A remarkable event as global Anglicanism re-aligns

The global shape of the Christian church has seen a paradigm shift in recent years. Churches in the global south, originally planted with much sacrifice by missionaries in partnership with early indigenous converts, have multiplied exponentially. In contrast, Christian affiliation and influence and church attendance in the formerly Christian global north and west continues to decline rapidly.

In the more economically developed countries, mainline historic denominations have seen catastrophic collapse in attendance, despite retaining economic assets, while newer churches are holding their own or growing slightly. There is an undeniable close link between this decline and failure to hold on to and communicate the apostolic gospel.

But the growth of the church in the global south is only one part of the paradigm shift. Another is the growth of new churches in Europe and North America planted by immigrant populations. Increasing numbers of Christians from Africa, Asia and Latin America, whose great-great grandparents came to faith in Christ and received education and development through missionaries from the UK, now themselves call the UK their home. They are either contributing to the life of existing churches, or starting new diaspora congregations, some of which are now the largest in the country.