Challenges
Bob Loudermilk
For many years, Christians could assume that much of the culture around them shared at least a basic understanding of God, the Bible, marriage, family, morality, and truth.
That assumption can no longer be made. Biblical literacy is fading, families are struggling, while loneliness and isolation are affecting people of every generation.
Technology and social media are reshaping relationships and influencing how people think. Many young people are growing up with little meaningful connection to a church. Trust in institutions has weakened, and increasing numbers of people are searching for meaning while having little idea where to look.
But perhaps the greatest challenge facing the church is not what is happening on the outside the church. Perhaps it is how we will respond inside the church.
Will we become discouraged and retreat? Will we spend our time lamenting what has been lost? Will we become angry at the culture we have been called to reach? Will we compromise biblical truth in an effort to remain acceptable?
Or could this moment become an opportunity for Christians to rediscover what it really means to follow Jesus in a changing world?
The first Christians knew something about living in a culture that did not share their beliefs. They were surrounded by paganism, sexual immorality, religious pluralism, political power, social divisions, and values often contrary to the gospel. Yet Paul did not tell Christians to hide from that world. He told them to live as “children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” Philippians 2:15.
Notice the picture. Paul did not tell them simply to complain about the darkness. He told them to shine in it.
Jesus had already given His disciples the same calling: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world,” Matthew 5:13–14.
Salt accomplishes nothing while remaining in the salt shaker. Light is needed precisely because darkness exists. The church was never called to wait for the world to become easier before fulfilling its mission. In fact, some of the challenges before us may contain extraordinary opportunities.
If our culture is increasingly lonely, Christians have an opportunity to demonstrate genuine community.
If people are confused about truth, we have an opportunity to speak truth clearly, lovingly, and without apology.
If society is increasingly angry and divided, Christians have an opportunity to demonstrate a different spirit—one marked by gentleness, humility, forgiveness, and unity.
If families are struggling, churches can become places where marriages are strengthened, parents are encouraged, children are valued, and generations learn from one another.
If people are desperately searching for identity, purpose, and meaning, we can point them beyond themselves to the One who created them.
That requires more than new programs. It requires wisdom, courage, biblical conviction, compassion, and a willingness to examine some of our assumptions about how we communicate and connect with people.
Most importantly, it requires us to remember that difficult times have never placed the gospel at a disadvantage.
The Roman Empire could not stop it. Persecution could not extinguish it. Prison walls could not contain it, and cultural opposition could not silence it.
Why? Because the power was never ultimately in the circumstances surrounding the church. The power was, and remains, in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The challenges are real. But so are the opportunities.
This week on Bible Study Worldwide, Art Lynch returns for Part 2 of “The Challenges We Face.”
Rather than simply identifying what is changing around us, we will take the discussion further: How should Christians respond?
The world is changing. The challenges are significant. But Jesus Christ is still Lord, the gospel is still powerful, and the church still has a mission.
