We have entered a new year, a new century and a new millennium. The year 2000 is a major milestone in the Christian calendar as it marks the two thousandth year since the birth of God’s son, Jesus, who brought us a message of love, peace and hope that is based on faith in the mercy and justice of Almighty God. There is security in faith for the believer that transcends all hardships, miseries, illnesses and perils of this life.

This "Security in Faith" has provided protection for the Christian believer for many millenniums. Psalm 112 7-8 NIV tells us:

        This country was founded and settled by self-reliant men and women who went forth into the wilderness with prayer, a Bible and a will to survive. They depended on Almighty God for their security in the perilous conditions of the wilderness and their only fear was in the Lord’s anger. Since those times we have created government funded social safety nets and technology to provide much of the physical security that we had previously depended on God to provide. In doing so we have lost much of our self-reliance and must now depends on mere humans for our security, which has created a more secular society. However, there remains a core of Christians that is active and growing who believe in Christ and the Scriptures and have security in their faith.
        As we move into the 21st century and the third millennium there are many challenges ahead for Christians to face in the years and centuries ahead. Some of these challenges include:

1. The impact of genetic engineering on humans, plants and animals.
2. Changes in mores. Acceptance of the homosexual life style will be a major issue for the UMC at this year’s church wide General Conference and may initiate a division of the church.
3. The drift of the church toward political and social activism and away from teachings of Scripture.
4. Increasing life spans of individuals will put increased pressure on the church. Individuals born in 1999 will have a good chance of seeing year 2100 and living in 3 centuries.
5. Exploding populations in third world countries will provide fertile ground for evangelism but will stress the church in providing them sustenance.
6. Technological advances in computers and communications will be important in carrying the message of Jesus to the world. We must be prepared to take advantage of this technology.
7. It is projected that within 50 years the white population of the United States will be a minority. The church must prepare to become more diversified and homogeneous and to welcome different cultures in our worship and activities.
8. Oil is the backbone of our industrial economy and is not a renewable resource. Consumption is increasing at a rate of approximately 2% per year and it is estimated that current known oil reserves will be depleted within 50 years. Loss of this energy source will have a devastating affect on the world economy and promote radical changes in social, economic and political structures.
9. Global warming; brought about by consumption of fossil fuels, will be an important factor in determining our well being in the years ahead.
10. It is anticipated that as conditions in the world deteriorate, that more people will begin to look to Christ for their security and salvation. We must stand ready to guide and help them.

        The challenges facing Christians in the future are many, and the importance of providing our young people with Christ’s message and the Scriptures is critical. They will provide the important Security in Faith they will need to survive and ensure that the core of Christians will continue to grow and survive in a changing and increasingly hostile world.