Is the Church Being Influenced by the World or Influencing the World?

It takes few words to persuade people of the chaos that reigns in our civil arena. The divide in America has transcended past politics and into the fabric and understanding of life itself.

What once was classified as a political and even generational divide must now be redefined and reexamined.

The divide in America has exploded past the social norms of just a few years ago and now is based on something far different from age, upbringing, culture, region, or even experience.

This is where the Church finds herself living. But instead of living and working in the midst of such things, she finds herself embroiled in the very same complexing situations.

In fact, some churches lunge themselves into this worldly chaos from their own pulpits. Many pastors feel strongly compelled to focus almost exclusively on matters of country and politics—especially in election years.

Yet, even if pulpits aren’t engaging in the rhetoric, most church attenders are; and they are thrusting their entire church into the marsh with themselves.

In fact, such divides, hostilities, and politics seems to be all that “church people” want to talk about.

This leads me to ask a question: Is the church being influenced by the world or influencing the world?

That question requires no small answer. Let me attempt to unpack what I am saying by asking it. Read More