Only those who justify their requests for evangelistic donations seem to believe the institutional church is in a constant and continued state of expansionism. The reality, however, is far from it. Europe, once the citadel of Christendom, is now a secular state. Islam is making powerful inroads there. Many believe England may be an Islamic state within the next ten years. The church in China is secret, meaning that any statement about robust growth there is a patent lie. Japan is embracing its ancient culture and missions there are in a state of spiritual anorexia. India, S.A. and Central America are mirror images of the Asian cultural direction. Africa, once a continent of Christian growth, is once again being subjected to constant wars - sponsored by warlords within, prosecuted by western powers from outside (the US has invaded four central African nations in the past two years), and ravaged by a twenty first century version of financial colonialism from China. Christendom is experiencing a near-fatal case of apathy and apostacy.
Those that deny Christianity is in trouble need only have sincere and private discussions with those who've visited those lands and countries I've mentioned (beginning with yours truly) to hear and see for themselves what is and is not happening there. After two thousand years of unlimited opportunity and expansion, the church has begun to wither on the vine.
On the other hand, Islam is experiencing a tsunami of unprecedented growth. Even Muslim leaders cannot explain it. After centuries of having to apologize to themselves and to their adherents that Allah had not granted them the growth they'd hoped for, they are now seeing something they could not have imagined possible. Islam is the future.
The fortunes of Islam are the reverse of the fortunes of the institutional church. Where the gospel of Christ grows, Islam withers. When Islam is in the forefront of global spiritualism, the gospel withers.
Understanding the present nature and future of the church is imperative to moving forward and redefining or rediscovering the foundations of the gospel has never been more important. The questions submitted today are -
1. How may the gospel be defined in the present atmosphere of Islamic growth?
2. How may the gospel be present in a culture of hedonism and sin? (Or do we turn our backs on it and leave the country as Lot did?)
3. Does anybody care and if so where are they? (They aren't in Central Florida, that's for sure.)