Posted on 07/04/2020 10:53:14 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
A study highlighting seven encouraging trends within global Christianity was released by Facts & Trends. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Christianity is growing faster than the population
Aaron Earls, the author, says, “Globally, Christianity is growing at a 1.27% rate…. The world’s population, 7.7 billion, is growing at a 1.20% rate.”
A .07% difference may not seem substantial to you. But remember, we’re talking about almost 8 billion people.
What this means:
Many people believe Christianity has gone out of style and is in decline — that the only people who are Christians today are those raised by Christian parents. However, this statistic tells us that new people are coming to faith every day.
2. Pentecostals and Evangelicals are the fastest growing branch of Christianity
Earls points out that a subgroup of Christianity, Evangelicals, and a subgroup of Evangelicalism, Pentecostals, are the two fastest-growing groups within Christianity. Additionally, they are picking up speed as they are also growing faster than they were just a couple of years ago.
Evangelicalism is growing at a rate of 2.19% compared to 2.12% in 2017. Pentecostalism is growing at a rate of 2.26% compared to 2.22% in 2017.
What this means:
Global trends give us a glimpse of what God is doing in the world. Evangelicals are generally known for their commitment to the Word of God. Pentecostals are often known for their emphasis on unique experiences with the Holy Spirit. Could this be a hint of what God wants His people to be focused on in this season of history?
3. Atheism is in decline
Despite all the airtime atheism seems to get, the number of people who subscribe to this worldview is a very small number, and it’s getting smaller. Earls says, “There are fewer atheists in the world today (138 million) than there were in 1970 (165 million).”
What this means:
People are more spiritual than you might think. Something inside us tells us there must be more to life than what we can see.
4. Christianity is growing in urban areas, but it may not seem like it
In major cities, Christianity is growing at a rate of 1.58%. However, if it doesn’t seem like it’s growing in cities, it’s because the general population of urban areas is growing much faster than that at 2.15%.
What this means:
We need to work hard and pray hard to expand our impact in cities and show people the love of God.
5. The focal point of Christianity has shifted geographically
America was once regarded as a Christian nation, and “twice as many Christians [once] lived in Europe than in the rest of the world combined” Earls says. Not anymore. The epicenter of Christianity has moved south from North America and Europe to South America and Africa.
What this means:
This statistic is a reminder that God is not limited by geography. It also reminds us that God is moving in all of the world, not just in the west.
6. Christianity is growing in popularity
According to Earls, “In 1900, only 5.5% of non-Christians knew a Christian. Today, that has grown to 18.3%.” Both of these numbers may sound small to you, but remember these are global statistics, averaging numbers from Western countries to persecuted nations and everything in between.
What this means:
This stat may suggest that Christians as a whole feel more freedom to openly discuss their beliefs in certain parts of the world than they have in the past.
7. More people have heard the gospel now than ever before
Earls shares that, “More than half of the world’s population in 1900 (54.3%) were unevangelized. That percentage continues to shrink, dropping to 28.4% in 2019.”
What this means:
Christians worldwide are obeying the Great Commission to “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” (Mark 16:15)
LightWorkers’ mission is to create engaging, uplifting and inspirational content that breaks through the clutter, building a community of sharing and igniting a movement in the real world that motivates people to celebrate and share the good all around them.
Really, most of the points surprised me, but #5 did not. Have seen that in our denomination
#2 is not surprising; lukewarm churches lose members and don’t understand why pandering doesn’t work. Bible-believing churches gain members because of the Gospel.
Exactly. Number 5 is actually the least surprising data point on that list.
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Those countries with vibrant and growing Christian populations have bright futures.
The USA... not so much.
Re #5, there is a lot going on in China and India, too.
Not mentioned but I believe is the most powerful occurrence of all:
As Prophesied in Jude 3, God is restoring around the world the true gospel of the grace of Christ “which was once delivered to the saints”. People are sick and tired of the law and its demands that they can never keep. Enter the supply of the grace of God in Christ who is able to save to the uttermost.
The true gospel of grace will shortly cause a worldwide incoming of souls as prophesied in Luke 14:23 after which Jesus takes his own outta here and along with the departure of the Holy Spirit, will commence seven years of the most unimaginable horror ever seen on earth. Before this century is over IMO.
We don’t know the day or the hour of this departure triggering the seven-year tribulation, but we DO know the “times and the seasons”(I Thess. 5:1).
