The Status of Global Mission in 2007
Interesting insights from the Status of Global Mission 2007 Report found here. (Research is done by David Barrett and Todd Johnson, world leaders in world missions research and this yearly report is probably the most comprehensive report we have on the Great Commission.)
An excerpt from Joel News on the 2007 report:
- The world’s religions are in the midst of a seismic shift.
- Islam and Hinduism are both slowing down considerably. And many more are “soft-Islam/Hindu” meaning they are only religious by default, not because they are active in their faith. India in particular is quickly becoming the world’s largest Christian democracy.
- More Muslims are converting to Christianity in our time than any other time in history.
- Downer: Ecclesial crime is on the rise - 24 billion US Dollars were embezzled last year, which is more than the worldwide church spends on global mission.
Thoughts?
Last 5 posts by Mark
- God is Wholly - October 2nd, 2008
- The Great Moderation - September 30th, 2008
March 6th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
i assume that the embezzled 24 billion was embezzled from the church???
March 6th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Yes sir - clergy themselves have their hands in the collection plates. This issue popped up in the news around Christmas last year, but the AMOUNT that was stolen is just now rising to the surface.
March 7th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Mark, do you think recognizing the seismic shift should make us aim at specific targets? Should we intentionally form relationships with Hindus and Muslims knowing that they could be more likely to accept our Lord than, say, a secular atheist or even a “non-practicing” Catholic? I know many emerging thoughts deal with these kinds of issues. I’d love to read what you think about this idea.
You don’t know me, but you have my prayers.
March 7th, 2007 at 11:44 am
First off - thanks so much for your prayers. They mean everything.
I think it is inappropriate to formulate “evangelistic projects” out of people simply because they are statistically in favor of reaching the result of conversion. We as Christians have done this for so long, and we have seen the result: Christians who are dumped off the bus the moment they convert and are basically given the charge of maturing themselves. (See http://godgrown.net/blog/2007/03/06/an-incomplete-list/)
That being said, I do think that Paul found a great deal of receptivity in “the Gentiles” as a whole, as opposed to “the Jews” in his mission efforts, and he intentionally went to Gentiles to seek out converts. Of course, he understood that not EVERY Gentile would be receptive, just as not EVERY Jew would try to stone him. What led Paul was not a demographic, but a Spirit’s call to preach Good News to the Gentiles.
I suppose for me I try to think organically - wherever there is good soil, God’s seed can grow. Sometimes God injects nutrients into whole people groups (like the dreams of a welcoming Christ that God is giving many Muslims are having sovereignly and independently of each other in recent years). I try my best to listen to Christ’s voice in the midst of every relationship - Do I continue to pursue this person’s heart? Am I a harvester, or a seed planter, or something else?
This is a good question…I don’t think we’ve fully answered it yet…do you have any thoughts?