"Today there's the unchurch, dechurched, and the anti-churched."

January 27th, 2024

“Today there is the unchurched, dechurched and anti-churched!” Those were the words that grabbed my attention.

Recently, I was in the office of Dr. Joel Kim, the president of Westminster Theological Seminary California, with Angela, our son Josiah, and our daughter-in-law, Emmy. We were getting a personal tour of the school as Josiah considers attending WTS California. We had a significant amount of time to talk with the president about the school and the aim of the school to prepare pastors for ministry in the rapidly changing religious culture we now find ourselves in the southwest. The nation is in a significant shift in America today when it comes to their beliefs and values. As we contemplated the days ahead for ministering in the church, we need to consider what is currently happening in the trends. That is where Dr. Kim insightfully described the culture in the southwest, “Today there is the unchurched, dechurched and anti-churched!” Each of the groups are here among us – and each category is growing. You and I know people who have left and/or are leaving the church.

I am halfway through a book that has come highly recommended to me: “The Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?” Statistically, Dr. Kim is absolutely right: There are many who have left the church over the last 25 years. But it is not the end of the story by any means. Even Jesus tells us that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church” (Matt. 16:18). God established the church, has a plan for His church, and is working through ragamuffin people like us in His church!

Though the statistics are sobering, and my heart hurts for those who have left the church… I am driven all the more to point to Jesus, and for our church to lean into Him! We don’t need to lose heart in God’s plan for His church. As we invite Him into all of the areas of our lives and ministry we will see Him continue to guide us and shape us. I am telling you, He is at work among us!

I am thinking of a number of folks at Summit who had walked away from the church for a time – part of the “dechurched” I suppose. But God wasn’t done writing His story… they ended up entering through our doors – with all of their baggage and burdens – and were welcomed, loved, and cared for. I love that! It takes a work of the Spirit to be able to see people as He does and lovingly move toward them.

I love His church – I love our church at Summit! I love what God is doing here among us. I am encouraged that we are growing as a praying people, as dependent upon Him. I am encouraged when we deal with our sins and turn to Him. I am encouraged when we lift our voices together on Sunday’s morning. I am encouraged by all that engage in the ministry by serving and giving. God is at work among us!

All this to say, we live in a culture that has more and more people that may have left the church across America, but I know He is at work here in Las Vegas! (I was reminded of this in a recent podcast that seeJesus had recounting the ministry here.) He is at work… and it is good!

I long to continue our journey toward Christ and pointing those in and out of the church to Him.

Held By His Abundant Grace,