How do you start a congregation in Liechtenstein? It’s very wealthy, and the father and son team trying to get a church going there say only about 10 percent of the population visits a house of worship on a weekly basis. (Read more in the article from Ken Chitwood below.)
Across the continent, Christian leaders are grappling with the challenge of trying to reach a population that often finds religion irrelevant. Here’s a look at how pastors, theologians, and laypeople attempted to live out their faith and stay the course this past year.
What It Takes to Plant Churches in Europe
Ken Chitwood
Where some see ambition as key to evangelism, others experiment with subtler ways of connecting to people who don’t think they need God.
Died: Jürgen Moltmann, Theologian of Hope
Daniel Silliman
A German soldier found by Christ in a prisoner of war camp, he became a renowned Christian scholar who taught that “God weeps with us so that we may someday laugh with him.”
UK Christians Lament Landmark Vote to Legalize Assisted Dying
Christopher Kuo
Pro-life faith leaders say Parliament’s proposed bill fails to protect the vulnerable and fear it will “create more suffering and chaos.”
Satellite Imagery Documents Erasure of Armenian Christian Heritage
Jayson Casper
As archaeologists discover new ruins revealing the ancient origins of the church, new technologies reveal the extent of its destruction in neighboring Azerbaijan.
Died: Carlos Payan, Charismatic Pastor Who Loved Catholics and Christian Unity
Léo Lehmann
The child of Spanish Civil War refugees brought together French people longing for healing in Christ.
After Two Elections, France Is Divided. Can Evangelicals Make a Difference?
Kami Rice
Though they make up only 1 percent of the population, these believers want their presence to be meaningful.
In Secular UK, Evangelical Alliance Experiences Record Growth
Interview by James Thompson
Leader explains why the movement is seeing its biggest membership bump in 30 years and its mission for the years ahead.
Russia Restricts Churches in Ukraine. Divided Orthodox Critique Both.
Jayson Casper
Ecumenical Ukrainian delegation to DC summit tells of Russia’s wartime destruction of 630 religious sites, without the input of Moscow-linked church.
German Pastor to Pay for Anti-LGBTQ Statements
Ken Chitwood in Germany
Years of court cases come to an end with settlement agreement.
Church of England Leaders Kept Evangelical Beatings Secret
Daniel Silliman
Archbishop Justin Welby resigns after abuse report exposes cover-up dating back to 1982.
Thank you for reading stories by Christianity Today’s global team in 2024. We regularly translate our work into more than half a dozen languages. Learn more here.
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