American Christians Have Been Given a Breather. Let’s Not Waste the Moment.
Over the last few years, churches in the U.S. have weathered various cultural storms and public pressures—from the rise of the aggressive LGBT movement and transgender ideology, the challenges of the pandemic and the government-mandated shutdown of churches, to the aggressive institutional takeover of churches, denominations, and other Christian organizations by progressive ideologues. The unfortunate result has been that many church leaders have been less willing to invite risk to advance the kingdom of Christ, embracing instead a survival mentality.
But today, we find ourselves in a uniquely favorable moment. Donald Trump, whose policies have been favorable to Evangelicals and other Americans holding to conservative and traditional values, won. Kamala Harris, whose proposals threatened direct harm to Christianity, the free exercise of our faith, and the moral implications of our theological commitments in the public square, lost. The “vibe” has shifted. In what may be a rare opportunity, there seems to be more room for churches to influence culture, foster stability, and thrive—perhaps, even, to flourish.
The present moment offers a critical opportunity for pastors to strengthen their churches, engage new listeners with the gospel, and lay a foundation for generational impact. It is a time to preach for revival and fight for reform. Here are eight ways church leaders can begin using this respite to advance the mission of the church with renewed zeal and strategic clarity.
1. Continue Preaching the Gospel Unashamedly
Pastors: Now is the time to proclaim the Lordship of Christ unashamedly. “Put not your trust in princes” (Psalm 146:3) but in the unchanging power of the gospel to shape every area of life—including our families, society, and nation. Anchor your congregation’s understanding of the gospel in a comprehensive vision that touches all spheres of life and not merely as a free ticket to heaven. By grounding everything in Christ’s authority, we remind our people that he alone reigns over all things, including the public square both in our nation and in all the nations.
2. Build Interconnected, Antifragile Christian Communities
Now is the time to create robust, interconnected Christian communities—like traditional boroughs—that foster a rich, thick Christian culture beyond the walls of the church. Focus on establishing resilient institutions, such as churches and church plants, Christian schools, homeschooling co-ops, businesses, professional networks, media ventures, and publishing outfits, that reinforce biblical living and strengthen the church’s witness.
Encourage your congregation to engage in these networks actively, creating a sturdy support structure that resists fragmentation and cultivates a durable Christian community. These types of antifragile institutions offer grounded alternatives to the instability and isolation prevalent in the broader culture.
3. Capitalize on Growing Cultural Openness
With cultural tides shifting, there is a renewed openness—especially among Gen Z men, who are increasingly aligning right of center—toward traditional values that reflect biblical truth. This cultural inflection point offers pastors new, receptive audiences for the church’s message on flashpoint issues like the sanctity of life, biblical marriage, and human sexuality. Encourage your congregation to approach all these “culture war” battlefronts in the light of Scripture.
4. Steward Financial Resources with a Kingdom Vision
With favorable economic conditions, we have an opportunity to remind congregations of the biblical principles of stewardship, starting with caring for one’s own family and then extending generosity outward (1 Timothy 5:8). Encourage believers to get their financial house in order, saving responsibly and thinking of future generations (Proverbs 13:22), so that out of that overflow, they can support the work of the local church and other gospel ministries with wisdom and faithfulness.
Many pre-field Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) missionaries, who are preparing to go out but need financial partnership to formally begin their ministry, are a perfect example of where this generosity can be directed. Encourage your church to visit abwe.org/prefield for opportunities to support them as they prepare to bring the gospel to the nations.
5. Equip and Send Local Evangelists and Missionaries
While churches remain committed to sending missionaries abroad, the nations are increasingly coming to us. With migration still historically high, America itself represents a ripe mission field with increasing access to people groups who may have never heard the gospel. Equip your congregation to purposefully meditate upon their relationships with lost individuals, such that they would treat their neighborhoods and workplaces as arenas for gospel impact. To be clear, this work can be done while we simultaneously pray and labor towards the enforcement of our immigration laws, policies to ensure the integrity of U.S. borders, and strategies to remove those who disrespect our nation and its laws.
For those looking to reach migrant communities or other unique groups, EveryEthne.org offers resources and guidance on how churches can effectively engage the nations next door.
6. Engage Culture Locally
As Christians, we are called to seek the welfare of our communities (Jeremiah 29:7)—not only through proclaiming the gospel but also by working for the temporal good of our neighbors and future generations. Encourage believers to participate in state and local politics, including running for positions on school boards, city councils, and other governing bodies.
The civil magistrate has a biblical role in upholding justice and promoting the common good (Romans 13:1-4), and Christians have a responsibility to see that our communities reflect values that lead to human flourishing. While Scripture warns of the corrupting influence of power, there is no reason Christians cannot seek power and influence for the express cause of their neighbors’ good and the advancement of the Lord’s interests. By taking up roles in local governance, believers can have a direct impact on policies affecting education, family, and the moral direction of our communities. This involvement is especially critical against the backdrop of our rapidly changing culture.
7. Preach Toward the Long Horizon of Obedience
In a society that celebrates instant gratification and fleeting passions, pastors have the opportunity to call their congregations to something countercultural: a long horizon of obedience. Encourage your church to embrace a vision of faith that values patience, consistency, and long-term commitment to God’s purposes. Our aim should be to grow mighty oaks (see Psalm 1, Jeremiah 17), not dandelions—building lives rooted deeply in Christ and marked by endurance and resilience rather than momentary bursts of zeal.
Preach toward a vision of steady, lifelong obedience to Christ that perseveres through discomfort and suffering. Encourage your congregation to invest their time, talents, and resources not just for immediate impact but with future generations in mind. Teach them to recognize that today’s obedience—or disobedience—reverberates into eternity.
8. Plead for National Repentance and Revival
Urge your people to plead with the Lord to bring about national repentance. Pray that he would break through the spiritual apathy, soften hardened hearts, and draw souls back to him in repentance and faith. This is a moment to seek God’s mercy for our nation, asking him to uproot sin, heal brokenness, and draw many to Christ.
Encourage your congregation to recognize that true revival begins with strengthening their relationships with the Lord and their household piety as well. Ruthlessly eliminate sin from your own life and family—even the respectable-seeming sins we tend to tolerate today.
Plead for the Spirit to move powerfully, for repentance to take root, and for a spiritual renewal that echoes through generations. Only through the work of God’s Spirit can we see a true revival that will win our nation and render it truly a light to other nations.
In the end, these years may only offer a brief window for increased freedom and opportunity for the church. But by helping our congregations to seize the moment, we can position ourselves as ready for God’s powerful moving among us. May we live as wise stewards of the time he has given us and never lose sight of our mission to make Christ known.
