Dr. Erika Hendrix - The Think Tank

The Think Tank: Building the 21st Century Church

By Monica Montgomery

Photos Provided by Still Shots Photography

In 2020, the world shut down. The COVID 19 pandemic made public and social gatherings impossible and, in some cases, illegal. Stores and restaurants were closed to the public, and schools had to find a creative way to provide quality education to students nationwide.

Houses of worship were not spared the closures. The bible teaches that we must not forget to gather in worship. So, like the rest of the world, the church had to evolve or die. As the world finds its new normal, many have found a convince in remote life. Attending church online is as easy as going to Facebook or YouTube. To attend church, parishioners never have to leave their house. They can give online and attend online bible study from the comfort of their living room.

Many “mega” churches were already a regular presence on social media, so the adjustment wasn’t as impactful. But for the smaller family and community churches, the effects were devastating. Without the weekly attendees, their buildings fell empty, and some shut their doors.

Dr. Erika Hendrix has been in ministry for over twenty years and has witnessed firsthand the after-effects of pandemic life. “In March 2020, the world was on house arrest!” she says with a laugh. “Our malls, salons, and churches were empty. But now that things are opening up, we have to find a way to move forward with this new normal we find ourselves in,” Erika explains. “Church as we know it has changed forever. Some pastors and leaders are faced with

huge edifices, and only about a third of the congregants, they are used to. So what do they do with all of that extra space? That is where my new consulting firm, The Think Tank, comes in.”

In the years leading up to the pandemic, brick-and-mortar businesses started to disappear. Companies like eBay and Amazon made point-and-click shopping quick and easy. But what about the actual buildings? Are they abandoned? This doesn’t have to be the case, according to Erika. The Think Tank is a ministry consulting firm that will help churches and businesses evaluate and adjust to an ever-changing world.

“Our ministry consulting firm focuses on helping ministries evaluate how they operate and what they need to be effective in the age of online living. The church used to be the center of community life. I believe it can be again. There are businesses that require space. Space that the churches now have in abundance. Churches can rent out their excess space, allowing it to generate revenue for Kingdom building, and simultaneously provide a service to the community.”

Another focus Erika’s firm helps with is shedding the excess. “Let’s be honest for a moment. Many of our churches operate out of tradition and habit. It’s always been done this way, so we should continue to do it. As we reevaluate the ministries and auxiliaries in the church, we are finding that they are a drain on space and resources. The Think Tank will work with ministries to look for the trouble spots that can be combined or eliminated altogether. This will free up finances to be reallocated to other more effective ministry areas.”

“Our ministry consulting firm focuses on helping ministries evaluate how they operate and what they need to be effective in the age of online living. The church used to be the center of community life. I believe it can be again.”

The Think Tank helps the church focus on these critical areas: The Spiritual growth of the ministry, social health, and well-being. The psychological health and well-being of its members. The daily business dealings of the ministry, the effect it has on the community it serves, and how to fortify the church’s infrastructure.

Churches interested in hiring The Think Tank would participate in the Emerging Leadership Training for the 21st Century Church. This course is designed to help church leaders realign their vision of the church regarding spiritual and community growth.

In the month of July Erika will launch The Think Tank Ministry Consulting Firm with a master class. She currently hosts an internet-based radio show on 107.9 The Source called “The Xperience Live Presents The Think Tank” on the second and third Sundays of the month. Erika is passionate about seeing the Kingdom of God grow and adapt so that it can reach everyone. By helping churches reevaluate, repurpose, and rethink how they function, she believes there will be a revival of the Christian faith like never before.