Lausanne's State of the Great Commission Report is a call for the Church's innovative response. (See related article The Church's global future.)
1 A global aging population
The global aging population (60 years and older) is rapidly increasing, expected to double from 1 billion to 2.1 billion by 2050, yet Christian missions still tend to overlook this demographic.
2 The new middle class
Over the past 40 years, global efforts to alleviate poverty have increased middle-class populations, which became the majority around 2020 and are expected to grow by 2 billion by 2050, mainly in Asia.
3 Reaching the next generation
Emerging generations are less open to institutional church expressions and less dedicated to Christianity, influenced by advancements in technology, changes in youth culture, and a desire for holistic well-being.
4 Islam
Islam has been the only major world religion to significantly grow from 1900 to today, with its global population share increasing from 12% to 25% and projected to reach 29% by 2050. This growth spans diverse con texts – from relatively open societies to countries under Shari’a law.
5 Secularism
While the global population is becoming more religious, the fastest-growing affiliation is “none/unaffiliated.” Strikingly, Christians represent 93% of those switching to “none.”
6 Least reached peoples
Most Great Commission efforts focus on populations with existing gospel access, neglecting many unreached and marginalized groups. While these groups are often disconnected from traditional church structures, they are connected to various governmental, educational and medical institutions.
7 Scripture in a digital age
In 2020 people averaged 7 hours of screen time per day globally, a figure expected to rise. Digital technology is influencing our relationships, desires, decision making, faith formation, and how we read and distribute the Bible.
8 Church forms in a digital age
During Covid-19 churches and ministries shifted to online church services and digitized resources. How can these digital platforms foster reciprocal love and community rather than transactional consumerism?
9 Discipleship in a digital age
What is the role of the internet in the development of wisdom and virtue? There is a need to reimagine following Jesus in a digital context, avoiding a faith where our bodies are disconnected from reality while leveraging new opportunities for global resource sharing.
10 Evangelism in a digital age
Digital media offers creative ways to spread the message of Jesus, but these communications are also shaped by algorithms that suggest posts or videos based on interest, often creating siloes of like-minded people. This means social media platforms can shape users’ interests and alter the way they receive the gospel online.
11 AI & transhumanism
Advancements from artificial intelligence to gene editing are reshaping what we think it means to be human. These tools can create opportunities such as enhancing Bible translation, but also offer alternative paths for hope thanks to advancements in capability and human achievement.
12 Sexuality & gender
Debates about sexuality and gender are putting Christians with traditional beliefs under pressure in schools, universities and workplaces. The LGBTQ+ movement also exposes unhealthy stereotypes of femininity and masculinity, and challenges Christians to witness with grace and truth.
13 Holistic health
Christian organizations experience high levels of burnout in their leaders. The call to bear witness to Christ’s love includes seeking mental, physical and spiritual health – for both those inside and outside the Church.
14 Polycentric mission
Polycentric just means having key areas or hubs, each with equal importance. Christian demographics have shifted from the majority of Christians living in the Global North to the majority living in the Global South. A rebalancing of voices is needed, promoting an exchange of learning across regions.
15 Polycentric resource mobilization
The shift in Christian demo graphics to the Global South has highlighted resource challenges for global missions, unhealthy dependencies and uneven representation of global perspective.
16 Integrity & anticorruption
Financial corruption and abuse coverups within the Church undermine the credibility of the gospel and its promise to transform character and behaviour. There is a need for churches to establish accountability structures, transparent reporting, and partnerships with civil organizations if they are to restore public trust.
17 Integrated spirituality in mission
Worldwide a recognizable portion of conversion growth stems from miraculous events, yet missions training can often miss this, focusing more on strategic plans. Reintegrating these two aspects of missions can strengthen churches’ competence with intercessory prayer, spiritual practices and responding to spiritual warfare.
18 Developing leaders of character
Abusive, narcissistic leaders damage churches and workplaces, and hurt individuals. While these kinds of leaders can do a lot of harm, the opposite kind – those who are virtuous and humble – are a blessing to many.
19 People on the move
A significant number of people are moving from their homelands, whether as mi grants, refugees, international students or workers. Relocating can make it hard to form new communities and can present challenges around ethnic identity, religious expression and economic status.
20 Urban communities
Over 50% of the global population now lives in urban areas – increasingly in informal settlements or slums. This trend toward urbanization within low-quality environments changes family structures and work patterns, and often means poor access to healthy communities and civil services.
21 Digital communities
Online communities are a primary source of interaction for many. Despite growing groups of online friends, we’re also seeing a rise in loneliness and mental health issues.
22 Ethnicism & racism
Ethnic and racial tensions are increasingly visible in society, the Church and workplaces, contrasting with the gospel’s message of unity and acceptance. These tensions hinder the Great Commission by creating barriers to disciple making and failing to recognize the gifts of all people.
23 Radical politics & religious freedom
The rise in polarized and radical politics raises questions about the Church’s relationship with civil society and public freedom of religion. Amid so much division the Church’s challenge is to transcend political binaries, focusing on serving the common good.
24 Caring for creation & vulnerable people
Climate change and biodiversity loss impact not only the environment, but also have the most significant toll on vulnerable populations. These two interconnected areas are both part of the Great Commission since preaching the gospel means acknowledging that Jesus is Lord of all creation and all people, and that He cares about both.
25 Societal trust and influence
Over 50% of global Christian leaders believe the Church has little to no influence on culture, and most say this influence is either steady or declining. This decline in influence and trust in religious institutions and leaders suggests a broader skepticism toward Christianity, requiring efforts to understand and address the factors contributing to this decline.