The Future of the Global Church: History, Trends and Possibilities

by Patrick Johnstone

Overview

• The 2013 Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year in Global Outreach

In The Future of the Global Church, Patrick Johnstone, author of six editions of the phenomenal prayer guide, Operation World, draws on his fifty years experience to challenge us with his bold vision of the global Christian church.The Future of the Global Church weaves together the strands of history, demographics and religion to present a breathtaking, full-color graphical and textual overview of the past, present and possible future of the church around the world.Through a thought-provoking glimpse into likely scenarios humankind may face in the next 40 years, The Future of the Global Church identifies significant trends that are rarely or never addressed by today's media.The Future of the Global Church highlights the impact of evangelical Christianity over the past two centuries, as well as the astonishing growth of Evangelicalism over the past half century.Johnstone focuses clearly on the unfinished task of world evangelization, with a special emphasis on the world's 12,000 people groups—especially those that have had least exposure to the gospel.Inside this work, you will find:

• Data and extrapolations that highlight likely scenarios for evangelical Christian ministry in the coming four decades
• Interpreted overviews of the worldwide impact of the first 20 centuries of Christianity
• Comparisons of the impact of Christianity with those of other world religions
• Summaries of the past, present and probable future contributions of the different streams of Christianity

This book examines trends that will have a major impact on the course of world events for a generation to come. God is in control—He holds the future in His hands—yet invites us to be His coworkers. How effective are you and your church or your organization as participants in His plan for the peoples of the world?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830856954
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	01/17/2014
Series:	Operation World Resources
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 11.60(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Patrick Johnstone is well known and respected as researcher and author of the first six editions of Operation World. Patrick also wrote The Church Is Bigger Than You Think. Patrick is married to Robyn, and together they serve as pastors-at-large to the WEC missionaries in Europe.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Colour codes
Definitions
Abbreviations

1 Demography: Nine Global Challenges
2 History: 20 Centuries AD
3 Religion: The Major Streams
4 Christianity: Six Megablocs
5 Christianity: Renewal Growth
6 Christianity: The Evangelical Explosion
7 The Unevangelized
8 Christian Missions and the Future
9 Conclusion: An Evangelized World?

Select Bibliography and Databases
Electronic Editions and Resources

Editorial Reviews

"This unique body of knowledge provides a treasure chest of resources to understand the current demographics of global challenge."

Robert L. Gallagher

"This book is unlike any other book this reviewer has on his bookshelf. . . . This is a book that anyone interested in the world Christian movement will want to have. Pastors and others with any significant responsibility for their churches' missions programs will want to become especially familiar with it, and should refer to it often in gauging where their churches should focus their global missional attention. . . . Any believer who wants to be well-informed and awed by what God is doing around the world will enjoy frequently picking up and dipping into The Future of the Global Church."

Stephen J. Strauss

"Johnstone has written an excellent work that will be studied all over the world."

Jan A. B. Jongeneel

"The Future of the Global Church is a highly recommended resource for the modern church as we assess our role in the world and pray about the future."

Vox Reformata

"Johnstone has written what is likely his magnum opus, a book that deserves careful perusal and a place on the bookshelves of any mission-passionate Christian."

Justin D. Long

"The Future of the Global Church is a highly recommended resource for the modern church as we assess our role in the world and pray about the future."

--Vox Reformata, 2013

"Johnstone has written what is likely his magnum opus, a book that deserves careful perusal and a place on the bookshelves of any mission-passionate Christian."

--Justin D. Long, Evangelical Missions Quarterly, October 2012

"This book is unlike any other book this reviewer has on his bookshelf. . . . This is a book that anyone interested in the world Christian movement will want to have. Pastors and others with any significant responsibility for their churches' missions programs will want to become especially familiar with it, and should refer to it often in gauging where their churches should focus their global missional attention. . . . Any believer who wants to be well-informed and awed by what God is doing around the world will enjoy frequently picking up and dipping into The Future of the Global Church."

--Stephen J. Strauss, Bibliotheca Sacra, April-June 2013

"Johnstone has written an excellent work that will be studied all over the world."

--Jan A. B. Jongeneel, International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Vol. 36, No. 2

"This unique body of knowledge provides a treasure chest of resources to understand the current demographics of global challenge."

--Robert L. Gallagher, Outreach Magazine, "Resources of the Year" issue, March/April 2013

From the Publisher