10 Facts About The Transforming Global Religious Landscape

The Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life conducted a comprehensive demographic study of over 230 countries and territories in 2012, and some of their results might surprise you.

Here are ten things that you should know about the current state of religion in today's world.

1. Religious 'Nones' Are Third-Largest Group
Religiously unaffiliated people are the third-largest "religious" group worldwide, behind Christians and Muslims. Roughly one-in-six people around the globe, 16.3%, are religious "nones."

MORE: 10 Facts About The Transforming Global Religious Landscape

Are All Christians Really Missionaries? | J.D. GREEAR

Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.”
Let that sink in for a minute. Quite a bold statement, isn’t it? This is a quote from the famous 19th Century British pastor and theologian, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He pastored one of the first megachurches of the modern era, The Metropolitan Tabernacle, in London. Thousands of people came to faith under his ministry and it’s estimated that he preached to upwards of 10 million people over the course of his life.
So, why would he say that every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor? Seems odd to me. Is he saying that every true follower of Christ should pack up their bags and move to Africa and become a missionary? That’s what a missionary is, right?
MORE: Are All Christians Really Missionaries? | J.D. GREEAR

Three ways to pray for missionaries | the Cripplegate

Missionaries need your prayers. Right now, there are people laboring for the Lord in difficult parts of the world, trying to advance their gospel. The outcome of their effort is connected to the work of prayer on their behalf, by those left behind. God is of course sovereign over the advance of the gospel; but God plans the ends as well as the means, and he has chosen to see the gospel advance through the power of prayer.  MORE: Three ways to pray for missionaries | the Cripplegate 

A Father’s Example Guides Tebow

(Seth Mydans, published in the NY TIMES)
LAMSUGOD, the Philippines — The last time Tim Tebow visited his father’s orphanage here in the remote hills of Mindanao island, he stood at the edge of a grassy yard and told the children to make a loop with their arms. Then, to their amazement, he threw a football right through them.
“He’s really good at throwing!” said the Rev. Roberto P. Gauran, 67, who runs the orphanage with his wife, Raymunda, 65. “At 30 meters he could hit dead center, or even farther.”    MORE

Without the Gospel, It’s Not Missions

(By: Trevin Wax)
"Today’s post is contributed by Jerry Rankin, president emeritus of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He blogs at The Rankin File.

The gospel and missions. This subject would appear to be a no-brainer and elicit a yawning “Duh, what’s the point?” Everyone knows missions is about proclaiming the gospel. Or do they? It is amazing the discussions I have had over the years with leaders of mission agencies, denominational executives and church pastors about what is missions.
I fought the battle in Southern Baptist circles for years on the need to give specialized emphasis to missions. The retort was that this was unnecessary since everything we do is missions. In reality, if missions is everything, then it is nothing. If it is everyone’s responsibility, then it is no one’s responsibility...."    MORE:

Idolatry is Biggest Obstacle to World Mission, Says U.K. Theologian
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – "Respected theologian Chris Wright gave a challenging critique Saturday of the evangelical movement when he said a disturbing number of its leaders are guilty of idolatry. God’s people today, like in the Old Testament, have fallen to worshiping the false gods and idols of the world, said the international director of U.K.-based Langham Partnerships as he spoke before the thousands attending the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangeliziation.
“Idolatry … is the biggest single obstacle to world mission,” said Wright, who will be the main drafter of the much-anticipated Cape Town Commitment that will come out of the weeklong gathering of mission-minded Christian leaders..."

Five Myths Christians Believe (Baptist Press)  "I used to believe that as long as I was "doing the Lord's work," God would protect me from physical harm with some kind of magic force field whenever I visited overseas mission fields.

Historical ignoramus that I was, it didn't dawn on me until years later that countless faithful believers have died through the ages from sickness, accidents, attacks or persecution while serving the Lord. Was I supposed to get a special exemption when they didn't?..."

101 Creative Ideas to Support World Missions (German Missionary Fellowship) "Create mission awareness:
•Get alongside new believers, disciple them, encourage them to explore and develop their gifts and to grow in various types of ministry in the church (children's work, youth meetings, evangelistic outreach, house groups).
•Create interest in mission—invite missionaries, have a world map in the church hall, mission information, adopt an unreached people group (prayer, info).
•Place missionary books on the church bookstall and in the church library.
•Give missionary books as a gift to specific people...."