movies have bought awareness of this reality gap. I am grateful for culture to pave the way to allow safe places for people to discuss their mental needs. This will continue to be the reality in the next decade.

The Rise of REAL Christianity

Last, spirituality and Christianity continues to rise in culture but will decrease in religion. We see this with the rise of the nones. I find this very interesting. Perhaps, it is because the local church has focused more on their past heritage, political viewpoints, and/or power than reaching the future with the mandate of Christ? With that said, however, those who want to reach the future will need to focus on transformation rather than programming, felt-needs ministry rather than productions, and people over policy. The next decade could have a great shift for the Church if the Church is willing to make the next decade better than the last.

What are some ways the last decade has taught you about the next decade?

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