{"id":31182,"date":"2022-09-10T15:20:11","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/6-truths-to-prepare-the-church-for-a-post-christian-america\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:20:11","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:20:11","slug":"6-truths-to-prepare-the-church-for-a-post-christian-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/6-truths-to-prepare-the-church-for-a-post-christian-america\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Truths to Prepare the Church for a Post-Christian America"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jacek Dylag photo – Unsplash<\/div>\n

By Y Bonesteele<\/em><\/p>\n

We wrapped up our study of James in the caf\u00e9 bar not far from our kids\u2019 school. I went to ask for the bill, but another mom already paid for our pan con tomate<\/em> breakfasts (toasted bread with grated tomatoes, a splash of olive oil, and a pinch of salt).<\/p>\n

We continued talking about the latest AMPA<\/em> issues (the Spanish version of the PTA) and said our goodbyes. I walked home to my flat praying for these ladies. Over half of them weren\u2019t believers.<\/p>\n

Ministry in post-Christian Europe taught me a lot. In Europe, you\u2019re definitely playing the long game, but somehow it seems richer and fuller. As the U.S. seems to be growing more secular like Europe, six truths about ministry stand out.<\/p>\n

1. True \u201clife on life\u201d is needed.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cLife on life\u201d means intentionally living in close relationship with people with the purpose of seeing them grow spiritually.<\/p>\n

According to a Lifeway Research study, \u201cFewer than half of churchgoers (48%) agree with the statement, \u2018I intentionally spend time with other believers to help them grow in their faith.\u2019\u201d That\u2019s disheartening.<\/p>\n

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Fellowship is important but if it doesn\u2019t sharpen us, it\u2019s for naught.<\/p>\n

In Spain, we invited people into our lives and tried to be around them as much as possible. As we got involved with anti-human-trafficking organizations, we invited friends to participate with us, allowing them to copy us as we copy Jesus\u2013a discipleship apprenticeship.<\/p>\n

During breakfast or dinners, we would sometimes pay for everyone\u2019s bill, and in doing so, our Spanish friends would want to do the same. Generosity and other godly characteristics become contagious in these settings.<\/p>\n

Discipleship requires imitation that can\u2019t happen if we don\u2019t consistently experience life together.<\/p>\n

2. Contextualize when appropriate.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In Madrid, the church is irrelevant for many. In a post-Christian environment where many find worship services awkward, we need to go into their<\/em> environments, not expect them to come into ours.<\/p>\n

At Easter, we would have a storytelling time at the park with the kids\u2019 classmates. Random families already in the park would join us.<\/p>\n

For many, it was their first time hearing the story of Jesus\u2019 death and resurrection. We need to go wherever the opportunity takes us to be with people, to hear their needs, to care for their concerns.<\/p>\n

Jesus didn\u2019t stay in the synagogues and temple courts. He was out talking to prostitutes and tax collectors, teaching to the crowds.<\/p>\n

Having my women\u2019s Bible study in a caf\u00e9 bar was a safe place for women who were interested in the Bible but uninterested in church.<\/p>\n

The church buildings and programs all have their purposes, but in a post-Christian environment, we need to think outside of the box to help people find Jesus.<\/p>\n

3. The Kingdom of God is for sinners.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The church seems to have forgotten this point. A recent Ligonier & Lifeway Research survey shows that 60% of those who attend church once or more a week believe \u201ceveryone sins a little but most people are good by nature.\u201d<\/p>\n

We believe we are essentially good which results in us believing that \u201cthose out there\u201d are essentially bad. This can\u2019t be!<\/p>\n

The church, then, doesn\u2019t know what to do with the \u201covert sinner\u201d in our midst\u2014the pregnant teen, the opioid addict, or the LGBTQ+ individual. We don\u2019t know how to love \u201csinners\u201d without accepting their beliefs or behaviors.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re more concerned about their influence on us so we\u2019re fearful, when instead we should be welcoming them into our day-to-day lives.<\/p>\n

Jesus always knew how to talk to \u201csinners\u201d in real ways, caring for them in their moment of need, spiritually or otherwise.<\/p>\n

He never compromised holiness, but He saw their hearts, their hurts, and their personhood. We should learn to do the same.<\/p>\n

4. We need to learn how to filter.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Europe is very open about extreme public displays of affection and it is perfectly acceptable to sunbathe topless at the local park or public pool.<\/p>\n

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See also  8 Ways to Persevere in Ministry<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Regardless of where we live, unless we sequester ourselves in our home, we will continue to see a lifestyle that is contrary to Christ in the world around us.<\/p>\n

In Europe, it\u2019s impossible to escape secular society. But the entire world has been secular since Eve ate of the fruit. There\u2019s no society or neighborhood \u201cChristian\u201d enough to protect us from evil. Evil exists in us.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are neither to seek to preserve our holiness by escaping from the world nor to sacrifice our holiness by conforming to the world,\u201d says John Stott.<\/p>\n

What we need to do then is to learn how to filter information so we can speak God\u2019s truth into a broken world.<\/p>\n

The Roman world was filled with debauchery\u2014temple prostitutes, slavery, and fornication. The early church had to navigate a righteous path through temptations on a daily basis.<\/p>\n

With pop-up ads, social media, and hackers, we’re na\u00efve to think our kids have not already seen something inappropriate.<\/p>\n

As parents and leaders, we need to teach into these moments. We need to give answers on why God\u2019s ways are better.<\/p>\n

In Madrid, we taught our kids to \u201cfilter\u201d what they see and hear, from movies to songs to transgender teaching at school.<\/p>\n

Let bad lyrics or words go in one ear but out the other. Understand why same-sex behavior is sinful. Avert your eyes when necessary.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve taught the kids that God created the body and God has certain rules for it. The world has other rules. God\u2019s rules are always better.<\/p>\n

5. Everyone likes stories about Jesus.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most people say they like Jesus; it\u2019s the church or Christians that they don\u2019t like.<\/p>\n

In post-Christian evangelism, we don\u2019t have to invite people to church or go through systematic theology.<\/p>\n

We can start with great stories about Jesus seen in the Bible or seen in our own relationship with Him. Jesus is so counter-cultural He\u2019s magnetic. He<\/em> draws people in.<\/p>\n

Point people to Jesus and He does the rest.<\/p>\n

6. God is in control\u2013we need not fear.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When we live in a society that doesn\u2019t honor or even regard God in its daily living, it can seem like a dark place. For some, our current state in the U.S. seems scary.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re reminded, however, that God is in control\u2014all<\/em> the time. He\u2019s not surprised by the conditions of our world. He\u2019s not shuddering at the fact that our country is becoming “post-Christian.”<\/p>\n

We stand, then, without fear as well. We keep our eyes on Jesus and live like Him\u2014no matter the culture around us.<\/p>\n

Perhaps living in a post-Christian world isn\u2019t only not <\/em>bad for us, but actually a good thing. There would be no cultural \u201cChristians.\u201d We\u2019d understand that the road is narrow and discipleship costs something.<\/p>\n

We\u2019d be reminded about the essentials: the importance of evangelism and discipleship. Our faith would be challenged and pressed to mold us more into the image of Christ. We would understand more a theology of suffering.<\/p>\n

Living in a post-Christian world would help us to not be content with this world, but make us earnestly long for Jesus\u2019 return, giving us an urgency to draw more people to Christ before that day arrives.<\/p>\n

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Y Bonesteele<\/h2>\n

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Y is an editorial coordinator at Lifeway Christian Resources. She has her M.Div. from Talbot School of Theology with an emphasis in Evangelism and Discipleship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n