The
Church and Secular Society:
Reading the Cultural Stream
Leadership is like fishing. Successful anglers are adaptable, constantly
reading the water to discover the best place to cast their line. They
learn to think like a fish. In their attempt to outsmart the slippery
fin, frequently they approach the water slowly, keeping a low profile.
Effective leaders constantly read the cultural stream. They continually
study social, cultural and organizational trends that are like currents
in a stream. They get a sense of what will likely happen as a result
of those trends. Thus, they are better prepared to face today and tomorrow.
The Changing Culture and Societal Trends
There is a shift toward a secularized society. A secularized society
pronounces, consciously or unconsciously, its independence from God
and acts in ways that exclude God from its value system, beliefs and
behavior. The shift that has taken place sociologically, morally, politically,
and philosophically is of such magnitude that it defies the individual
or institution to ignore it intellectually or practically. Secularization
of our culture and society stands like Goliath to test the church's
mettle and present it with its greatest challenge. This truly can be
the church's finest hour or its greatest defeat, depending on our response.
The church must realize that its greatest influence on its community
is not programs but the character and commitment of its people. The
way to fight the secularization of society is to develop people whose
lives reflect the value system, character, and lifestyle of a true Christian.
Strive to develop excellence in your people instead of excellent programs.
People's view of life as well as their world view is fragmented. People
tend to be eclectic and selective in their views and values. They pick
and choose based upon their own preferences and personal ideas. They
have no comprehensive worldview. People may be politically conservative
and morally liberal or religiously conservative and politically liberal
or a variety of other combinations. The plurality of our society has
created a generation without a holistic, integrated, or cohesive worldview.
People have failed to realize that there is an interrelationship between
all areas of life---- home, work, social, emotional, spiritual. We tend
to separate these areas into distinct compartments, mistakenly believing
that they don't affect each other. A person can't be one thing at home
and another at work without eventual serious personal and relational
problems.
The Sunday school and church must teach the whole gospel. There is
a greater need today for teaching Bible doctrine and basic life principles.
Research reveals that regular attendees are ignorant of the basic tenets
of faith. Teach the Word. Don't just discuss life issues and felt needs
without bringing God's principles to shine a guiding light. Sunday school
and Bible study groups provide opportunities for people to grow in understanding
of community and interrelatedness.
We are a society that is addicted to choice and rights. Choices
are everywhere. Our society has become increasingly pluralistic and
tolerant of all kinds of ideals, beliefs and rights. Choice and rights
have become the very essence of life. "My choice" and "my rights" stand
above all other virtues. Choice and rights win over truth. What I want
or what I feel is owed to me is perceived as "right and truth". Right
and wrong have become totally subjective and relative to the situation.
Each one does what is right in his own eyes. This has moved us away
from moral absolutes to moral relativity. Subsequently we have a society
in which everyone is his own god. Each person pushes for his rights
while abdicating his responsibility. Many Americans do not have clearly
defined convictions. This leads to decreasing commitment, fractured
community and chaos. This is one of the most serious issues that confronts
the church.
The church must not be afraid of calling people to commitment. However,
you must first have a clear, challenging vision and strategy before
you expect commitment. People need to know where you are going, how
you are going to get there, and what it is going to cost before they
commit. The We Build People model gives great help in increasing commitment.
Obligation, responsibility, and commitment have become passé,
while freedom, flexibility, and convenience have become the norm.
Americans place high value on self, personal fulfillment, and independence.
Whenever a society experiences rapid change, people are reluctant to
make commitments. Rapid change, mobility and extreme emphasis upon "self"
have made long-term commitments nearly impossible to get. No one wants
to make a commitment because that could limit future options. Maintaining
my freedom and flexibility has become more important than my commitments
and responsibilities.
The impact on religious faith is a general increase in shallowness
and transience. Consequently, the church finds it difficult to recruit
teachers who will commit for any length of time. Classes that were once
4 to 13 weeks in duration are more effectively done as one-day seminars
or in short segments. Long-term committee or board assignments are not
as appealing or as efficient as short-term task force responsibilities.
We have become more pagan while seeking some supernatural spiritual
experience. While there is an incredible spiritual thirst, this
doesn't mean that there is an interest in Christianity or the church.
People are seeking a spiritual experience more than they are seeking
the truth. They want a god that they can touch, feel, or see. They pursue
signs and wonders. They seek a god that makes them "feel" the way they
want to feel or will do what they want done. This leads people to believe
that if they have the "right experience" they must also have truth.
The New Age ideas and philosophies are pursued by millions. Talking
with spirits is increasingly acceptable, perceived as innocent and harmless.
Channeling, reincarnation, horoscopes, crystals are all quests for the
supernatural.
Christianity no longer impacts the way a person lives or believes.
You can claim to be a Christian yet not be influenced by the values
of true Christianity or biblical truth. Each faith is seen as just one
preference among many. Christianity and its values have lost power and
influence in our American culture.
Man's search for the supernatural provides a great opportunity for
the church to present the authentic, genuine supernatural found in a
deep, personal and rich relationship with Jesus Christ. It requires,
however, that as Christians we demonstrate the true values, character,
and lifestyle of a true Christian. The first barrier to a personal relationship
with Christ is not a feeling of guilt but doubt. People doubt the credibility
and authenticity of God, the Bible, the church or Christians. Our lives
must demonstrate credible Christianity. Evangelism must be more relational,
giving opportunity to demonstrate genuine Christian living.
We have become an increasingly diverse culture. Since 1900 America
has grown from 45 states with 76 million people to 50 states with 276
million people by 2000. By the year 2000, the U.S. population by race
will be 71 percent white, 1 3 percent African-American, 11 percent Hispanic,
4 percent Asian, and 1 percent a mix of other races, including Native
American and Eskimos. By the year 2010, nonwhite races are projected
to comprise 44 percent of the national population, or 132 million people.
We also face age and gender diversity. In the 20th century, birthrates
have dropped sharply, and life expectancy has skyrocketed to a projected
average of 77 years in 2000, up from an average of 47 years in 1900.
Median age has advanced from 23 years in 1900 to 35 years in 2000.
Today females make up 51 percent of the population. More women are
in the work force and will increasingly become a force in politics,
business, and other professions. The men's movement will continue to
grow in influence into the next century. Churches can respond by realizing
fewer women are available to volunteer for ministry because they work.
Ministries and group Bible study opportunities are needed that fit women's
schedules. Ministry to men is needed that helps establish accountable
relationships so that men can develop the basic habits, disciplines,
commitments and character of a true disciple.
The traditional family is increasingly under attack and facing extinction.
Divorce, abortion, immorality, and the degeneration of principle-centered
values are destroying the family. Since 1960 there have been more that
34 million divorces, and since 1967 one in two marriages has ended in
divorce. Of all the abortions in 1990, 82 percent of them were performed
on unmarried women, 65 percent of the women were white while 77 percent
were ages 15 to 29. In the 1990s almost 50 percent of children born
will spend time in a one-parent family. In 1993, there were 11 million
single-parent family groups, or 3 out of every 10 families.
Yet, key indicators now point to the slowing of abortion and divorce.
Christians in the 21st century have an obligation and opportunity to
champion the call for sound and healthy families. Churches that demonstrate
through programs and ministries that they value the family will thrive.
The church can also increase ministries to the needs of single-parent
homes, childcare, and families with absentee fathers.
One of the greatest struggles facing the leader is how to minister,
in the context of a changing society, to the perceived and real needs
of people, without compromising biblical principles. We must be able
to read the stream with keen vision and clear senses.
