Shift

Through the direction of Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be equipped to speak the truth of God with boldness, proclaiming Jesus to a world that needs to know Him. 2nd Corinthians chapter 3 says:
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away,
8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

In verse 12, Paul writes, "Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech..."

In the face of bold declarations from those who do not hold to a Christian worldview, it is important that we are convinced within our own hearts that the Bible is true, the Holy Spirit is real, and that our message is compelling, in order that hearts might be changed.  This is not a time in history where the Church retreats into its enclaves and buildings, thinking about the way things once were - it is now a time to move forward in confidence that God is with us and that Jesus is the answer to the challenges of the culture.

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In the closing words of the book of Acts, we see the apostle Paul boldly declaring the truth of Scripture and providing a template for our actions. We can read in Acts 28:
28 "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!"
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Because we have been born again, we have been empowered by the Spirit of God to proclaim the truth of Scripture. And, with Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month approaching, we can affirm and pray for the calling that those who stand in the pulpit have in order to dramatically impact the spiritual state of our nation - what an incredible and weighty responsibility!

A recent pastors' conference, or summit, highlighted this power.  It occurred in San Diego, and according to Breitbart, one pastor said in response to the event, "Only the pulpits have the power to change America...” According to the event website, speakers included David Barton, William Federer, Victor Marx, Rob McCoy, Raul Ries, Frank Turek, and Nic Vujicic. 

More than 500 people attended the event, which was sponsored by Turning Point USA Faith.  This is not to be confused with David Jeremiah's ministry, Turning Point.

Charlie Kirk leads the organization known as TPUSA for short, and said this, according to that article: "There remains one institution in America that the radical left doesn’t control, and that is the American Church,” adding, “The Church is the last firewall to freedom.” 

Now, I don't regard Kirk to necessarily be a theologian, but he has surrounded himself with some quality pastors and church leaders who are dedicated to seeing God move in our nation.  He has appeared on James Dobson's radio program and will be speaking at a conference at Jack Hibbs' church along with Jan Markell this fall.  He was also a speaker at this year's National Religious Broadcasters convention. 

Kirk went on to say, “But there are three types of churches in America today: the courageous, the cowardly, and the complicit, and this final category is growing fast...TPUSA Faith wants to raise up a whole new generation of trained, equipped, and action-oriented pastors and church leaders who want to get involved in the public square.”  

The article quoted from California pastor Shane Idleman of Westside Christian Fellowship, who, "recalled a moment in which a speaker told the audience, 'This group can change the nation.'" He went on to say, “I immediately thought about the possibilities, because when God calls a person, God can do incredible things through one person,” adding, “Our calling is to preach the unadulterated word of God, and awaken a spiritually dead church.”

Idleman wrote a piece at The Stream website, in which he elaborated on some ideas he had in the aftermath of the Pastors' Summit. He writes, and I agree:

Sadly, many leaders are uncertain about speaking on topics they deem political. “I only preach the gospel,” they say. They fail to realize that the gospel affects all areas of life — from the unborn to our borders, and from LGBTQ+ issues, socialism, sex trafficking, wokeness, even war and peace. The gospel changes the heart, which in return, changes the nation.

Additionally, when pastors lack boldness about hot-button topics, it affects all areas of preaching. As a result, the “gospel” they preach is often a watered-down, non-offending, powerless message. If we lack the boldness to preach on the outworking of the gospel in our society, we soon will also quail at telling people the difficult truths of salvation, from repentance to judgment.

Pastor Idleman notes:

Truly changing this nation must first begin in our hearts. Spiritual awakenings often start with thunder in the pulpit. We must follow Isaiah’s lead and raise our voice like a trumpet (58:1) — calling people to awake and arise (60:1)!

We must confront issues that are destroying families, harming children, and setting us up for tremendous failure. Don’t be shamed into silence! Remember that the “light of the world” must shine in all areas of life, not just flicker within the four walls of the church.

We can change our nation, but it first must begin with the fire, anointing, and unction of the Spirit in our pulpits. We need the thunder of the Spirit before the rain of revival can fall again.

Now is not a time for silence.  And, as it's been pointed out, some are intimidated because they think they should not be speaking about issues that are deemed to be "political."  Political involvement is a currency through which cultural change can take place - it's not exclusive in that role, but it can be a way for things to get done, and Christians should not turn away from using this opportunity.

But, the change of hearts through the redemptive work of the Church is the main avenue through which we can see a culture transformed.  We have to depend on the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts to shift our thinking and to direct our engagement.  We have to have confidence in the Word and the boldness of the Spirit, so that the Kingdom of God will advance.  Through the salvation of souls, we can see that alteration of thinking - the renewal of minds to the mind of Christ.