God’s Project The Worldwide Church and us

Mission Statement For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 2:14

Defining Our Terms The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Luke 7:22

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Luke 7:22

Two Key Principles God is Proactive The Message is for All People

God is Proactive

The Message is for All People

God is Proactive The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.“ Genesis 12:1

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.“

Genesis 12:1

God is Proactive For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

God is Proactive When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Acts 2:1,2

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:1,2

For All People "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:2,3

"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Genesis 12:2,3

For All People In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD… Isaiah 2:2,3

In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD…

Isaiah 2:2,3

For All People “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

“ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

For All People

Two Principles Combined All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language Acts 2:4-6

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language

Acts 2:4-6

Christianity is a Translated Religion

No Holy City For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Hebrews 13:14

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

Hebrews 13:14

No Holy Language After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. Revelation 7:9

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:9

Lamin Sanneh Christianity seems unique in being the only world religion that is transmitted without the language or originating culture of its founder.

Christianity seems unique in being the only world religion that is transmitted without the language or originating culture of its founder.

Acts: God is Proactive The Disciples missed the point and hung around in Jerusalem Got the idea when Stephen was martyred. Paul showed the way.

The Disciples missed the point and hung around in Jerusalem

Got the idea when Stephen was martyred.

Paul showed the way.

Acts: For All People Once again, the disciples missed the point Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8) Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10) General confusion across the Church. (Galatians) Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15)

Once again, the disciples missed the point

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8)

Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10)

General confusion across the Church. (Galatians)

Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15)

End of 1 st Century

End of 2nd Century

End of 3rd Century

The Church AD 32 - AD 313 Grassroots, decentralized movement. Functioning On the margins of society and underground. Social Position No dedicated sacral buildings. Services often underground or persecuted. Buildings

Constantine: A State Religion Edict of toleration 313 AD. Baptized in 337 AD. Christianity become the Roman state religion under Theodocius 398 AD.

Edict of toleration 313 AD.

Baptized in 337 AD.

Christianity become the Roman state religion under Theodocius 398 AD.

God’s Project 500AD

6th Century

632 AD

750 AD

A European Faith.

God’s Project 1000 AD

A European Faith.

A European Faith Culturally Theologically Politically

Culturally

Theologically

Politically

The Church AD 313 - Today? Institutional and hierarchical notion of leadership and structure. Functioning Church is perceived as central to society and the surrounding culture. Social Position Buildings are central to the notion and experience of church. Buildings

Christendom

God’s Project 1500AD

Reality Check God is proactive  For all people  X X Europe is filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea!

God is proactive 

For all people 

God’s Re-engineering Renaissance Age of Discovery Reformation Printing Press

Renaissance

Age of Discovery

Reformation

Printing Press

Post Reformation Missions Catholic Missions Dynamic: Tied to voyages of conquest. Protestant Missions More or less absent for two hundred years.

Catholic Missions

Dynamic: Tied to voyages of conquest.

Protestant Missions

More or less absent for two hundred years.

Early Catholic Missions

Protestant Missions Protestantism in 1600

Protestant Missions Protestantism in 1792: Spread by emigration.

First Wave Of Missions Protestant activity in 1865: Denominational missions to coastal lands

Second Wave of Missions Protestant activity in 1910: Inland/Interior Missions

Christendom Missions The Gospel Intertwined with Western Values: Culturally Theologically Politically.

The Gospel Intertwined with Western Values:

Culturally

Theologically

Politically.

God’s Project 1900AD

Third Wave of Missions Protestant Activity 1965: Missions to unreached peoples.

Gods Project 2000AD

20 C. Church Growth

Languages With Scripture

African Church Growth

When? Most church growth occurred in the post-colonial and post-mission period

Most church growth occurred in the post-colonial and post-mission period

When? Since the spread of Christianity had closely coincided with imperial expansion, it seemed certain that the fate of the religion would be affected by the breakup of the old European empires. The breakup process extended for about half a century after the Second World War. The Soviet empire was the last great vestige of European colonialism, collapsing in 1991. Yet with a few exceptions, the new churches survived and flourished. Just as Western colonialism ended, Christianity began a period of explosive growth that still continues unchecked, above all in Africa. Whatever their image in popular culture, Christian missionaries of the colonial era succeeded remarkably.

Since the spread of Christianity had closely coincided with imperial expansion, it seemed certain that the fate of the religion would be affected by the breakup of the old European empires. The breakup process extended for about half a century after the Second World War. The Soviet empire was the last great vestige of European colonialism, collapsing in 1991. Yet with a few exceptions, the new churches survived and flourished. Just as Western colonialism ended, Christianity began a period of explosive growth that still continues unchecked, above all in Africa.

Whatever their image in popular culture, Christian missionaries of the colonial era succeeded remarkably.

Response to the Message Why did Africans and Asians adopt Christianity? One all-too-obvious explanation is that individuals came to believe the message offered, and found this the best means of explaining the world around them. Their convictions are illustrated by the many stories of zeal in the face of persecution. Philip Jenkins

Why did Africans and Asians adopt Christianity? One all-too-obvious explanation is that individuals came to believe the message offered, and found this the best means of explaining the world around them. Their convictions are illustrated by the many stories of zeal in the face of persecution.

Philip Jenkins

The Centre Has Shifted

The Centre Has Shifted

The Centre has Shifted We are currently living through one of the transforming moments in the history of religion worldwide… The Christian center of gravity has shifted to Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

We are currently living through one of the transforming moments in the history of religion worldwide… The Christian center of gravity has shifted to Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The Centre has Shifted By 2050, only about 1/5 of the world’s 3 billion Christians will be non-Hispanic Whites. The era of Western Christianity has passed within our lifetimes…. The emerging Christian world will be anchored in the Southern continents. Philip Jenkins

By 2050, only about 1/5 of the world’s 3 billion Christians will be non-Hispanic Whites. The era of Western Christianity has passed within our lifetimes…. The emerging Christian world will be anchored in the Southern continents.

Philip Jenkins

The Centre Has Shifted Which country has the most students involved in campus Christian Groups? Nigeria

Which country has the most students involved in campus Christian Groups?

The Centre Has Shifted Which country has the most members of Operation Mobilisation? INDIA!

Which country has the most members of Operation Mobilisation?

The Centre Has Shifted Which country sends out the most missionaries per head of the Christian population? Singapore!

Which country sends out the most missionaries per head of the Christian population?

Reality Check God is proactive  For all people    The earth is being filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea!

God is proactive 

For all people 

Timbuktu: Mali

Afghanistan

Action Items Renew your confidence in God The Project is On Track! Expect changes in leadership The South Is Rising! Rethink Mission Mission is from everywhere to everywhere. Think Outside of the Box.

Renew your confidence in God

The Project is On Track!

Expect changes in leadership

The South Is Rising!

Rethink Mission

Mission is from everywhere to everywhere.

Think Outside of the Box.