WORLD TRENDS AND CHALLENGES; That Influences the Church
Prepared by RRN
12/09/2016
I. Global Trends
1. Growing Middle Class and Widening Inequalities
The human race is growing older and richer with a growing middle class and widening
inequalities. It is growing older particularly in the western countries due to improved
health care systems. The growing middle class is due to the inter-migration of workers
between developed and, under developed and developing countries. Higher earning
opportunities becomes accessible to many migrant workers. This chance to earn better
wages usually are not available from their country of origin. On the dimmer side those
who are not able to avail of overseas job opportunities due to lack of qualifications are
driven further to desperation and poverty.
a. Increase in peoples movement and migration
b. Rise in social and material sophistication
c. Gaps/inequalities within societies widen
d. Rise of anti governance suspicion and sentiments
2. Transformation of Societies through Technologies and Applications
According to the EU report 2015, Global Trends to 2030 the convergence of digital,
biological and industrial technologies and the proliferation of digital tools that are
available and affordable to large multitudes, everywhere and for virtually any purpose,
will fundamentally change the way economies and societies are functioning. The new
Knowledge Society presents huge opportunities, in terms of productivity and average
welfare gains and empowerment of the individual.
a. Accessibility of knowledge and information
b. The Knowledge Society
c. Increase in productivity & breakthroughs in economic, science, health and security
management
d. Empowerment of individual to communicate socially
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3. The Challenges of Managing Scarcity of Resources
The challenges to provide food, shelter, clothes and essential human needs for the
growing human population is becoming insurmountably difficult.The world resources is
slowly being depleted due to ecological changes, pollution and irresponsible
environmental management. In addition wars, political and trade conflicts among nations
hinders the flow of goods needed for human consumptions.
a. Increasing population and depleting natural resources
b. Air, land & water pollution.
c. Manipulated food production
4. The Fragile and Unpredictable World Order
World governance through the international and other regional governing bodies is
becoming more wearisome. World order and peace has become fragile and unpredictable
because of high probability of more conflicts among religions, ethnic groups, ideologues
and nations. The system of political governance which normally works and stabilizes the
economy and society of a country are slowly being replaced by populists autocratic
leaders and militant concern groups. Nationalism and segregation are some of the factors
that brings this change. Ironically, in spite of the international advocacy against prejudice
and on protection of human rights, racial, ethnic and religious discrimination continue to
be unabated. National emotion towards influx of migration stimulates nationalism.
Similarly, international and national laws perceived to favor specific social, religious &
ethnic groups stirs social emotion towards segregation. National and social emotions are
driving factors that propels many nations, peoples & social group to the right. In the
process more humans are discriminated and violated.
a. High risk of conflict between societies, ethnic groups, cultures, religions and nations
due to ideologue, intolerance and extremism.
b. Economic and security interdependence and alliances between nations that
undermine global peace.
c. Failed and corrupted states causing impoverishment and human dislocation.
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II. Influence of Global Trends to the Church
The church is made up of humans who lives among humans. As such the church will be
influenced by global trends. The church must change with the way it views and relate to
the world. If the church wishes to continue its role as the ambassador of Christ it must
adapt a biblical worldview. The church must consider on one hand, to loosen its dogmatic
purview of the world but, on the other hand strive to be self differentiated in life and
conduct. The church must take seriously the words of Christ, It must die to itself. It
must die to its ideology, extravagance, apathy, self exaltation and ambition. Though
majority of the world will remain believers in deities, the concept of faith, God and
humanity is expected to change as fast as the digital world is advancing. Christian ethics
and faith will be challenge as the world interprets new ethical principles and personalized
beliefs.
Growing Middle Class and Widening Inequalities
a. High expectation and demand from the church to fill the unfulfilled needs and
responsibilities.
b. Materialism and consumerism
c. Lack of loyalty
d. Inequalities within the church
Technologies and Application
a. Amalgamated source of theology (music, internet)
b. Personalized theology
c. Pragmatism and Relative theology
d. Partition of life
Managing Scarcity of Resources
a. Breadwinning pressures
b. Illness and health issues
c. Environmental ethics
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Fragile and Unpredictable World
a. Undercurrent tensions of ideology and opinion within the church
b. Emergent churches
c. Displaced peoples group (refugees, minorities, victims) particularly in Europe and
nations experiencing conflicts.
III. Challenges to Churches
Considering the above global trends and the challenges to the churches what are the
things that must be address so that the church can preserve its identity, continuity and
discontinuity and substantive practices in order to perpetuate biblical faith communities?
What must be taught and learned by leaders and their communities?
Church Stability Driving Forces
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1. Community maturity
The stability of a church community or of a nation is dependent to the maturity
of the constituent in terms of faith, practice, and wisdom. Maturity in faith entails
a clear understanding of the ethos of the community and not mere confession of
faith. This means that the community embraces a common identity, purpose and
life principles, which in this case is derive from the teachings of Jesus Christ.
A matured community possess a liturgical life that expressed their faith. This
means that the communitys behavior, relationships and services are expressions
of worship and faith. The source of their communal practice is a well informed
biblical worldview.
A community matures as it accumulates wisdom and understanding from its
journey. They acquire tenets and wisdom that are learnt through trials,
difficulties, triumphs and defeat. In all these experiences the peoples knowledge
of God, humanity and themselves are deepen. Truth becomes a norm.
2. Community resources
Every community needs resources in order to live. In the same manner church
communities need to earn from their source of living in order to enjoy the life
that God gave them, to bless and to care for their families. It is a common
mistake among church leaders to compartmentalized the life of Gods people into
secular and the sacred. The church or God is only interested with the sacred,
meaning the church activities. But God is Lord even of the secular world. If a
church has to outlived its present community, the sacredness of life must be
extended into the peoples job, business, profession and studies.
3. Finances
Financial resources and assets are needed to sustain the growth a community. But
this aspect that drives the stability of community is dependent upon the maturity
of the people. The church community must have a healthy and theological
attitude towards finances. The church financial resources are divinely provided
and must therefore be utilized to do ministry of divine concern. Traditionally,
Christendom
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4. Praxis/Change
Prophets are not sent by God just to predict the future, but they are sent in order
to address the behavior or the praxis of the people to changing environment that
threatens the worship and faith life of the community. A strong community is able
to adapt changes in their communal life and behavior without abandoning its
identity, meaning and purpose.
5. Witness & Partnership
As followers of Christ, the church community is mandated to witness to the
world the Lordship of Christ and make disciples. The church is missional in
relating & dealing with the world. A strong church that grows is mindful of its
witness to the world and willing to extend its service to the needy.
