Written by: Noel Liemam on October 20, 2024

“The Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730’s to the 1980’s,” by D.W. Bebbington and a chapter 2 from Dr. Jason Clark Thesis, titled “Evangelical Anxiety: From Assurance to Providence” are the assigned readings from this blogpost. For me, Bebbington’s is so comprehensive to grasp in and fully understand within the time frame. If time permits, I would like to read it slowly and understand more of what he’s writing about. And for chapter 2, from Dr. Clark’s writings, I believe he’s writing about how anxiety within the Evangelical community due to unassured about their salvation has led them toward working to prove to themselves that salvation is secured.

But what does all these mean? Or why would these matter to me? There are many facts and life-lessons that can acquired and applied to our personal lives and how we lead within our communities. Back in my home church in Chuuk State (in the Federated States of Micronesia), our church denomination is called, Evangelical Church of Chuuk. All I knew back then was, our churches was started by then some missionaries that came from ‘Liebenzell Mission’ or, Liebenzell Evangelical Mission that came from Germany. And because of that, our denomination got the name, ‘Evangelical Church of Chuuk, ECC for short. Where am I going with this? Not really sure for now. Something that just appeared as I write.

Bebbington wrote this fundamental fact about the starting of Evangelicalism in modern Britain, as the nature of the Evangelical religion, “Evangelical religion is a popular Protestant movement that has existed in Britain since the 1730s. It is not to be equated with any single Christian denomination, for it influenced the existing churches during the eighteenth century and generated many more in subsequent years. It has found expression in a variety of institutional forms, a wine that has been poured into many bottles.”[1] Growing up in Chuuk and in our Island Church, in the late 1970’s through the early 80’s, all I had learn was that one goal of our evangelical churches was to counter the catholic religion; whilst the same goal was for the catholic churches.

So, I believe the effect of the Protestant movement in Europe was also felt thousands of miles away in the Pacific Islands (formerly called, the Eastern Caroline Islands). It began in the 1890’s as Germany acquired the islands that were once under Spanish control that German priests replaced the Spanish priest continue their catholic mission throughout the region; Meanwhile Missionaries of the Sacred Heart where in the region as well, in the Marshall islands and Nauru.[2] The Evangelical came into the scene in the early 1900’s, “On the other hand, German evangelical Liebenzell missionaries entered the scene in 1907. Originally destined for the China Inland Mission, the missionaries had to be reassigned after the Boxer Rebellion put an end, temporarily at least, to the influx of foreign missionaries in China. In 1929 Liebenzell missionaries expanded their work to include the western Carolines, soon spreading throughout the area from Palau to the outer islands of Chuuk to serve as a counterbalance to the Catholic efforts there.” [3] This is a brief background of how my church was affected by the protestant movement (Evangelicalism) that occurred in Europe or Britain.

How would I relate this to leadership, or leadership in global perspective? Before going there, I would like to highlight some excerpt from Bebbington so to illustrate a point. They are as follows:

• In 1734, “the emergence of the movement that became Evangelicalism.” A year later, Howel Harris and Daniel Rowland began traveling proclaiming the message of salvation.[4]
• “In the years around 1830 there was a change of direction in Evangelicalism, not all sections were equally affected…. Evangelicals continued to preach for conversions, to engage in ceaseless activity, to respect the Bible and to do on the theme of the cross. But fresh attitudes became characteristic of the movement…. A different mood was abroad. It was partly because a new generation was coming to the fore.” [5]
• Since the early 1870’s Evangelicalism movement was deeply influenced by the holiness teaching that urged Christians beyond conversion as to work toward holiness. “God is as willing to give holiness as he is to confer salvation.” [6]
• “The rise in the standard of living was allowing the working classes to turn away from the churches for their leisure activities. Vital religion seemed threatened at the same time by the twin foes of rationalism and ritualism.” [7]
• “Churches are habituated in the realities of new economic location, whilst at the same time seeking to enable people to construct forms of life and support for each other with that reality.” [8]

My point is not to explain these excerpts, but to look at the trends as the starting point of evangelicalism, some of its effects, and a what lesson to learn from it. Point #1, as leaders, there is a need to be aware that we could start something/anything with a genuine intention and spirit and it could deviate if we are not careful. Point #2, as leader, be careful that as you know more and grow more, there is that tendencies to create your own. Point, #3, to keep our focus straight-forward. As students in the leadership of global perspective, these three points is essential as we do our mapping overlays.

[1] Bebbington, David W.. Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s (p. 1). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

[2] Hezel, Francis X, SJ. Christianity in Micronesia. https://www.micsem.org/pubs/articles/religion/frames/christmicrofr.htm (accessed October 20, 2024).

[3] Ibid.

[4] Bebbington, David W. Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s (p. 19). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

[5] Ibid (page. 75).

[6] Ibid (page. 150).

[7] Ibid (page. 152).

[8] Clark, Jason S. Evangelicalism and Capitalism: A reparative account and diagnosis of pathogeneses in the relationship. (June 2018).

About the Author

Noel Liemam