s changing . ch is changing . urch is changing .
This graphic tells the story of the shifting centre of World Christianity over the past 100 + years . Then , as now , around one third of the world ’ s population identify themselves as Christian . However , where Christians live is dramatically different ! From 1900 , where 82 % lived in the global north to 2020 where 67 % live in the global south 2 ( and growing !).
Australia
Asia
Oceania
And this is just one area of change .
The world is increasingly urban , as 56 % of the world ’ s population currently living in urban centres and by 2050 this is estimated to rise to nearly 70 % 3 .
Our Australian neighbourhoods and churches are increasingly intercultural , and there is a growing negative impact of climate change across the world , particularly among those already experiencing disadvantage .
Responding to God ’ s world as it actually is , we can see that the world is changing , the global church is changing and the Australian church is changing .
18 %
How should all this change impact the way we participate in God ’ s mission , locally and globally ?
67 %
We are on a journey of discerning the Future Directions of Baptist Mission Australia ’ s ministry . We look forward to sharing more about how we are responding to the Spirit ’ s leading in the midst of our changing world over the coming year . Stay tuned !
1 www . joshuaproject . net / people _ groups / statistics
2
World Christian Encyclopedia , 3rd edition Todd M . Johnson and Gina A . Zurlo
3 www . worldbank . org / en / topic / urbandevelopment / overview RESONATE ISSUE ISSUE 4237 | PAGE | 121