From Christendom to Post-Christendom

Posted: 10th February 2009 by Brad Brisco in Missional
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Seven significant ecclesiological shifts from Christendom to post-Christendom:

From the centre to margins: in Christendom the Christian story and the churches were central, but in post-Christendom these are marginal.

From majority to minority: in Christendom Christians comprised the (often overwhelming) majority, but in post-Christendom we are a minority.

From settlers to sojourners: in Christendom Christians felt at home in a culture shaped by their story, but in post-Christendom we are aliens, exiles and pilgrims in a culture where we no longer feel at home.

From privilege to plurality: in Christendom Christians enjoyed many privileges, but in post-Christendom we are one community among many in a plural society.

From control to witness: in Christendom churches could exert control over society, but in post-Christendom we exercise influence only through witnessing to our story and its implications.

From maintenance to mission: in Christendom the emphasis was on maintaining a supposedly Christian status quo, but in post-Christendom it is on mission within a contested environment.

From institution to movement: in Christendom churches operated mainly in institutional mode, but in post-Christendom we must become again a Christian movement.

The Anabaptist Network Newsletter, February 2004

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  3. David Goss says:
    February 25, 2009 at 11:47 am

    When you say that we have moved from a period when the Christian story was central to a time when it is marginal, do you mean that it is no longer a familiar story for the culture? Could you explain that more?
    THx

  4. brad brisco says:
    February 27, 2009 at 9:02 am

    David, yes the “story” is no longer known and therefore no longer central. More than that I believe in thhis time of post-Christendom the church is no longer the dominant seat of culture. Like the church in the first three centuries, it is once again a marginalize group attempting to make inroads into the culture.