USA Today just reported a study many of its readers will be alarmed by. Basically, the report details in the United States by the year 2050 (when I am 73 and wearing my pants way too high) we may not recognize the country as we know it today. That is not a bad thing (I'll get to that later).
Here are some of the most interesting stats:
- The Hispanic in the U.S. will triple in size and count for 29% of the population.
- Whites in the U.S. will for the first time be a minority dropping from 66% today to 47% in 2050. By comparison, whites made up 85% of the population in 1960.
- In 2030, the fast growing demographic in the U.S. will be those 65+.
Here's the million dollar question: Is the Church in the U.S. paying attention?
We are quick to talk about being missional and contextualizing the good news of Jesus into our local community and culture. Well, what happens when our local community changes and doesn't look like it does in 2008? What happens when Indianapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati all start looking like Miami? It appears we are going to be tested by putting our money where our mouths are as the expression goes.
Some people reading this post and seeing this study will be upset by it. They are used to the way things are now and would like it to always be that way. They'll want tougher immigration laws and border security to try and stop this from happening. I would remind them if they don't like it now you probably aren't going to like it in Heaven. All nations, all languages forever. It's like the United Nations except with Jesus and a clue.
Even in South Florida (where whites have become used to being a minority), I am amazed at how segregated the Church is. We are in one of the most diverse cities in the world and I constantly see churches having English services at one time, Spanish services at another time, Haitian services at another. The Pursuit Christian Church has decided we are going to reflect the creative character of God by celebrating together in the same room at the same time. Does it make some uncomfortable? Yes. Does it take more time and effort to plan. Sí. Is it worth it. Oh, yeah. I am not saying we are doing things better. It's just what we felt called to do.
I see this as a great opportunity for the Church to regain its voice in society. The Church should be leading the way in bringing unity to diversity because our common ground is Jesus. But we can't wait until 2050 and be leading the way!
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