The world goes on, and Europe goes along. With its 25 nations, the European Union is discovering that political, economic and military unity can be a foggy dream. Because each nation has its own vision about the future, the EU is like a house being built without a plan, and without the help of an architect.

The European Union does not have a constitution yet, and Europe is still struggling to build its institutional unity in a fast globalizing world. Old continental enemies have to work together in spite of their tragic pasts, and they have to do so with a new generation that has no keen sense of history. The EU is composed of dozens of ethnic cultures, languages, laws and creeds. Nationalistic traits of character are always present to defend this or that model of lifestyle in a global society where ideas and fads move swiftly from one border to another. National old values are not always matching the broader and more universal vision that is developing among the European youth.

In this context, God is a name that seems to belong to the past. If Christianity was the cradle that rocked Europe for millennia, today God is not rocking the cradle anymore. It took a few hundreds years to shift from faith to reason, from poverty to abundance, from blind obedience to mental distancing from traditional religions.

New spiritual reflexes based on new values generate new behaviors that are being observed in the various European populations. Millions are "discovering" the world via Internet, and the computer and cell phone are the tools to stay informed, educated and connected. High-speed communication is bringing high-speed changes everywhere. The EU is no exception in that regard.

The invisible wiring between generations does not necessarily open the way to the transmission of Christian biblical values, which are just another product on the shelves of the spiritual and philosophical European store. Internet brings some people to Christ, and Internet brings many people away from Christ. Confusion of the mind and the heart is often the end result. The final spiritual product is "self-religion." The mood of the hour is for non-institutional religion. Europe does not want and does not look for an "institutionalized God," a God who seems to be the tool of a specific organization.

If God (who has been the common European heritage) is more and more absent from "official" Europe, that does not mean that the Europeans are not spiritually hungry. If God is being intellectually and artificially negated by many people, many others believe in him quietly. If we talk about God with individuals wondering where this world is heading, we see that the divine is still a part of many people’s lives. The fact that many are departing from traditional religion does not mean that God is absent from their thinking.

If, in reaction to this prevalent anti-Christianity, a sort of "atheology" of postmodern times is developing in some circles, there are more and more Europeans trying to get true spiritual knowledge from the Sacred Scriptures. These Europeans are ready to listen to preachers who will bring them the original texts with a modern understanding. They are looking for "what Christ and his apostles said," and only that. This trend may herald good news for those who have eyes to see. Europe needs people to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In that social context, the WCG’s members in Europe are trying to do their job of living and sharing the gospel in order to make a difference around them. Twelve full-time ministers serve more than 2,000 members. Many local congregations are being taken care of by very dedicated bi-vocational pastors and leaders. Members are faithful to their reputation in being generous, giving not only of their material resources but also of their time.

Links are being established with other Christian denominations as time and circumstances allow us opportunities for sharing our experience as a denomination. We realize that perfect unity among Christ’s disciples is still a goal to be achieved and prayed for.

The ministry and members have largely accepted the doctrinal changes, although in a few areas, the truth has been traveling at a slower speed. The congregations are maturing in their relationship with Christ and their neighbors, thanks to a sound theology that has transformed their hearts. Numerical growth is slow to come, but mission work does produce scattered fruit across the continent. Small groups seem to be "the thing" of the future, as is being illustrated by some recently planted house churches.

We have our weaknesses as a denomination, and Europe is no exception. One of these is our aging leadership. Another is the slow decline in income. A third one is our past culture, which sticks to some hearts and prevents some from moving out due to fear and inertia.

But these points are counterbalanced by positive elements, like dedicated youths, positive outreach attitude, mass media opportunities to preach the good news, and above all, a better understanding of the theology of grace producing the fruit of faith and love.