Confronting Cultural Giants: A Guide for the Prevailing Church

In an era of social unrest, political upheaval, and economic uncertainty, it is easy for the people of God to feel burdened. The temptation is to react by being "against" the destructive forces we see in the world. But in my years of leadership, I have learned it is far more powerful to declare what we are "for."

God is calling His church to wake up, rise up, and stir up His purposes in our culture. This is the essence of high-impact leadership. It’s a call to move beyond a passive, disengaged faith and become ambassadors of reconciliation who extend the kingdom of heaven on earth. As Martin Luther said, “A gospel that does not deal with the issues of the day is not a gospel at all.”

From Withdrawal to Engagement

Sadly, many in the church have withdrawn from society, believing social engagement is a distraction from the gospel or that the world is doomed anyway. Both views are destructive. The early church transformed its culture through active engagement—building schools, hospitals, and orphanages while ministering in villages and cities. The biblical gospel is meant to transform persons, families, and entire communities.

Identifying the 5 Giants of Our Culture

To engage effectively, we must first identify the challenges we face. I have observed at least five cultural "giants" that stand in opposition to a biblical worldview:

1. Historical Revisionism: The attempt to erase or rewrite our nation's biblical and constitutional foundations.
2. The Devaluing of Life: The cultural acceptance of abortion and euthanasia, which denies the sanctity of life from conception to natural death.
3. Religious Repression: The growing pressure to silence religious expression in the public square, often threatened by socialist political and economic systems.
4. Injustice and Division: The persistence of racism and injustice, which stands contrary to God's call for unity and biblical justice.
5. The Redefinition of Identity: The attack on biblical views of gender, sexuality, marriage, and family.

5 Smooth Stones: Our Biblical Response

Rather than simply being "against" these giants, the Lord is calling His people to be "for" a better way. Like David facing Goliath, we have "smooth stones"—timeless biblical principles—to confront these challenges:

1. For Biblical and Constitutional Foundations: We commit to biblical authority as our guide for life and view our Constitution as a sacred trust.
2. For the Sanctity of Life: We commit to treating all human life as precious and made in the image of God, honoring it from the womb until natural death.
3. For Religious Liberty: We commit to defending religious liberty for all, recognizing it as essential for a free and flourishing society.
4. For Biblical Justice and Unity: We commit to pursuing biblical racial unity and applying God's grace and truth to reform our healthcare, immigration, and criminal justice systems.
5. For the Biblical Family: We commit to upholding biblical views of gender, sexuality, and marriage, affirming the right of parents to protect their children.

Your Action Plan: How to Get Involved

So, what can you do? Here is a quick action list for every believer:

1. Pray: Claim the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14. Press into the heart of the Father for our nation and our communities.
2. Study: Dive deeper into one or two of these issues. Organizations like the Family Research Council, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Pacific Justice Institute offer excellent resources.
3. Engage: Get involved locally. Attend school board, city council, or county supervisor meetings. Build relationships with your representatives and let your voice be heard.
4. Connect: Join with believers in your local church. We need communities that manifest radical love, radical grace , and radical truth across our nation.
5. Give: Support Christ-honoring causes. Invest in your local church and in initiatives that extend the witness of God's people.

A Call for a Prevailing Church

God has always called His people to prevail. I am declaring that the era of a passive, disengaged, fear-filled church is over. The people of God are being stirred up for battle against the enemy. Though he roars like a lion, we declare that the only lion who matters is the Lion of the tribe of Judah—and Jesus is His name.

This article is adapted from the book, The Prevailing Church, available on Amazon.