Global Trends Analysis

Cultural Hybridization, Trend toward Religious Nominalism

There will be multiple modernities. Each region will adapt through their own cultural expressions ideas of what it means to be modern. Globalization will be counterbalanced by a localization of identity and community. Modernity will be expressed differently across generational lines. One common face, however, will be materialism and a move towards religious nominalism. Traditional religious institutions will be eroded. Developed nations will see a growing worldliness in their religious congregations. Some developing nations will follow the same trend, as modernization leads people to lose a living sense of the supernatural.

Implications for the Global Church: The Church’s greatest challenge in this area may well be to interpret culture in light of the Gospel rather than reading the Gospel in light of culture. Diversity not secularization is to be celebrated. Our Christian distinctives should remain unambiguous. We are to be relevant but not relativistic, proclaim absolute truth, and provide a contrast for people who are hungry for a Kingdom reality. The need for investments in leadership development has never been clearer.