World Christian Database: glossary

Data source: Gina A. Zurlo and Todd M. Johnson, eds., World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2024).

Glossary item Definition
Portions Copies of a complete Book of the Bible, usually one of the 4 Gospels.
postal evangelism Evangelism carried on by post or mail.
postal survey An inquiry sending questionnaires by mail.
Postcharismatics Formerly active Charismatics in mainline nonpentecostal denominations who still regard themselves as Charismatics though active in other different areas of church life.
post-conciliar In Catholic usage, an event taking place after the Second Vatican Council of 1962-65.
postdenominationalism Viewpoint rejecting close control of local churches or congregations by centralized denominations.
Postdenominationalists Independents and others who have replaced historic denominationalism by non-centralized lifestyle and church order.
postmillennialists Protestants who hold that Christ will return as King after the church has established the millennium on earth through its evangelization.
Postpentecostals Former members of classical Pentecostal denominations who leave to join nonpentecostal mainline churches but still regard themselves as Pentecostals.
post-religious Persons or populations who have abandoned any form of religion or quasi-religion.
postulant A candidate for admission to a religious order in the stage preliminary to the novitiate post-Christians. See disaffiliated Christians.
potential audience In Christian broadcasting, all persons with access to receivers and thus able to receive and listen to or view Christian broadcasts if they wish to, and able to understand the languages employed.
practice, religious See religious practice.
practice, religious Minimum attendance at church service on major festivals (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost).
practicing Actively engaged in, as a way of life.
practicing Anglican An adult Anglican who fulfils the minimum obligation of attending communion 3 times each year.
practicing Muslims Muslims who, regularly or at least annually, practice all required Muslim duties
practitioner In Christian Science usage, an authorized teacher and healer.
practitioners In a religion, its practicing members, followers, adherents, who actively follow religious precepts and standards.
praeparatio evangelica (Latin). Preparation for the gospel; used of any major factor in a peoples life which prepares them for the message of Christ.
Prayer Book Anglicans Central or Broad Church Anglicans (qv).
Prayer Book Catholics High Church Anglicans (qv).
prayer group A term used throughout Christianity for a group of Christians regularly meeting for prayer. Catholic charismatic prayer groups vary from 2 to 1,500 members, and average 50 persons.
prayer tower (1) In Muslim usage, a minaret. (2) In Christian usage, a tower specially set aside for continuous prayer.
preaching The act, practice or art of delivering a sermon or exhortation.
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Religions

Data on 18 categories of religion, including non-religious, by country, province, and people.

Countries and regions

Data on all religions, Christian activities, and trends.

Denominations

Membership data, year begun, and rates of change.

Cities & provinces

Population and religion data on all major cities & provinces.

Peoples & languages

Detailed information covering religion, culture, and geography.

Archive

A repository of historical data, including a chronology of Christianity from the 1st to 21st centuries.