Challenges to Church and Mission in the 21st Century— The cultural landscape

Abstract

I believe that it was Professor Edward Blaiklock of New Zealand who said that, of all the intervening centuries, the twentieth century was most like the first century. If he were alive today I think that he might conclude that the twenty-first century will be most like the first century. Why? Simply because the challenges that Christian churches and missions will face in the century ahead are as unprecedented as those faced by the early church in the first century! There are numerous challenges of various kinds, but I have dealt with three cultural that may prove to be crucial. Time will tell.