Did You Know?
Christianity is ridiculously dividedThere are more than 45,000 different Christian denominations in the world today. In 1900 there were 1600 denominations. This a 2712 per cent increase in the division of the Church in just over a century. Most of the denominations that exist are due to disputes, usually over doctrine but frequently over personal conflict. [Source: christiantoday.com]. That's why at St. Paul's we are into the idea of ecumenical partnership i.e. working with all sister churches in the area. One in Christ! Our prayer breakfast is attended by Christians from all denominations, and we are an active member of 'Churches Together'. Christianity is easily the world's largest religionWhen every form of Christianity is added together there are more than 2.4 billion Christians worldwide. So just over a third of the world's total population claim some kind of Christian faith. This figure includes what we know as nominal Christians, who may know very little of the Christian faith and may not practise their beliefs, but nevertheless in a census declare themselves as Christian. [Source: christiantoday.com]. At St. Paul's, we are keen to share our faith and the practicalities of it in our day-to-day life.
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The Church is growing slowest in Europe and North AmericaThe good news is that the Church is still growing in Europe and North America. The increase is small, but there is increase nevertheless. [Source: christiantoday.com]. At St. Paul's we believe that that now, more than at any other time, people are living day to day but feeling like there is 'something missing' in their life. That 'something' is Jesus - the only one who can give true peace.
The Church is growing dramatically in the rest of the worldThe Church has seen dramatic and explosive growth in Asia, Africa and South America. The growth of the African Church in particular is jaw-dropping. In 1900 there were fewer than 9 million Christians in Africa. Now there are more than 541 million. In the last 15 years alone, the Church in Africa has seen a 51 per cent increase, which works out on average at around 33,000 people either becoming Christians or being born into Christian families each day in Africa alone. [Source: christiantoday.com]. Perhaps the reason for this growth is that Africans are being engaged with in a very direct way - the same way that Christ engaged with people while on earth. It is our hope that you give us the opportunity to engage with you so that you can either start or recommence your journey with our Lord.
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