The Next Christendom . . .
In a book by Phil Jenkins (The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity), several startling demographic trends are noted, startling for those who live outside of Jesus' Body, the Church.
Jenkins notes how unlike the United Christendom of A.D. 33 - the 11th century split between Catholicism in the West and Eastern Orthodoxy in the East, and also unlike the Reformation split in Western Europe, now the "center of gravity" has decisively shifted. Africa, Latin America, Asia and the United States of America are now the "Next Christendom." Anglicanism is largely an African denomination now. Spanish is the predominate language among Catholics (not French, English or German as in centuries previous). Theologically, this shift has also washed away the views of Enlightenment Europe that denied the Presence of the Supernatural as part of every day affairs. Weeping statues of the Virgin Mary and Pentecostal healings, etc. are now normative world Christianity.
In short, Christianity throughout the world looks a lot more like Pentecostal Evangelist Benny Hinn than it does the staid, crusty Christendom of old as ensconced as it was in semi-pagan worldviews.
So, what will this mean to the Body of Jesus throughout the world?
First, we must work together across denominational and world geographical lines. Failure to support pastors in Africa on our own part means the potential advance of Islam.
Second, we must become more rigorous in the form of Christianity that we practice. Yes, we are saved by the Grace of Jesus Christ, His shed blood on the cross and the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but the Christianity that Jesus preached was truly radical . . . callings to renounce worldly pleasures for spiritual growth . . . callings to care for the poor, the homeless and the afflicted . . . callings to be Filled with the Holy Spirit and EMBOLDENED for Service, both through natural and supernatural giftings (healings). Now is the time to do things like fasting every Wednesday and Friday as both the Early Church and the Early Methodist Movement first did.
Third, politically, we must now stand as a unified national and even world political voice. If the United Nations attempts to impose its views of abortion upon the Third World, we must stand up and affirm a culture of life, while also assisting our Third World brother & sister in need through adequate food, clean water and the building/re-building of needed infrastructure for healthy agriculture and commerce to happen. Similarly, if the Democratic Party's leaders continue to affirm a "culture of death" of abortion, then we should challenge them with actual biological data, including photographs, of the horrors of abortion. We should also challenge Democrats to "practice what they preach" concerning helping the poor, the immigrant and the working class. No more cheap Christian votes for either political Party.
Finally, as the shift in global Christianity is happening, let us look to the excellent leadership of Pope Benedict XVI, a "scholar's scholar" who is also a humble servant leader.