EPISODE · Jun 15, 2026 · 57 MIN
On the Future of Church in 10 Years: What Could Change—and What Won't
from Try Tank Podcast · host TryTank Research Institute
What might the church look like ten years from now?In this episode, Lorenzo Lebrija welcomes Loren Richmond Jr.—pastor, chaplain, consultant, author, and host of the Future Christian Podcast—for a conversation about twenty predictions for the future of the church. Inspired by futurist Jane McGonigal's work on imagination and forecasting, Loren reflects on the demographic, cultural, economic, and institutional trends shaping Christian communities in the decades ahead. The conversation explores everything from volunteer-led congregations and the decline of denominational structures to the future of seminaries, church buildings, worship practices, and clergy leadership. Loren argues that while the gospel itself remains unchanged, the structures surrounding church life are already evolving—and leaders must learn to distinguish between the essentials of faith and the methods used to express it. Together, Loren and Lorenzo discuss church buildings as community assets, the rise of bivocational and itinerant ministry, creative nonprofit structures, changing worship patterns, and why imagining possible futures is a critical leadership skill. They also wrestle with questions of technology, virtual church, Christian nationalism, denominational identity, and the enduring hope that the church will continue to exist and adapt in every generation. Together they explore: Why church buildings may become community hubs The future of denominations and denominational identity Seminary education and clergy formation in a changing landscape Worship trends, tradition, and authenticity Technology, virtual church, and digital ministry Creative nonprofit and social enterprise models How leaders can prepare for the future today Resources MentionedImaginable — Jane McGonigalThe Church as Community Hub: Sharing Spaces to Help Neighborhoods Thrive — Loren's book Future Christian Podcast https://lorenrichmondjr.substack.com/p/ten-ways-church-will-be-differenthttps://lorenrichmondjr.substack.com/p/ten-more-ways-church-will-be-differentConnect with Loren The Church Nerd (Substack) @lorenrichmondjr on social media platforms
What this episode covers
What might the church look like ten years from now?In this episode, Lorenzo Lebrija welcomes Loren Richmond Jr.—pastor, chaplain, consultant, author, and host of the Future Christian Podcast—for a conversation about twenty predictions for the future of the church. Inspired by futurist Jane McGonigal's work on imagination and forecasting, Loren reflects on the demographic, cultural, economic, and institutional trends shaping Christian communities in the decades ahead. The conversation explores everything from volunteer-led congregations and the decline of denominational structures to the future of seminaries, church buildings, worship practices, and clergy leadership. Loren argues that while the gospel itself remains unchanged, the structures surrounding church life are already evolving—and leaders must learn to distinguish between the essentials of faith and the methods used to express it. Together, Loren and Lorenzo discuss church buildings as community assets, the rise of bivocational and itinerant ministry, creative nonprofit structures, changing worship patterns, and why imagining possible futures is a critical leadership skill. They also wrestle with questions of technology, virtual church, Christian nationalism, denominational identity, and the enduring hope that the church will continue to exist and adapt in every generation. Together they explore: Why church buildings may become community hubs The future of denominations and denominational identity Seminary education and clergy formation in a changing landscape Worship trends, tradition, and authenticity Technology, virtual church, and digital ministry Creative nonprofit and social enterprise models How leaders can prepare for the future today Resources MentionedImaginable — Jane McGonigalThe Church as Community Hub: Sharing Spaces to Help Neighborhoods Thrive — Loren's book Future Christian Podcast https://lorenrichmondjr.substack.com/p/ten-ways-church-will-be-differenthttps://lorenrichmondjr.substack.com/p/ten-more-ways-church-will-be-differentConnect with Loren The Church Nerd (Substack) @lorenrichmondjr on social media platforms
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On the Future of Church in 10 Years: What Could Change—and What Won't
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