A Note From Pastor Eric
How Christians Should Respond to Today’s Culture
Hello church family!
In February's edition I shared the following two statistics on the evangelism crisis in the church today. 1."Only 1% of pastors say their churches are very effective at evangelism." "72% of Americans describe themselves as spiritually open, with younger generations more open to God since the pandemic." 2. After much prayer and processing over the last two months, I'd like to highlight five points on how Christians should respond to today's culture. In a world that often feels divided, chaotic, and ever- changing, Christians are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). But how should believers respond to today’s culture, one that is increasingly secular, morally complex, and often hostile to biblical truth. The answer is not retreat or compromise, but rather faithful engagement, living out our faith with grace, truth, and love. 1. Stand Firm in Biblical Truth: Today’s culture is marked by shifting moral standards and subjective truth. However, God’s word remains unchanging. Christians must be rooted in Scripture, not swayed by cultural trends or popular opinion. • Know the Word: Regular study of the Bible helps believers discern truth. • Live by Conviction: Our actions should reflect God’s standards, even when it’s countercultural. • Speak the Truth in Love: Boldness does not mean harshness. We must communicate truth with humility and compassion (Ephesians 4:15). 2. Engage Culture Without Compromise: Jesus didn’t isolate Himself from culture, He entered it and remained sinless. Likewise, Christians should be present in the world, influencing culture rather than being influenced by it (Romans 12:2). • Be Involved: Engage in culture, politics, media, and education to represent Christ, not your opinion. • Be Discerning: Not everything in culture is bad; identify what can be redeemed and used for God’s glory. • Be a Light: Those around you watch how you live and how you interact on social media platforms. Live in a way that points people to Jesus, showing that Christianity is not just a belief system, but a transformed life. 3. Love and Serve Others: Culture is often marked by division, but Christians should be known for their love (John 13:35). • Show Compassion: Instead of reacting with hostility, extend grace to those who disagree with us. • Meet Needs: Serve your neighbors, the marginalized, care for the poor, and be a voice for the voiceless. • Build Relationships: Genuine friendships with non-believers create opportunities for meaningful conversations about faith.
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