Following Jesus in a Post-Christian Culture

Christianity is no longer "the air we breathe" in America. This is not necessarily bad. American "Christianity" was not necessarily representative of authentic Jesus-following. And, real Christianity has flourished and been a revolutionary force when marginalized and persecuted.

In his book The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith, Stuart Murray gives the following marks of our post-Christian culture.

Churches no longer occupy a central place within culture;

Christians exist as a minority group amidst many ideological communities;

Christianity seeks not to rule over society but to witness to it through lived expressions of God’s kingdom;

Churches reimagine their primary role as a movement rather than an institution; and

Christians move from maintaining the status quo to radically following Jesus from the margins.

Do not be discouraged by this! "In today’s post-Christian culture, Christians would do well to see these changes as opportunities to re-embrace our subversive roots and follow Jesus from the margins. The natural outcome could be a witness characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, enemy love, and justice for the poor. Perhaps Christian credibility will be revived afresh." (Kurt Willems)