Written by: gfesadmin on September 26, 2012

The world is getting smaller, or at least it seems to be, because of globalization (or maybe it’s because I’m sitting in South Africa with 24 people from the United States).  Globalization is the intensifying of relationships around the world, be it economic, technological or others. We might answer the age-old question of, ‘What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?’ with a resounding, “Everything!” I would agree with those that believe globalization has both positive and negative effects, even for the church.

The church has to respond to the issues of its day, and globalization is certainly one of those issues.  There are several positives and negatives of globalization as it relates to the church. The positives first:

 –  Information is instantly available. We can know the prayer requests and needs of people immediately, no matter where they are in the world. We can even immediately marshal the people to help meet that need.

–   The church is challenged with the pressing international issues of its day (poverty, HIV/AIDS, etc.) and can decide to intervene for the betterment of everyone involved.

–  Globalization allows for churches to partner directly with organizations in the world, regardless of location. What used to primarily be the domain of a denomination or other sending agency has become normal and routine for churches.

Negatives

–  Churches don’t often think about differences in cultures and how to act cross-culturally. This can often harm people in other cultures and lead to cultural imperialism.

–   If the church chooses to ignore or not respond to the justice issues of today, the witness of the church is marred.

The church in the 21st century must understand globalization and its impact upon society in order for it to be affective.

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