Shifting Center
In a 2004 presentation at ISFM, Todd Johnson shared (among other things) the following chart, based on estimates from World Christian Trends (2005).
This shows the shifting “center of gravity” of Christianity from “the West” (largely Whites) to “the non-West” (largely non-Whites). This was part of Signpost #1 - the increasing diversity of Christianity and its shift from “northern” to “southern.”
Given that the percentage of Christianity that is White or Western has dropped to 43%, obviously 57% of believers is now non-Western. What would have to happen for 57% of all the leaders, giftings, resources, creators, books, publications, etc., to be non-Western as well? And how should I, as one of the 43%, live and serve in this world?
Roundup
What happened to the unreached this week?
Each Friday I send a newsletter to over 2,400 mission activists, advocates, managers, field workers, and pastors - about what happened among the unreached, and what could happen next. Each issue comes with a curated list of nearly 100 links, and note why each is important. You can get on the list for free.