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The challenge of secular Europe:
Sometime after his return to Europe after decades in India as a missionary, Lesslie Newbigin delivered an address titled, “Can the West Be Converted?” In his remarks (reprinted in International Bulletin of Missionary Research, 11(1), Jan. 1987, pp. 2-7), Newbigin expressed surprise that this continent, which once sustained a massive outreach in mission all around the world, had become a post-Christian or pagan culture. That realization caused Newbigin to make the following observation: “If one looks at the world scene from a missionary point of view, surely the most striking fact is that, while in great areas of Asia and Africa the church is growing, often growing rapidly, in the lands which were once called Christendom it is in decline; and, moreover, wherever the culture of the West, under the name of ‘modernisation,’ penetrates, it carries with it what Lippmann, called ‘the acids of modernity,’ dissolving the most enduring of religious beliefs including the beliefs of Christians. Surely there can be no more crucial question for the world mission of the church than the one I have posed. Can there be an effective missionary encounter with this culture, this so powerful, persuasive, and confident culture which (at least until very recently) simply regarded itself as ‘the coming world civilization.’ ” Newbigin went on to describe Europe as a pagan society whose public life is ruled by beliefs that are false. And, he said, “Because it is not a pre-Christian paganism, but a paganism born out of the rejection of Christianity, it is far tougher and more resistant to the gospel than the pre-Christian paganisms with which foreign missionaries have been in contact during the past 200 years.” Against that backdrop, Newbigin made the following telling observation: “Here, without possibility of question, is the most challenging missionary frontier of our time.” This observation by Newbigin—that Europe is the most challenging missionary frontier of our time—is for the most part uncontested, except, of course, in our reflexive mindset. The image of mission embedded deep in the recesses of our minds is that of “civilized” people seeking to enlighten benighted savages. So, it is still very difficult for us to think of Europe as a “mission field.” The evidence, however, is overwhelming enough for Patrick Jenkins to make the following observation: “Looking at the spread of mosques across urban Europe, it would be easy to believe that Islam might indeed be Europe’s future religion” (The Next Christendom, Oxford University Press, 2002). While the challenge in Europe seems colossal, there are also encouraging trends. Jenkins reminds us that against these somber realities of the decline of the traditional churches in Europe, there is great hope in the fact that in Germany and Switzerland, there are enough independent African churches to form their own separate federation or conference. In addition, Great Britain is now home to a substantial network of African and Caribbean churches, and about half of all churchgoers in London are black. “When we measure the declining strength of Christianity in Europe,” Jenkins observes, “we must remember how much leaner the statistics would be if not for the recent immigrants and their children, the new Europeans” (Jenkins, pp. 98-99). The Mennonite Mission Network Europe mission-strategy consultation, held May 19-23, 2004 in Paris, noted the strategic opportunity for a revitalized Christian presence on European soil through the many European immigrants who are Christian. The historical importance of Europe in the story of the Christian movement and the millions of unchurched (less than 10 percent attending church in Western Europe) who do not know Jesus should be a great concern for Christians everywhere. Jenkins’ evidence shows that many Christians from Africa, Asia and Latin America have recognized the challenge and have responded with missional passion. As North American Christians who have embraced a vision of becoming a missional people, we cannot ignore this challenge and opportunity. I invite you to consider how you may make a difference for the future of the church on that continent through your prayers for our workers in Europe; through sharing your resources to support the ministries that are seeking to share the gospel and strengthen the church there; or through considering whether God is calling you to invest your life in being a part of the cause of Christ’s kingdom in one of the most compelling mission fields of the 21st century. Also in this issue: Features Related articles Regular features |
