Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Feb 04: Europe, The Church in Europe
Europe
World
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Geography
Area: 22,978,500 sq km74% is in the Russian Federation. This is 17% of the earth’s surface.
Population: 732,758,546 Annual Growth: 0.10%
Urbanites: 73%
Peoples
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 522,017,165 | 71.34 | -0.3 |
| Evangelicals | 18,342,106 | 2.5 | 1.1 |
Answer to Prayer
Positive and encouraging developments in the Church:Evangelicals are growing in strength, confidence and a sense of identityin most countries. This is demonstrated by the increase in an evangelical presence in mainline churches, which are otherwise declining, in the stability of conservative denominations and in the arrival of dynamic new evangelical and charismatic fellowships and networks onto the Church scene. All of this is modest compared to great gains in Asia and Africa but is light in an otherwise bleak European religious landscape.
The impact of evangelical and charismatic movements within the mainline confessions. The Church of England is significantly touched by renewal, by evangelical activism and especially by discipleship courses - the Alpha Course and Fresh Expressions being two of the most notable of these. Charismatic movements within Catholicism also touch many lives in Europe and beyond.
The emergence of patterns of church, worship, mission and social action which reflect spiritual authenticity, holism, social engagement, postmodernity and multiculturalism. These are especially strong among, but not limited to, young people.
The proliferation of new prayer movements such as 24/7 Prayer, the Global Day of Prayer, March for Jesus, boiler rooms, sustained prayer for the Muslim world during Ramadan as well as many national and local initiatives. Together, these mobilize unprecedented numbers of believers into corporate prayer.
The emergence of pan-European ministry, such as the European Evangelical Alliance (including initiatives like Mission-Net with its large European conferences), Hope for Europe, and Pro-Christ.
A growing ecumenism of the faithful that accepts theological and ecclesiological differences and recognizes the need for spiritual unity and cooperation in the face of increasing marginalization. Believers join across confessional, national and ethnic boundaries to maximize social, political and civic impact on the world’s most secular continent.
The positive impact of immigrant believers in European countries. Their presence and growth has offered new spiritual passion and confidence in the gospel that many flagging European churches need. They have also demonstrated that Christianity is a global and dynamic force, and not a relic of a bygone era.
For an additional 5 Answers to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Europe.The Church in Europe
Europe
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Challenge for Prayer
Most of the world’s ecclesiastical leaders are still based in Europe and hail from Europe. Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Reformed Churches and many others still look to Europe for spiritual leadership. The Christian world remains profoundly influenced from Europe – ironic in that it is by far the most secular and least religious continent.For an additional 7 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
