COPING WITH CULTURAL SHIFT IN POST-CHRISTIAN AMERICA (Part 5)

Let’s go for it and take another deep dive into the subject of Coping With Cultural Shift in Post-Christian America. In Part 5 of this series we will explore some of the beliefs of the Post-Christian Culture and the best way we have to change the course.

Keep in mind, when we use the term Post-Christian we are referencing the current period of time where Christianity no longer holds the dominant influence it once held as the prevalent worldview in America. Instead, American culture today is primarily being influenced by another set of ideals guided by a Secular Humanism’s philosophy for life.

The world we live in is crying out for people who can help them discover the way to the utopian world they seek. They may not realize it, but in reality they want someone to help guide them in the way. Ultimately it’s disciple making that they seek.

These disciples are missionaries of an every day variety who consider the words of Jesus to go and make disciples as their responsibility. It is their purpose. It is their mission. And they feel compelled to live “sent” lives. This is a grass roots disciple-making movement of missionaries incarnating the Gospel in real time. It is a way of thinking where evangelism is simply the first step in disciple making.

In order for genuine followers in the way of Jesus to do this incredible job, we must understand what drives the very people we hope to reach. We cross cultures and begin to learn about them before we try to share the gospel.

One really helpful tool with Post-Christian culture is to have a grasp on some of the beliefs people hold. Author Mark Sayers helps us with this in his book, Disappearing Church: From Cultural Relevance to Gospel Resilience. He provides for us a few basic beliefs that are somewhat universally held in Post-Christian thought:

Wow, what a list that points to the reality and struggle we face as Christians in a Post-Christian world.

There you have it … some basic beliefs from the post-Christian culture around us and a remedy of disciple-making to change the course in our lives. It is the path to the type of fruitfulness Jesus is looking for from those who follow Him.

Next month we should wrap up the conversation around Coping With Cultural Shifts as we continue our look into post-Christian America. We really think the last issue in this series will be helpful to many of you. There is hope.