If you know the writings of Stephen McAlpine, you will already know how helpful his thoughts are for Christians in Australia. If you don't know his writings, you will do well to read this book and learn from him.
It is important to recognise that McAlpine is confident that the church has a future. Many pundits in our society, and in many parts of the West, seem confident that the church does not have a future. Indeed, some are working to ensure the church doesn't have a future. McAlpine reminds us of the promises of Jesus that the gates of hell will not overcome the church (Matt 16:17-19) and that as we work out our salvation, we do so knowing that God works in us (Phip 2:12-13). But this doesn't mean we just do what we have always done believing we will get different results. Rather, we consider the times in which we live with wisdom.
McAlpine breaks his book into two sections. He describes it in this way; section one - the gospel gives us a better vision for the future than the world can offer; section two - how Christians can respond healthily and robustly to four areas of anxiety that eat up secular culture (polarisation & loneliness, technology, culture wars, and ecology). p82
Here's what stands out for me in reading this book and seeking to apply it to my life as a pastor and husband (I am a father too, but they've grown up and left home now).
The church as a community is essential in our time. McAlpine highlights the loneliness epidemic of our age and asks if churches are ready to welcome people who come with messed up lives and no church knowledge. It's a good question. The drawn out lockdowns of the Covid years had a devastating impact on many congregations. As Christians, we have such little opportunity to meet together that we should be doing all we can to make sure we grab hold of the times we can. I am confused by those who have decided not to return to church because it is 'inconvenient'. You are robbing yourself.
Christians have a confidence in the future. This confidence is missing in the lives of many, particularly for younger people. He references 2 Peter 3 on this matter. This is interesting because Peter gives us reason to be confident in the future but also warns his readers that life won't be easy - "you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires." Every age needs to be made aware of this.
"A god-free heaven so often turns out to be hell on earth"
The essential value of discipleship. This won't be a surprise to most readers of this book. However , we might need to reconsider how we do discipleship in our time. I did most of my growing up in the Eighties and a good discipleship program then involved meeting up with someone and working through a book together, and that was great. Someone growing up now is facing all kinds of issues which are so different to anything I had to deal with, and the discipleship program (there must be a better word) must also be different.
One thing that does stay the same is spending time with mature Christian people. If you are a young Christian, make sure you turn up to church each Sunday. Time with these saints week by week will help to shape you as a follower of Christ. If you are a mature Christian, make sure you turn up to church each Sunday. You may not fully appreciate how much you are discipling the young saints in what you do - so be someone worth emulating.
"I'm encouraged to think of my French friend who, growing up, was the only Christian in a high school of 4,000 students. In a deeply secular country, he knew what it was to be in a minority! Yet is small evangelical church experience was deep and rich. And far more compelling than school."
The final chapter might surprise some readers, but McAlpine is connecting with the concerns of many in our society as he writes on ecology. Here he notices the paradox that society doesn't want to hear anything religious from the church, but the religious type zeal on this issue is acceptable. Indeed, it seems to be unacceptable to hold anything less than a religious fervor on this. Pages 145-147 are enlightening.
McAlpine has once again offered his readers much to think about as we look into the crystal ball of the future and endeavour to be a godly influence in our society. Fortunately, he doesn't just leave us with thoughts. He also offers some practical suggestions, and not in the way that others might - you won't find 'ten steps to success' here, just practical suggestions.
You can hear Stephen McAlpine discuss this book and other matters in this podcast.
