These 7 Trends of Global Christianity in 2019 Will Surprise You

Aaron Earls : Jun 14, 2019
FactsandTrends.net

There are fewer atheists in the world today (138 million) than there were in 1970 (165 million)...

[FactsandTrends.net] Instead of evaluating Christianity based on a local or even national perspective, a global vantage point can provide a better picture of the status of the faith. (Image: Andrew Stutesman-Unsplash/via Facts and Trends)

The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary regularly publishes the Status of Global Christianity. Evaluating their research and predictions provides an encouraging and potential[ly] surprising picture for the current and future state of Christianity.

1. CHRISTIANITY IS GROWING FASTER THAN THE POPULATION

Globally, Christianity is growing at a 1.27% rate. Currently, there are 2.5 billion Christians in the world. The world's population, 7.7 billion, is growing at a 1.20% rate.

Islam (1.95%), Sikhs (1.66%) and Hindus (1.30%) are the only religious groups growing faster than Christianity, though followers of Jesus outnumber every other faith and are predicted to continue to do so at least through 2050.

2. PENTECOSTALS AND EVANGELICALS ARE GROWING THE FASTEST AND ARE STILL PICKING UP SPEED

Among Christian groups, Pentecostals (2.26%) and evangelicals (2.19%) are growing faster than others.

They are both also growing faster than they did just two years ago. In 2017, Pentecostals' growth rate was 2.22% and evangelicals was 2.12%.

3. ATHEISM HAS PEAKED

There are fewer atheists in the world today (138 million) than there were in 1970 (165 million).

Since 2000, atheism has rebounded slightly—only by 0.04%—but it is expected to decline again and fall below 130 million by 2050.

Agnosticism has maintained a small growth rate of 0.42%. After reaching 716 million this year, however, it is expected to drop below 700 million by 2050... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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