The “times” are that we are now in the 21st Century, the beginning of the seventh millennium which is God’s rest (Jesus 1000-year rule on earth as the Prince of Peace).
The “seasons” are the coalescing of all the elements that will manifest in the tribulation, among which are: the beginnings of Israel turning to their Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus the Messiah), the rise of the spirit of antichrist in the Left, the proliferation of nuclear capabilities among unstable nations, the rise of homosexuality, and the rise of Islamic Supremacy from which the “Twelfth Imam” AKA the “beast”) will arise (but only after the departure of God’s own).
Many scoff at this, but Peter warns, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
Come Lord Jesus.
The most surprizing aspect was not even mentioned, that is church buildings and church building attendance (precovid) is way down. Christians are returning to the Acts type of church and faith growing. No need of a church building or a “leader” telling me what i need to know.
Depends some on what is meant by Chritian.
Considering the growth of the prosperity gospel nonsense, which names Christ as a window dressing, I doubt the actual number of true Christians is what it has been in the past.
God knows who are His and there are going to be a lot of surprises some day.
You’re absolutely correct. The growth is in the extreme Charismatic movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation founded by C. Peter Wagner of Fuller Theological Seminary in California. They believe that self-appointed apostles and prophets are going to bring about the millennium once the Seven Mountains are conquered by NAR leaders. The “mountains” include education, government, entertainment, business, etc. In other words, Christ won’t return until they have prepared the way for Him. And when He returns, He will put them in charge. It’s completely un-Biblical.
They also believe they are endowed with the same supernatural powers that the original Apostles who followed Jesus had. They also claim that Jesus was not God, that he was merely a man in right relationship with God (the Kenosis heresy). So, they, too, can perform the same miracles He did. Go online and search “The Send” with Engle’s name. It is disturbing to see the tens of thousands of mostly young people in enormous stadiums who are buying this garbage. These charismatic leaders are developing cults and it is frightening.
The NAR is completely un-biblical but it is sweeping many extreme Charismatic/Pentecostal groups. Some of the prominent “apostles” of the Movement are Bill Johnson of Bethel Church, Brian Houston of Hillsong Church, Lou Giglio of Passion City Church, Rodney-Howard Brown in Florida, Lou Engle of the International House of Prayer, and others. It incorporates old heresies such as the Word-Faith movement and what is now called the prosperity gospel, along with the Seven Mountains Mandate. These are false prophets and false teachers and their apostasy is spreading like wildfire, especially in Latin America and Africa. They have massive gatherings in this country, too. Steve Furtick of Elevation Church is closely associated with them, as is Joel Osteen. They lead enormous, non-denominational megachurches but they are not preaching the Gospel. (By the way, if your church is using their music in your worship services, you are supporting them through licensing fees.)
Search Heidi Baker of Bethel Church. Watch the video of her online as she leads an “impartation” ceremony during which people jerk uncontrollably, fling themselves on the floor and scream and cry as she repeats mantras and takes the Lord’s name in vain. Look up the “Toronto Blessing” online and watch people totally out of control of their bodies exhibiting deranged behavior as they fall over laughing uncontrollably. It resembles the behavior of followers of Kundalini Cult practices in India and elsewhere. It’s shocking and chilling.
Search Bill Johnson of Bethel Church on the Internet. He claims angel feathers and gold dust appear during his services, in restaurants, and in the homes of his followers, and are evidence of the presence of the Almighty. These people are scam artists masquerading as men of God. They’re making millions of dollars off deluded, naive worshipers who are desperate for an “experience” in worship services. It’s disgusting. The spread of “Christianity” is found in the “churches” of these charlatans and it is not the Christianity of the Bible. The false prophets and false teachers the Bible warns us about are spreading their apostasy everywhere especially TBN. It should be of concern to every Bible-believing Christian. No one should be fooled by any of it.
I have done that and agree with you wholeheartedly.
There’s a book out called Kundalini Warning: Are False Spirits Invading the Church? by Andrew Strom.
He has you tube videos that are very good, and I got the book on the recommendation of a friend and it also is very good.
I had some friends who I came to discover were actually into this. They think Ken Copeland is the final word in Christianity. They believe everything he says.
The stuff is spiritual poison and yet very seductive. It appeals to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. I finally had to cut ties with them for my own sake.
Christianity will go nowhere as long as it is completely feminized. Bring men back to the church.
Ever hear of the "anointed Bible" experiences?
Bibles that "leak" oil.
There was a church in San Francisco where someone assures me this really happened.
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