Trend.  Simply defined, it refers to the current style or preference.  We usually associate trend with fashion and entertainment, but there is another definition of “trend” and that is “a general direction”.   It is this definition that I use in looking at church trends.  What is the general direction of the church today?  We know that the church is dynamic; it is not an organization, but an organism.  As such, it is open to change and grows.  So even in its structure, paradigms and programs, there are constant changes.
We can talk about church trends and this CCOWEspondence issue will not be sufficient to exhaust all possible areas.  So I will simply look into two areas: worship and leadership. What direction is the church taking in terms of worship and leadership?
In Terms of Worship
There is truly a renewed interest in worship.  This present generation has produced more worship leaders than any other.  We have yearly worship seminars conducted by different organizations representing different styles, from liturgical to more contemporary worship.  Seminaries are now offering courses and even graduate programs focusing on worship and church music.  As far as worship is concerned, there is a call for a more balanced worship.
B – Balanced Worship

Churches have always sought to find a balance between traditional and contemporary worship.  What is interesting is that even the word “contemporary” poses a lot of difficulties.  For one, what is contemporary now may be traditional five to ten years from now.  What further complicates it is how we tend to get stuck in our own appreciation of the contemporary music we have grown up with.

The trend now is for the church to strike that balance in their worship services.  Evangelical and even charismatic leaders are looking at how our hymns and contemporary choruses can be incorporated into one service.  Traditional hymns are rooted in Scriptures and have a rich history, while contemporary choruses are expressions of the songwriter’s deepest worship and praise to our God.  In blending both types we are able to address both the transcendence and immanence of God, that is, exalting God’s Majesty and the cry for deeper intimacy with Him.

E – Experiential
A second trend in worship is that of a desire to have a more experiential worship.  By using the term “experiential”, I am not delving into any New Age stuff or advocating emergent worship.  I am simply referring to the worshipper’s desire to move from simply knowing about God through study to knowing God through one’s experience.  I am not downplaying the importance of knowledge about God, since I firmly believe that knowing about God should lead to a passion to experiencing God.
This is reflected in the lyrics of the new worship choruses, in our pulpits as well as in Christian literature.  Just browse through the current Christian publications and you will find titles such as Desiring God, Experiencing God, Wild at Heart, Sacred Romance.  These are but some titles that reflect the heart cry of our current generation. We desire a new intimacy with the King of Kings.  As you listen to worship songs such as Heart of Worship and Draw Me Close, you can’t help but be drawn to the very heart of God in praise and devotion.
In Terms of Leadership
Aside from reemergence of Worship, there is also a growing trend in leadership, particularly developing strong leadership, not only among pastors but lay leaders.  Seminaries are developing their own doctor of ministry programs on different areas of leadership.  Seminars abound with topics such as Lead Like Jesus, Vision of a Leader, and Maxwell’s various leadership seminars.  As far as leadership is concerned, Christians are looking for two types of leadership. 
S – Servant Leadership
Gone are the days when leaders were simply directors in a play, when they would just sit and watch, shout instructions and demand complete obedience and perfection.  Nowadays, we are coming back to the very heart of Jesus’ leadership, and that is service.  Jesus came to serve and not to be served, setting an example for the disciples and for all who wish to follow in His steps.  Servant leadership requires humility and meekness, but not weakness and indecisiveness.  Leaders should seek the proper balance between exercising God-given authority and charity.  The leaders of today serve others with a strong mind (decisiveness), but with an equally strong heart (love). 
T – Team Leadership
Gone, too, are the days when the senior pastor designs everything, decides for everything, and does everything by himself.  With our ministries becoming more complicated and with the multiplicity of spiritual gifts given to the body, there is no reason why the senior pastor would exercise monopoly in serving the Lord.   The Body metaphor in the Bible lends itself to team ministry.  But it is not enough to have an organizational structure that looks like a team.  True teamwork requires mutual care, openness, communication, affirmation, and even the pursuit of excellence.  Even in a pastoral committee, it is best to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each pastor, and assign tasks and responsibilities equal to their strengths and help one another in the areas of their weaknesses. 
Just remember, regardless of the trend, ministry is best done when one does his B.E.S.T.