Decline of 'Churchianity' Will Lead to Growth of Genuine Faith, Says Evangelist

LONDON – With Britain heading towards financial, moral and social bankruptcy, it is hard to be optimistic about the nation's future, admits J. John. But in spite of all the gloom, he still sees rays of encouragement and hope.

In the latest edition of Charisma, the popular evangelist and author mulls over the shape of the church in Britain by 2020.

He predicts that the continuing decline in "Churchianity" will lead to "a void in which a genuine Christian faith will stand out clearly."

In place of formal, traditional and institutional churches, J. John said megachurches would become the new "cathedrals" in all the major cities and that there would be a rise in small, fluid fellowships.

While hedonism, consumerism and secularism will remain popular, there will be a growing realization that they do not satisfy.

He predicted society would become "colder, more detached and increasingly virtual" and that the attraction of authentic, caring, Spirit-filled fellowships would be "compelling."

The evangelist warned that the church would be left vulnerable to fads and heresies in the face of waning "book culture" and a loss of biblical knowledge. That would be balanced out, he said, by an increase in the number of Christians "who hold to God's word with new seriousness."

The failure of "multicultural" philosophy and political correctness would turn some urban areas into "no-go zones" for evangelism, he added, but there would be a growing number of Christians, churches and martyrs in these areas.

"It's not going to be boring! And God is still on His throne," he said.

His predictions follow the launch of his Just20 teaching series to help people rediscover the truth of the Ten Commandments for their lives throughout 2010.