What is next for America? A Reckoning of the Church- Part I

            Inside my house in the Appalachian Mountains, I turned on the television to watch President Joe Biden give his inaugural speech. Millions of Americans tuned in today with many wondering what is ahead for this nation. On Capitol Hill, Joe Biden took his oath of office and gave an inaugural speech aimed at trying to “unite” the country and to steer the course of this nation from divisive politics. Yet the crises that America is navigating have redefined the inauguration and challenge Biden as he navigates his first day in office. The inauguration was sparely attended in-person (due to the current pandemic)- replaced by nearly 200,000 American flags on the National Mall. Replacing in-person gatherings and inaugural balls are memorial services dedicated to those who have lost their lives due to Covid-19 in this nation. Even Biden’s speech carried the theme of shouldering a nation that is navigating multiple crises at once. Racial justice, the coronavirus pandemic, and how we engage civilly in democratic politics were all discussed. This day- an American tradition since the US was founded- was altered to some extent because of the circumstances that we are navigating as a country. Yet as he travelled to the White House after the festivities on the Capitol concluded- what is next for this nation?

              The United States is a nation many people from across the world look up to. Many call it the “land of opportunity”- a place where freedoms are enshrined in the constitution and where people from across the world live, work, and seek to build their lives. It is a nation that has dominated the world stage for the past several decades- and continues to work with world leaders internationally. Yet it is far from a perfect country. We have a challenging history that we are continuing to grapple with, and the events of 2020 brought many things to the surface. How are we to slow the spread of Covid-19 while being able to gather together to worship God? How can racial justice be advanced and institutional racism be dismantled while being able to heal hostility and fear between police and many communities of color? How can people come together as Americans and learn to understand one another even as many people in this nation have beliefs, ideologies, and religions that are in conflict with different belief systems?

              On the same steps of the Capitol that the 46^th President was sworn in today, a scene of chaos and destruction took place just two weeks earlier. On January 6, thousands of Trump supporters descended upon Capitol Hill as the election certification process took place. While the protest largely started out as peaceful, a chunk of them were mobilized after a series of (what many viewed as inflammatory) speeches (including one by Trump) to march to the Capitol. The scene descended into violence as the Capitol Police were ill-prepared for the mob that rushed past them. Windows were smashed in the Capitol Building as looting took place. Lawmakers sheltered in place as police evacuated them to safety as quickly as possible. At the end of it all- this day would ultimately be remembered as a tragedy for this country. It was not only a tragedy because of the five lives that were lost in the midst of the Storming of the Capitol- but it was also a tragedy for the Church as many who rioted professed Jesus’ name while partaking in violence that He would have never endorsed.

              We do not know what 2021 holds in store. We do not know what the Biden presidency will look like and what direction this country will take over the next four years. Yet we can pray for Biden and his leadership as he starts his first term in office.  In light of these events- both the Storming of the Capitol and the Inauguration- what is next for this nation? What is next for a country that is beginning to “turn the page” and enter into a new chapter of government? Yet in order to get to this question- we as a church must unpack what has taken place. Sometimes, this unpacking can be quite challenging to undertake and reveal many things that are unsettling to confront. Yet as we grow in our faith in Christ- we must not be afraid to look at these things and repent from wrongdoings as we seek to make Christ’s name known. Confronting the past as a Church is hard (including what led up to the events at the Capitol)- but it can lead to hearts transformed by the Gospel and ultimately to lives being transformed among the nations.

              While I am ending the post here, I hope to blog with Part II (and maybe a Part III) and challenge the American church in a number of ways as we move forward as a nation. I plan to discuss these items in detail and how they relate to the church:

I. The importance of moving away from “Cultural” Christianity and towards wholeheartedly following Jesus.

II. Not putting politics above the Gospel message in America nor using politics to force national / moral transformation that is only possible with the genuine Gospel.

III. Not fearing the “other side” of politics and where we ultimately fit into politics.

IV. The need to love others with different views while speaking the truth in love.

V. Leading by example and establishing a witness to others as to who a Christian really is.

VI. Examining scripture and moving from a tendency for some to “twist scripture” to a selfless “obedience” perspective of allowing the Bible to shape and challenge one’s lifestyle and walk.

VII. Not being afraid of darkness and instead choosing to shine the light amid the darkness- even if it means persecution, sacrifice, and hardship.

              Let’s continue to pray for this nation and how the church will look at what has taken place in 2020 and 2021. I look forward to keeping in touch and thank you for your prayers about this upcoming mission trip as well!