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Times of India
Newspaper Review by:
jitendra kumar sharma
ABSTRACT BY Dr.
JITENDRA KUMAR SHARMA
The forces reshaping Christianity
The ways of worship that challenge Christianity’s mainline denominations on every continent will be on the agenda this week at their most ambitious conference in eight years.
The World Council of Churches assembly in Porto Alegre running through February 15-23, will address the sharp growth of Pentecostal, charismatic and evangelical groups around the globe. Practices such as the Mountain of Fire and Miracles congregation in Nigeria, the True Jesus Church preaching on shunning Christmas in Asia, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God ‘s preference for its fast-expanding empire will come under the scanner.
In Brazil, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God says rewards — spiritual and material — may await those who give to its fast-expanding empire.
The WCC head Rev Samuel Kobia, will urge delegates to begin dialogue with Pentecostal and other groups on the spiritual shifts.These groups regard the WWC as a threat to their independence, fundraising ways and intensified worship.
“We need a fresh look at global Christianity,” Kobia said in Geneva. “I will also call on Pentecostals, charismatic and others to approach us in an open mind and not with the hostility of history that has led to suspicion.”
The WCC needs to reach out. Its 350-church membership of mainly Protestant and Orthodox churches has felt impacted by the rise of Pentecostal and other movements.
Cooperation could enliven the old guard denominations and stem defections to evangelical churches, especially in Africa and Latin America. Failure to find common ground might lead to polarization: The traditional churches versus movements preaching daring messages of salvation and good fortune.
The so-called “ Gospel of prosperity” has attracted the most attention. Independent pastors have been proclaiming that God favors the generous. To critics, it is simply a way of filling collection baskets.
-An Abstract of Times of India article “Christianity struggles with branches, sects in New Delhi Edition dated 14/2/2006========The End=======
Published: February 14, 2006
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