When the number of people going to seminary increases the number of church plants and people coming to Christ decreases. Why would this be so? I do not have hard data to prove why but I have a one reason why that makes sense to me.
Seminary trained Pastors tend to wonder what their Seminary Professors and fellow students think of their preaching, teaching and serving. Church leaders who have not been to Seminary tend to be more concerned about what the congregation thinks of their sermons and servings.
Take a look at the following data about new births around the world. Most conversions are the result of lay ministry by family, friends and co-workers. some 95% of all churches outside Western Europe and the United States are led by lay men and women.
All over the world men and women are being encouraged to follow God, discover their gifts and see a vision for touching lives. The following chart shows the worldwide church growth since the New Reformation began in earnest through the Jesus Movement Revivals of the Sixties and the Seventies.
The world population grew by 60% through new biological births. However, the Kingdom of God grew by 126% when we count the new spiritual births.| World Total | 60% | 126% |
Europe is nearly dead, only 11% annual growth in new biological births. By the year 2050 there will b almost no white Europeans left in France, Germany, England and so forth. Thankfully, even in an area of the earth where there are more witch doctors than there are Christian clergy, people are still being converted. In this case 41% growth.
| Europe | 11% | 41% |
Thankfully, we in America are growing through new births of babies than they are in Europe. 31% to 11%. While more babies in the US would be great for us, the spiritual growth is outpacing biology. (57% to 31%)
| North America | 31% | 57% |
The most dramatic growth biologically and spiritually is happening in Africa, South America and Asia. There lies the best opportunity for God's Kingdom to flourish.
| Oceania (Australia, NZ) | 53% | 93% |
| Africa | 114% | 207% |
| Latin America | 76% | 233% |
| Asia | 67% | 376% |
I worked several months each year in Asia and can say that it is there that lay people minister with amazing fervor and energy. Biological growth is very high but spiritual rebirth is even higher. Missionaries, mostly lay persons, from Africa and Asia are now spreading out to Europe, The Middle East, Russia, and the United States and having a wonderful impact. This is our best hope to spread the good news to all people.
What think you?
Gary Sweeten
www.sweetenlife.com
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