Is Europe post-Chrstian or pre-Christian? There are so many factors and so much difference of opinion.
But to truly understand any context or state of affairs, we must listen well. We must first decide where we will listen, what is the focus? We are passionate about seeing Christianity accelerated in the next generation in Europe, so we were always going to listen to the younger generations – the now and the future of the Church in Europe!
In 2024, we took some time to listen to what God was doing, to the challenges and the opportunities to see God’s Kingdom advanced further in the younger generations [the next generation]. This involved over 100 key leaders across Europe and their teams. To see though their eyes, understand the contexts and get a real sense of what God is up to in the next generation, and some of the barriers. The leaders went on a process of listening, review, reflect and respond.
They landed with 10 key actions to serve, reach, disciple and empower the younger generations for Jesus.
There are so many insights of what God is doing. The fruit being seen, challenges being recognised and sensing together what is birthing in the next generation in Europe. The key themes identified were fascinating:
- Foster unity and collaboration amongst churches
- Revitalise prayer, discipleship and radical faith
- Develop a holistic approach to wellbeing
- Innovate engagement and communication
- Invest in relevant and sustainable resources
The encouraging headline of this review is that leaders were sensing similar things and there is a real unity of thought and heartbeat.
Joining this grace revolution is an incredible opportunity, as integrating the pre-Christian context with diaspora churches is profoundly impactful
The challenge is how do we collaborate in a way that has meaningful grassroots impact cross continentally. This openness necessitates a shift in evangelistic approaches, allowing us to introduce and invite people to meet the real, radical, life-changing Jesus.
Joining this grace revolution is an incredible opportunity, as integrating the pre-Christian context with diaspora churches is profoundly impactful.
This resonates with Europe’s current state, where there is so much potential for growth and unity in creating spaces for the next generation. The need is big in the next generation growing up in an own-truth or post-truth world, lost in a sea of chaos and feeling hopeless when looking the future.
But God is beginning to birth something new in our continent; lives surrendered to Jesus, boldness in the few, authentic discipleship and new ways of living missionally.
We can see that Generation Z and Generation Alpha are pre-Christian not post-Christian. Although these generations may have a few misconceptions about the Church, they are generally open and seeking authenticity.
Listening is the foundation for effective collaborative action
We are so thankful to every leader and team who took part in the report. Our heart in this journey of doing this review / research was to listen, sense and dream together with key grassroots leaders and their teams across the continent. We believe we are entering an exciting but challenging new paradigm of Next Gen ministry and mission.
To be relevant and fruitful, we’re going to need to be prayerful and faith filled. That’s why we felt that for this coming season we needed to start by listening collaboratively to sense where God is leading together.
We believe this Next Gen Ministry Review is a useful asset for leaders at every level:
- Grassroots / local Leaders: helping them to listen, sense and strategize in this next season how they develop their local ministry.
- National Leaders: hear continental and grassroots voices, taking encouragement in the challenges and propulsion in the areas of fruit that can span across multiple countries and contexts.
- Regional Leaders: to get a fresh view on what God is up across the continent and help join dots across countries of like-minded leaders.
Listening is the foundation for effective collaborative action.
You can also download the Review directly from here.
Marina Randall, Brazilian based in the UK. She is co-regional leader for Europe of Nxt Move.