Post-Christendom

If you're in ministry and already tired of the word "post-modern" (which may not even be the intellectual age we're in anymore), here's a word I've recently picked up. If you're not in ministry, then this might just be good to keep in your utility belt, along with more web cartridges, batarangs, and a grappling hook.

Post-Christendom is best explained by comparison.

At one point, Americans seemed to all know who Jesus was and what church was all about. It was assumed that America lived under Christian values and that most people were at least familiar with Christian values, churches, etc.

We're now in a situation where many young Americans have no concept of what church really is. It isn't given as a truth, rather it is counted among other mythologies. This period is being called post-Christendom.

This definitely effects methods of evangelism and how we understand the story of God. Dave Fitch writes some really insightful stuff on mission in a post-Christian context.

How have you experienced this post-Christendom shift?