There have been numerous studies in the past few years on the declining numbers in the church. As you probably know, the metrics paint a terrifying picture.
The reasons for the decline are various. Things like hypocrisy, judgmental attitudes, and such.
But there was one reason given by 25% of the respondents.
25 Percent of Church Dropouts Named This Reason for Leaving the Church
About a quarter of the young adults who dropped out of church said they disagreed with their church’s stance on political and social issues.
This situation presents some hard decisions for pastors.
The ongoing decline means pastors either 1) Remove all political and social issues from their church in hopes of attracting people who’ve been offended, or 2) Double down on politics and social issues to attract the people in their community who want their church to look and feel like their favorite cable news network.
Neither of these solutions feels like a solution.
Addressing Politics in Your Church
Removing Political Ideology from Church Theology
From my observation, churches that fully embrace a political view or take on one-sided social warfare look a lot like the religious elite of the first century. The Pharisees and teachers of the law often railed against ONE side of a topic while ignoring the reality of their sin and struggles.
Jesus had little patience for them.
Here’s the first practical step: actively remove political ideology from your church theology. This means not allowing the teachings of a political party or leader to shape your sermons, ministry efforts, or church culture. Instead, focus on the teachings of Jesus. When addressing political topics, be fair and balanced. Critique and commend actions based on biblical values, not political affiliations.
Practical Applications for Addressing Politics:
- Preach Christ, Not Politics: Ensure your sermons are centered on the gospel, not political commentary. When political issues arise, discuss them from a biblical perspective, highlighting Jesus’ teachings and how they apply to the situation, rather than endorsing a political stance.
- Create Open Forums: Host discussions where members can talk about political issues in a safe and respectful environment. Encourage diverse viewpoints and facilitate conversations that are grounded in scripture and love.
- Model Empathy and Curiosity: Encourage your church to approach political issues with empathy and curiosity. Teach them to listen to others’ experiences and struggles without immediately judging or trying to correct them.
Addressing Social Issues in Your Church
Focus on Leading People Over Judging Their Current State
Addressing social issues is important, but only when done through curiosity and empathy. We’re called to lead people to something, not rally against something.
If a person living in any version of sin enters our church, we are too tempted to focus on their sin issue rather than the greater opportunity to grow them toward Jesus. This is where our approach must shift.
When someone struggling with sin walks through our doors, our first impulse should be to welcome them, not to fix them. Our role is to guide them towards Jesus, who transforms lives. Focus on building relationships, showing compassion, and offering grace. This doesn’t mean ignoring sin but addressing it within the context of discipleship and growth.
Practical Applications for Addressing Social Issues:
- Develop Community Programs: Engage in social issues by creating programs that address the needs of your community, such as food banks, addiction recovery, or support groups. These initiatives demonstrate Jesus’ love in action without getting entangled in political rhetoric.
- Emphasize Discipleship Over Judgment: Train your leaders and congregation to focus on discipleship. When someone comes to your church with a visible sin issue, prioritize their spiritual growth. Use small groups, mentorship, and personal relationships to help them grow in their faith.
- Model Empathy and Curiosity: Encourage your church to approach social issues with empathy and curiosity. Teach them to listen to others’ experiences and struggles without immediately judging or trying to correct them. This builds trust and opens the door for genuine spiritual transformation.
If we hope to be Great Commission churches, we must help people lift their eyes and hearts to the things above. Life is bigger than any political view or societal issue. Our ultimate goal is to lead people to Jesus, who is above all and in all.
One Helpful Resource…
SERIES: In Your Shoes Sermon Series
SERIES DESCRIPTION: Have you ever tried to run a mile in someone else’s shoes? You probably wouldn’t run as fast, but you’d certainly have a better understanding of how the person is different than you. Our perspectives change in amazing ways when we better understand the perspectives of others. And when our perspectives change, everything changes.
RESOURCES: Three Message Outlines, Series Artwork, Video Trailer, and Three Bumper Videos.
Available to every Accelerator Church Community Partner.
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