Covid-19 is an opportunity for European mission agencies to reflect deeply once again on the meaning of mission in today’s world.
One of the key questions it raises is whether it has made sense to have invested so heavily in huge buildings, since social distancing restrictions have forced many churches to think about how to make small gatherings work, not just big ones.
Another is that while churches can now reach more people through our online gatherings, does that constitute real community and discipleship?
These are two of the keynote issues raised in Europe 2021: A Missiological Report, by Jim Memory of European Christian Mission. The report seeks to identify and address ‘the crucial issues and trends which are shaping the context for Christian mission in Europe today’.
It also ‘provides an analysis of the key political, economic, social, environmental, and technological trends; of the most important spiritual challenges; and of the shifts in mission thinking that are impacting the practice of Christian mission today. And in every case it considers how the Covid-19 has impacted these trends’.
Kent Anderson, British Director of European Christian Mission, said: ‘If you only listen to the secular media you’ll think the church is dying. But this report offers a different view. There are encouragements, such as the impact of diaspora churches. There are insights, such as how Covid-19 is affecting ministry and society. There are concerns, such as the growth of Islam.
‘Many of the trends going on across Europe can be seen in the UK as well. This report will help church leaders to better understand how these trends are affecting their own spiritual context and think about how to respond.’
Chris Wright of Langham Partnership commented: ‘Thoroughly documented from secular sources and theological expertise, this is the kind of resource that is increasingly needed for intelligent Christian engagement in our alarmingly changed world.’
