The future of the Church (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Notes
The future of the Church
Introduction
The Christian Church continues to work towards growth and expansion in modern society. Many Christians believe they have a duty to share their faith with others and offer service to their communities through education, healthcare, and social justice initiatives.
Church growth
The Christian Church has adapted to respond to the changing nature of society by focusing on bringing people together and drawing them towards faith. This growth happens through several key approaches:
- Education programmes - Teaching people about Christianity and Christian values
- Charity work - Demonstrating Christian love through practical help and support
- Missionary work - Actively spreading the Christian message to new communities
These three approaches work together to create a comprehensive strategy for church expansion. Each method addresses different aspects of human need - intellectual understanding, practical support, and spiritual guidance.
These efforts aim to bring Christianity to all people, regardless of their background or location. Christians believe that by engaging in these activities, they are putting biblical teachings into practice and helping others to experience salvation through Jesus Christ.
Missionary and evangelical work
Understanding missionary work
A missionary is someone who is sent out on a religious mission, particularly to promote Christianity in foreign countries. Evangelical work refers to the spreading of faith through the efforts of missionaries and other Christians who share the gospel message.
The distinction between missionary and evangelical work is important: while missionary work typically involves being sent to specific locations (often foreign countries), evangelical work can happen anywhere and involves any Christian sharing their faith with others.
Christians who engage in missionary or evangelical work are sent to specific areas to share their faith and communicate the message of the Bible. They also aim to provide practical service to communities in need.
Historical context
Christianity has a rich history of missionary activity. Notable Christian missionaries include:
- William Carey (1761-1834) - Often called the "father of modern missions"
- Eric Liddell (1902-1945) - Olympic athlete who became a missionary to China
These historical figures demonstrate how missionary work has attracted people from diverse backgrounds and professions, showing that the call to share faith transcends social and professional boundaries.
Biblical foundation
Missionary work is rooted in direct commands from Jesus Christ. Three key passages provide the scriptural basis:
The Biblical Foundation for Mission Work
These three passages form the core scriptural mandate for Christian missionary activity:
The Great Commission: "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'" (Mark 16:15)
The sending of disciples: "Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (John 20:21-22)
The call to discipleship: "'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.'" (Matthew 4:19)
These passages demonstrate how Jesus instructed his followers to share their faith and bring others into relationship with God. Many Christians feel that through missionary and evangelical work, they are following these direct biblical commands.
Scope of missionary work
Missionary activities can take place both within local communities and across international borders. This work involves sharing faith, providing practical services, and helping to establish new Christian communities around the world.
How churches grow: locally, nationally and globally
Churches use different strategies to expand their influence and reach at various levels:
Local growth
Community engagement:
- Local churches fund projects to spread God's word through grants and community initiatives
- Churches help the elderly through practical support programmes
- Special events are organised to welcome non-believers and introduce them to Christianity
- Churches participate in ecumenical work - different denominations working together to serve their local community
- Community support is provided through food banks and children's events
Oecumenical work represents an important trend in modern Christianity, where different denominations set aside theological differences to work together for common social goals and community service.
National growth
Denominational cooperation:
- Churches from different denominations may connect across the country and participate in national faith-based events
- Special events and holy days bring Christians from various denominations together to share their faith
- Churches collaborate on community projects, particularly those aimed at helping disadvantaged groups
- Collaborative efforts might include providing play areas or developing allotments for community use
Global growth
International outreach:
- Christians have opportunities to study abroad or create connections with believers in different countries
- Churches become involved in spreading the Christian message globally through international missionary projects
- People can choose to travel to underdeveloped regions to help with construction work, education programmes, or other shared projects
- Global partnerships allow churches to support communities worldwide and demonstrate Christian love through practical action
Practical Example: Global Church Partnership
A church in the UK might partner with a community in Kenya to:
Step 1: Provide funding for a school construction project Step 2: Send volunteers to help with building work and teaching Step 3: Establish ongoing support through regular donations Step 4: Create cultural exchange programmes between the communities
This demonstrates how local churches can have global impact while building lasting relationships.
Key Points to Remember:
- Church growth happens through education, charity work, and missionary activities that bring people to faith
- Missionary work involves being sent out to share Christianity, with strong biblical foundations in Jesus's direct commands
- Churches can expand their influence locally (community projects), nationally (denominational cooperation), and globally (international outreach)
- Biblical passages like Mark 16:15, John 20:21-22, and Matthew 4:19 provide the scriptural basis for evangelical work
- Historical missionaries like William Carey and Eric Liddell demonstrate the long tradition of spreading Christianity worldwide