Monday, July 30, 2012

Global increases in expatriates challenge international churches in ministry


Exactly how many expatriates are there? Of course, nobody knows for sure, but some good, educated guesses abound.

Whatever the true numbers are, a new report says certain sectors of the globe are expecting more in the coming years with challenging implications for those who minister to expats with international congregations.

Over 1,000 English-language congregations serve people living outside of their home country around the world. Most of those congregations are multi-denominational as well as multi-national, though some were started by denominational groups such as Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist and Anglican.

These international churches function in a language, usually English, not normally spoken in the host country. They have a majority of people from other countries, ie expatriates, and they have a multi-cultural mix and diversity with a more global perspective than congregations in home countries. Read more

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