Why face of global Christianity is changing

Why face of global Christianity is changing

BOGOTA, Colombia — Three factors changing the face of global Christianity are the rise of the faith in Africa, the rise of independent Christianity and the rise of Christians who self-identify separately from Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants.

That’s according to Gina A. Zurlo, assistant director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Zurlo was speaking at the Global Christian Forum meeting held April 24–27 in Bogotá, Colombia.

Citing the Center’s Atlas of Global Christianity, Zurlo noted that 32 percent of the world was Christian in 2010, down from 35 percent in 1910.

While Christianity is down in the northern hemisphere, in the global South Christianity has “increased substantially,” Zurlo said. (TAB)