Philip Jenkins recently wrote an award-winning book called The next Christendom. It is an eye-opening look at the projected future of Christianity.
The current picture of the demographics of Christianity: 2 billion Christians worldwide, of which 550,000 are in Europe, 470,000 in Latin Americ, and 360,000 in Africa.
If the rate of change goes on, by 2025, Latin America nad Africa will probably be tied for the most Christians. By mid-century, Africa will be the heartland of Christianity. Worldwide, there will be 3 billion Christians, of which only 1/5 will be Caucasian.
The rate of growth is incredible. Some African pastors are actually praying for fewer converts, since they have so many that they can't handle any more. Archbishops are worn out by having to consecrate so many new churches. And all of this growth is happening in the middle of devastating sickness. A picture of a 'typical' Christian would look more like a poor woman in Africa or China, than a white suburban American.
In 2050, if the current growth rate continues, the estimates are that countries with large numbers of Christians will include US, Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, and the Congo, for example. But NOT on the list are Britain, France, Italy and Spain.
Mainstream Christianity in the future will be what we see today in African churches -- a pentacostal flavor with an emphasis on social justice.
The most important reason driving change is simply demographic. The average age in Italy is 40. The average age in Uganda is 16. 90% of the young people of the world are in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The growth of Christianity is a women's movement. Even if the denomination doesn't ordain women, they are key converts and influencers.
Global Christianity is a healing movement. Especially focused on Luke 8. This includes the knowledge of the reality of the demonic, and exorcisms.
In the 1960s there was an expectation that the world would be scientific and urban, industrialized. But this hasn't brought global wealth or health or happiness.
Welfare, health, education services are a great motivator. Whichever religion addresses these issues will attract people. In many places, this is the great appeal of Islam. What are the implications to us?
In the past, missionaries were accused of bringing an alienist imperialist religion. but the most successful social movement of the 20th century is Christianity! communism and fascism are dead. Other movements have passed. Christianity remains. So the missionaries were actually effective, in spite of their flaws.
Christian history doesn not happen how or where we think. Ethiopia and Armenia were actually the first Christian staes. The historic norm of Christianity is persecution and oppression.
Christianity does not have a geographic core. In the 17th century, St Vincent de Paul, wrote during a time of religious chaos and people killing each other: "Jesus said his church will last till the end of time. He never ;mentioned Europe".
Look at Europe today, and think what it means for mission. We think of mission as something that goes from global north to global south. But it is now reversed. Missionaries are starting to come from the South, to evangelize secular Europe.
The US is not as badly off as Europe. The great commission is to preach the gospel to the whole world, but the world came here. For example, Nigerians are one of the world's diaspora people. Houston is the US center of Nigerian community. The US church can influence world policy, by acting politically to provide protection. This could include intervention in cases of forced conversion, for example.
El-Shaddai is a global trans-national Philippine church. Many of the 'invisible' people who serve us in diners are Philippinos who belong to this church. Talk to them!
Ask what other churches in your community are doing to provide assistance to the global church. You may have a church in your neighborhood with contacts in a third-world country. Maybe you can work together with them.
But the most important mission direction today is from the South to the South: Koreans going to Muslim nations; Brazilians in Africa; Nigerians in India.
No comments:
Post a Comment