In the last 50 years, culture has drastically changed. As culture secularizes and young people increasingly claim no religion at all, the church is searching for a way forward. Today there are nearly 30 million more people who are “religiously unaffiliated” than just 10 years ago.
The Christian response has largely revolved around the politicization of faith, the privatization of belief, or accommodation to the broader culture.
The Culture Wars: Faith is politicized in a battle for power and control between “us” and “them.
The Retreat From Culture: Faith is privatized from culture as “just my personal beliefs.”
Accommodation to Culture: Faith adopts the beliefs and practices of a secular culture.
But we believe there’s a better way. We believe our daily work is a way to love God, serve our neighbors, and demonstrate the gospel.
We’re convinced that a new way forward is needed for Christian public engagement in a pluralistic, secular culture. What would it mean for Christians to be known by our love?
Rather than choosing right or left, retreat or the culture wars, we believe vocation is the way each of us can respond to God’s voice, serve our neighbors, and re-engage culture as people rooted in Christ’s love.
Through our events, resources, and emerging leader fellowship, we are charting a new path.
Will you join us?
Editor’s note: “Culture is Changing” is a series of posts from the 2019 Annual Report.
Jeff Haanen is a writer and entrepreneur. He founded Denver Institute for Faith & Work, a community of conveners, teachers and learners offering experiences and educational resources on the gospel, work, and community renewal. He is the author of An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God’s Purpose for the Next Season of Life and an upcoming two-book series on spiritual formation, vocation, and the working class for Intervarsity Press. He lives with his wife and four daughters in Denver and attends Wellspring Church in Englewood, Colorado.
