Listening to the Current Reality
How might Christians in the church, parachurch, and workplace collaborate to reach and disciple others in a Christlike way which rebuilds societal trust and demonstrates the gospel’s plausibility through kingdom influence?
Due to the transversal nature of this gap, participants came from many different backgrounds and nationalities. This enriched the group conversations with varying perspectives on what it means for society to trust in Christianity and for it to have a transformative and positive influence.
First, a key distinction between post-Christian and emerging societies was identified. While Christianity’s influence is fading in Western countries, it is rising in many South and Eastern countries. In some other contexts, it is still a minor influence in the broader society due to suppression or persecution. In some cases, since Christianity professes values that differ significantly from local traditions, it is more difficult to expand its influence in society.
These were some of the main points that were discussed on the first day of discussions to explain what is not going well in terms of Christianity’s influence in society:
- Ethical issues – The most recurrent topic in discussions was the scandals due to ethical issues: leadership failure, lack of integrity, corruption, lack of accountability, excessive moralism, ‘us versus them’ mentality, emotional and sexual abuse, misuse of Christian institutions, and others.
- Lack of depth – Many expressed that while the Christian faith has expanded widely, it has not necessarily deepened. Thus the participants expressed failure in discipleship and sound Scripture teaching; ‘not treating the whole person’; ‘limiting vocational engagement to church/ministry’; ‘sacred-secular divide mindset’ (dualism); detachment from arts, media, culture; ‘Church’s lack of dependence in the Holy Spirit’; and finally, a sobering reflection that ‘we fail to ask deep questions—we have become shallow’.
- Loss of purpose – Another key topic was that in many places, the core Christian purpose has been replaced by pursuit of wealth, fame, ego (secularism, prosperity gospel); politization and polarization of faith; higher trust in self than in God (individualism); ‘desire for power rather than love’; ‘lack of sacrificial living’; ‘too many conflicts within denominations’. An insightful reflection pointed out that ‘the Church pursues righteousness without justice, while the world pursues justice without righteousness’.
Due to serious ethical issues, a lack of depth, and a loss of purpose, the Church in many countries around the world has been suffering criticism and a loss of reputation, trust, and influence on the broader society. However, some things are working well and could be improved to transform society.
Imagining a Preferred Reality
As mentioned by Tim Keller in How to Reach the West Again, there are three negative positions of Christians in society: [1] withdrawal (Christians absent from culture), [2] assimilation (Christians converted to culture), and [3] dominance (Christians aiming for power).
Active Christian engagement must tackle these three risks through [1] connecting (engaging with people), [2] confronting (with the Gospel’s truth), and [3] converting (not by dominance but by love).
These thoughts were the impetus for the collaborative group imagining how the Church can connect, confront, and convert people to Jesus in a broken world. When painting a picture of how this gap could be closed by 2050, some beautiful ideas were shared:
- A Church with a Kingdom mentality, with wholistic impact in every sphere of society’
- ‘A Church sent as Jesus: not to be served but to serve, caring for the vulnerable and as faithful stewards of creation’
- ‘A Church that preaches and declares Christ: his priorities, his agenda’
- ‘A Church walking together in unity, holding fast to the essential core of the Gospel’
- ‘A Church that is accountable to its failures, repentant and not defensive; with a secure identity in Christ and a life of humility (coachable)’
This means Christianity should be about ‘a whole church, taking the whole gospel, to the whole world’. The response to ethical issues is to seek integrity, the source of any Christian relevance. The response to the lack of depth is renewed compassion. And the response to loss of purpose is obedience to Christ’s calling. It is only through integrity, compassion and obedience that Christians can truly be light and salt of the earth.
When imagining a preferred reality, the focus needs to be on putting to rights what is currently not going well. A particular appeal to repentance and returning to the centrality of Christ was raised, starting with leaders and disseminating to the entire Church. Another topic raised was that we must address the critical issues of this world—such as poverty, refugees, child rights, war, and climate change, amongst others. There is no way to express love without actively being involved in the critical issues of injustice in our world
Creating a Way to Close the Gap
Some steps that could move us towards closing the gap include:
- Authentic relationships
- Practice before preaching
- Radical generosity and acts of compassion
- Inter-generational collaboration
- Witnessing in the workplace with excellence and integrity
- Whole-life theology
- Humility and repentance
Firstly, the gap cannot be closed without prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. When the Church draws closer to the Spirit, he will draw us towards radical love, which is the basis of all Christian influence and impact in society. Then, Christians will be people who heal the broken, bless the poor, and bring peace amidst violence. Mercy ministries and acts of compassion are critical outputs of this radical love and should be fostered within communities.
Importantly, leaders must follow the H.I.S. model of Humility, Integrity and Simplicity. They must lead the Church in repenting for what we have done wrong. They must be the first ones to recognize the need for collaboration in humble unity. They must lead the church towards radical generosity and impact on the broader society. They should advocate for a Church that truly lives a kingdom life beyond the walls of denominations, encouraging Christians to transform all spheres of society with whole-life theology.
The gap cannot be closed without dialogue between groups and generations. Discipleship and authentic connections were mentioned several times as the only way to build Christ in our communities. Frank and open relationships lead to trust. This means active listening, serving without gaining in return, and going to places where no one wants to go. The basis of all Christian transformation is authenticity and connection, which must be regained even as we live in a digital age.
Another topic raised is the influence of Christian values through arts, music, and culture. Christians should be encouraged and supported to enter different spheres of influence to profess Jesus with excellence. Through the arts, Christians are to show the beauty of Christ to the world. Furthermore, in any other professional sector, Christians are to be models of excellence and integrity in all they do, as if it all were done for God himself.
Communicating a Prayerful Proposal
Some ideas towards collaborative action include:
- Encourage Christians to take influential positions
- Support young leaders in their vocation
- Bring people, churches, and organisations together
- Encourage women to pray across borders
- Renew emphasis on workplace mission and authentic discipleship
- Deepen consideration of where trust has been broken
- Develop a theological framework for kingdom impact
- Mentor ‘next generation’ leaders
One of the table groups reflected: ‘if the voice is not heard and the deed is not seen, faith is not appreciated’. Being salt and light of the earth calls for active positioning in society regarding the big issues and needs people face. God has entrusted us with capacities, abilities, interests and passions. Even as we pray and learn, we can move forward. Ultimately, the outcomes are in the hands of the Lord.
Author
Matheus Ortega
Matheus Ortega is a Brazilian author who writes about wealth, poverty, and Christianity economiadoreino.com With a Master’s degree in International Development from the London School of Economics, he has managed more than US$20 million in sustainable development projects with cities in Latin America, Africa and Asia and with international organizations such as the UK Government, the World Bank, the UN and C40. Matheus lives in São Paulo, is a member of Relevans church, married to Bruna and father of Levi and João.