Why are we optimizing a form of church that will fail when the heat is on?

Let’s face it—our world is becoming less friendly to Christianity. And that’s putting it mildly.
There is, even in the “free” western world, increasing opposition, more ridicule, stronger resistance, and yes, even hints of persecution.

Now, you might be thinking, “Well, I’m not worried. Jesus is coming back soon, right?” Maybe. But what if He doesn’t come back as soon as we hope? What if we’ve got another hundred, two hundred, or a thousand years to go? Are we really prepared to live as followers of Jesus in a world that is on a trajectory toward open persecution of his followers?

We need a way of doing church, making disciples, and living the Christian life that works whether Jesus comes back tomorrow or a thousand years from now.

The Time for a New Way

We’re no longer in Christendom. Christianity is not the dominant cultural force it once was. At the same time, we’re also not in a pioneering mission field where people are eager to hear the gospel for the first time. We’re in a unique space—a post-Christendom, burned-over field where people aren’t just skeptical of everything, they’re specifically skeptical of Christianity, especially anything that smacks of organized religion.

Church in the Next Pandemic (or Worse)

Here’s a thought experiment: What’s your church going to do if we face another lockdown? What happens if the government places restrictions on gathering for whatever reason? 
What if opposition to Christianity gets so bad that you can’t rely on your buildings, your programs, or your cultural standing?

What kind of church will thrive in that context?

How about:
A church that doesn’t rely on centralized facilities
A church that doesn’t need government approval or cultural favor
A church that doesn't need charitable status
A church that doesn’t require professional clergy
A church that is not bound to a specific time and place to be the church

Does that describe your church?

Persecution is Possible—Are We Ready?

The days of taking Christianity’s favored status in the public square for granted are over. But I’m not here to discourage you; I’m here to challenge you. We’re not just talking about survival; we’re talking about resilience. We’re talking about a way of living the Christian life effectively, joining Jesus on mission in a sustainable way, whether or not we face true persecution.

What does that look like? Well, it starts by rethinking how we make disciples. If we’re still depending on polished Sunday services, celebrity pastors, or large-scale events to do the heavy lifting, we’re in trouble. Those things aren’t inherently wrong, but they won’t hold up when the pressure comes. And let’s be honest- for the most part that model isn’t working anyway. We’re not reaching many of the non-churched; we’re not making many actual disciples who live all in on mission with Jesus.

Rethinking Church, Rethinking Disciple Making

If our disciple-making strategy isn’t working well now, and if even what we are doing falls apart when things get tough, it’s time for a change. We need systems—small, organic, resilient systems—that can withstand opposition. Systems that don’t rely on being in a building on Sunday mornings. Systems that empower everyday believers to make disciples, not just pastors and leaders.

The beauty of this approach? It works whether the government shuts us down or whether we’re still living in relative freedom. It’s a model that makes sense no matter what the future holds.

Action Point
​Here’s all I’m asking: Take a hard look at how you do church. Take a hard look at your own life as a disciple of Jesus. Are you building effectiveness and resilience into your faith, your church, and your disciple-making efforts? If not, now is the time to adjust.