The Changing of the Guard
In March of this year I stood outside Buckingham Palace in London, England watching the famed “changing of the guard.” The formal ceremony takes place roughly every other day as a new guard of approximately forty soldiers comes in to replace the old guard who’ve been standing watch over the monarch.
As I watched the ceremony, I realized the changing of the guard was a fitting metaphor for what I’d learned about the church in Europe and the UK. Here are a few observations.
I was in London at the end of fourteen days of intensive, on-site research regarding the state of the church in Europe and the UK. I’d been to Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Utrecht, London, and Birmingham; met with folks from Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Paris, Lisbon, Madrid, Dublin; and asked the same basic questions of forty or fifty people.
• The traditional church is in serious decline throughout Europe and the UK. One person told me “church is a curse word in our culture.” Many folks talked about the church as something ancient, like we might talk about Greek mythology.
• Immigration is rapidly diversifying the demographic profile of Europe. In an effort to rebuild countries devastated by two world wars, Europe sought cheap labor in the third world countries. Now these folks have taken up permanent residence in Europe and more are moving to Europe every day.
• As new people move into the European countries, they are bringing their culture and religion with them. Since many of those coming are from predominantly Muslim countries, Islam is rapidly growing in Europe. We found mosques across the street from many churches. We even found several mosques that a few years ago were Christian churches. If present trends continue unchecked, practicing Muslims are liable to out-number church attending Christians in Britain and other European countries in a few decades.
While many may find these observations disturbing, there are many missional opportunities!
• The traditional church throughout Europe and the UK is being revitalized by immigrants coming from countries once evangelized by Christian missionaries from Europe! This is true among Catholics, Anglicans, Baptists and many others. Whatever the denominational affiliation, the revitalized church is basically evangelical and charismatic.
• People, especially young people, are very spiritually minded and willing to talk about spiritual things. Most of their understanding of spirituality excludes the church and is focused on what some term “new age” spirituality. Though they are not interested in the institution of the church, they are open to talking about Jesus.
• Though the Muslim influence is spreading, Muslims love to talk religion and are willing to talk about their faith. Many can come to faith in Christ if they have someone who understands their Muslim heritage and can share the gospel with them apologetically.
• English is commonly spoken in Europe. I believe a new multinational community of people who speak English and communicate via the Internet is forming. What an opportunity this is for American believers! The American churches should see Europe and the UK as mission fields just like Africa, India, Asia and other areas. We can have an impact there without having to learn another language.
A new guard is replacing the old guard in Europe. Postmoderns are replacing moderns. Mosques are replacing churches. Immigrants are replacing nationals. Yes, Europe is changing.
America needs to take notice. Most countries in Europe thought of themselves as Christian the way many Americans think of America as a Christian nation. Today Europe is a mission field, and so is America. What’s happening in Europe may soon be happening in the US. Look around. See any changes? You may just be seeing the beginning of the changing of the guard.
Tom Billings, D.Min.
Executive Director, Union Baptist Association