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 2010 will see churches internalizing pluralism.  What I mean is that, more than ever, people will be attending churches that they disagree with doctrinally.  I have already discussed the changing role of membership in the church and I think that this intra-church pluralism correlates to that movement.  While pluralism has negative connotations, I believe this movement can be value neutral for the church.

The pluralism that I am talking about is not the type of "all paths lead to God" or "all beliefs are equal" type of faith that denies the truths of Christianity as valid for all people.  The church has rightly taken a stand against that method of belief and instead recognized that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  Instead, there is another type of pluralism that exists among believing Christians; Christians who have legitimate, Christian faith but who disagree on some of the particulars.

There are whole movements who are known for their rejecting of this type of intra-church pluralism.  We see plenty of churches who take a stand on an issue, whether it is KJV only or reformed theology, and want to reject anyone who doesn't agree with them.  The churches differ on whether their dissenters are just misinformed or all out heretical, but they all reject those who disagree to some extent.

The growing trend, however, is for church attenders to not care that much about the specifics of their own churches beliefs.  People are comfortable attending a church where the Bible is preached, where they hear the message of salvation, and where they have fellowship with other believers even if they disagree on the matters of the end times or what translation to use or whether grace is resistible.  This change is going to have both an up side and a down side.  The benefit of diversity in the church can be better discussions on topics, a more rounded understanding of wider Christian thought, and a deepening of or walk with God.  On the other hand, for people who are militant in their beliefs and seek too strongly to "convert" others not just to faith in Christ but to their system, this can lead to division in the church.

The challenge will be to continue teaching and preaching the word of God, but to do it in a way that all who believe can be edified.  I believe it can be done without giving up our systematic theology, but that is the challenge for the coming years.