While many see the church in Europe declining in membership due to secularization, Dutch director at World Vision Evert-Jan Ouweneel is optimistic. “Christianity in Europe is not going down the drain, but it’s in a revolutionary transition. We are being forced to reinvent the Gospel and the Church, and to (in a way) start all over again – what is the Gospel and why is it good news to our society? Wonderful questions for pioneers.”
“Western European Christianity has become morally powerless… and lacks spiritual conviction… and today’s young people have a whole new religious spectrum to choose from.” He continues, “There’s no longer an economic advantage to being a Christian. So… those who still attend a church do so out of real conviction.” “That brings me to the hidden strength of today’s European Christianity: we’re learning to live with our weaknesses and failures, which gives us a whole new experience of surrender to God’s peace and grace. From a gospel of human strength we move to a gospel of humility and meekness. We know that God’s strength can only be manifested when we are weak.”
This also changes the Church. “We should stop planning and controlling the Church and jumping to the next growth formula. What matters is whether we are available for God with empty hands, so He can use us in the way He wants… It’s time for a contrasting Christianity that beams peace in uncertain times,” Ouweneel says.
Source: Evert-Jan Ouweneel – Joel News International
BIBLE STUDY: Acts 2:42-47
PRAISE: God that He is strong when we are weak. Pray that in weak humility the Church in Europe will experience a new infusion of Christ’s power.