Our Global Families: Christians Embracing Common Identity in a Changing World - Softcover

As Christians, we belong to not only a diverse global Christian family but also a diverse human family. Todd Johnson, a noted expert on global Christianity and world missions trends, and Cindy Wu show how divisions within these families work against our desire to bring about positive change in the world. They provide an overview of global Christian identity, exploring how we can be faithful to our own tradition while engaging Christians across denominations and be better informed as we work with people of other religions. The book utilizes the latest research data on global Christianity and world religions and includes tables, graphs, charts, and end-of-chapter discussion questions.

Embracing Our Common Identity in a Changing World

"Plenty of books discuss the process of globalization and the related spread of Christianity to all corners of the world. But I don't think any other book has presented these stories within the framework of family--the Christian family worldwide and the broader human family. The authors ask what would happen if Christians actually took seriously the language of brotherhood and sisterhood. How would we seek to change ourselves and change the world? Our Global Families is a thoughtful, provocative, and deeply rewarding book."
--Philip Jenkins, Baylor University; author of The Next Christendom

"Todd Johnson and Cindy Wu have usefully underscored the great fact of Christianity's dramatic recent spread around the world. But they have also gone further with sage writing about what should be done with this fact. Their insights, cautions, wise words, careful theology, and practical advice make for a book that deserves careful attention from a wide readership."
--Mark A. Noll, University of Notre Dame; author of From Every Tribe and Nation: A Historian's Discovery of the Global Christian Story

"For years we have read statistics about the rise of the global church, but here we have a stellar introduction to these realities that makes this phenomenon personal. Behind the numbers we are discovering the family of God in new and profound ways. At a time when we often hear stories of how divided the world and the church are, it is refreshing to discover this deeper connectedness that is emerging in the church. Our Global Families is the best introduction to global Christianity you will find. I heartily recommend it."
--Timothy C. Tennent, Asbury Theological Seminary

"Johnson and Wu have presented world Christianity in all of its diversity, pointing the way to greater unity in hospitality and grace. More than just a description, this volume outlines ways forward for Christians to make a difference in a world filled with poverty and despair."
--Scott W. Sunquist, School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary

Includes the latest research from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity