The state of the churches in Europe

Abstract

Frequently, one-sided and reductionist accounts of the Christian faith in Europe portray a picture of ecclesial decline and erosion of orthodox belief. Such accounts typically fail to allow for the potential reversal of religious fortunes, overlook the more nuanced accounts of religiosity, secularity, and spirituality, are ignorant regarding the likely impact of immigrant faith upon European Christianity, and are blind to the many churches that are innovating and establishing creative communities of faith that are awakening, re-awakening, and sustaining authentic Christian faith. This article provides a basis for examining many of these factors, and suggests that Europe’s highly diverse and complex socio-religious context is simultaneously pre-secular, secular, and post-secular. In this context, the churches of Europe have faced many challenges but find, in equal measure, many opportunities for witness and Christian service.