“Close to Home” is a forum about Christian challenges, but on one of the largest multifaith blogs worldwide, it’s an honor to read other vantage points.
One thing most people of any faith have in common is politics—perhaps not the parties themselves, but the passion related to understanding them. The writers at Patheos.com have taken responsibility and leveraged their experience to produce compelling articles on faith, power, and political allegiance.
Using religion (or spirituality), dogma and enlightened comprehension (or faith) as a lens, this series has challenged millions of readers to consider how they should approach politics and the people who lead it.
As we have explored those topics and thoughts, examining how they affect Christ-followers “close to home,” we have identified some alarming obstacles facing people of faith. Politics are loosely connected to these issues, but they are more related to charismatics and characteristics.
News headlines have shone a light upon them. Misguided people have stumbled over them. Yet, we are reminded of them every single day. What are the most alarming Christian challenges facing us today? What are the issues unique to children of God?
Before we delve into these five major issues to gain understanding, stay in touch with other faith-based matters like these that hit “close to home.” Subscribe to our free newsletter and never miss what’s being said about the Church and being done in the Church—and what real Christians can say and do in return to defend the love and work of Christ.
1. Pablum Hypocrisy
Nothing undermines the Gospel more than leaders who preach integrity but fall spectacularly. Revelations that rocked the ecumenical world, such as Hillsong’s Brian Houston stepping aside for moral failure, Robert Morris on trial for child abuse, or the Church of England’s Archbishop Justin Welby resigning amidst abuse cover-up allegations—aren’t isolated scandals; they’re symptoms of systemic hypocrisy.
Matthew 23:27–28 becomes a mirror when our spiritual leaders remind us how much accountability they need, too. “Whitewashed tombs…inside full of dead men’s bones.” When pastors and preachers, street witnesses or laity run into these public issues, they all have something in common—they all make a loud crash when they fall. And what happens?
The lost lose faith and respect for the church (again), and those people searching for truth find it more challenging to trust a witness for Christ. James 3:1 warns that those who teach should face stricter judgment, so, yes, faith leaders are held to a higher standard—and they should be.
Why? Because when a friend messes up, forgiveness is easy. A little less easy for parents. But when a spiritual leader does it, everyone within a radius is affected. Restoration begins with confession, humility, and reform. Oddly enough, that’s how trust works, too.
2. Secularism, Inclusiveness and the Woke Agenda
Many proclaim “radical inclusivity” for the sake of the church opening its doors to “whosoever will.” Still, when that shifts from Gospel-motivated love to secular ideology, we risk calling secularism truth. One example is when the Church of England’s anti-bullying guidance sparked accusations of “woke indoctrination” for prioritizing intersectionality over biblical equality. Consider this: In many of today’s churches, the dogmatic truth of the Bible is set aside because it may bruise the feelings of those who don’t truly understand it.
Wait, what?!
The Bible doesn’t call Christians to mirror culture but to transform it. Romans 12:2 warns against being “conformed to this world.” The world has its structure, but God Almighty laid the foundation upon which all structures stand. Period. Colossians 2:8 cautions that humanism always seeks to reshape our understanding of sin, forgiveness, and the reality of Jesus. Churches can utilize justice frameworks, but only when grounded in the gospel of repentance, redemption, and holiness, rather than cultural applause.
3. Disjointed Theology
Today’s generation identifies as “Christian” yet lacks biblical depth. In essence, this is what is considered “spiritual, but not religious.” People know the Bible and are familiar with “of Jesus,” but when the infallible Word of God is introduced through conversation, let’s ensure we don’t hurt anyone’s feelings. Barna reveals many hold a Christian identity, one that’s more cultural than doctrinal. When sermons focus on personal comfort rather than confronting sin, believers remain ill-equipped to endure trials or defend their faith.
This is easily one of the most dangerous aspects of staying woke in the pulpit.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us that Scripture equips believers “for every good work.” Without teaching substitutionary atonement, sanctification, and the sovereignty of God, the church tends to drift like trash thrown overboard in a lake. Pastors must rediscover the imperative in Acts 20:28 to “keep watch over yourselves and all the flock,” grounding ministries in message and meaning, rather than ballyhoo and buzzwords.
4. Engaging with Complex Social Issues
This is a rugged mountain to climb, both in terms of biblical challenges and evangelism. You never want to close the door to someone’s questions or judge their lives, but the finality of the Bible can feel abrupt and hurt someone if not communicated with love.
The church’s call to social engagement must be prophetic, not political theater. The bible is fascinating, but it’s not used for entertainment. Similarly, the Bible is not an expensive coaster for drinks. There is truth in those pages that have confronted every believer. Evangelism involves tough questions and, sometimes, even tougher answers. Many megachurches host racial justice panels yet fail to make the enduring investment required for genuine reconciliation. Others recoil from cultural controversies entirely, fearing backlash from guests.
But Micah 6:8 compels us to “do justice, love mercy, walk humbly.” And Matthew 25:40 says serving “the least of these” is akin to serving Christ Himself. When ministry is rooted in Scripture—not trends—the Gospel demonstrates both justice and proclamation. No one’s life should be under the microscope, but when it is, what is seen should be discussed with love, or not at all.
5. Dire Lack of Relevant and Engaging Ministry
Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly disengaged from the church. They’re looking for theological depth, authentic community, and meaningful engagement with mental health and identity challenges—but aren’t finding it.
It takes a GPS to find a ministry for involvement in some megachurches. Other smaller churches have ministries, but children’s outreach with sock puppets doesn’t do the trick. People want substance. They enter the church drinking the milk of the word, but once their diet has increased, they need meat (1 Corinthians 3:2). Worship that is engaging, not a performance of vanity or songs so boring that Spotify won’t even play them. Preaching that captures someone’s imagination, rather than repeating the same topic over and over, in a broken-record style.
Yet the effectiveness of ministry isn’t measured by entertainment value; it’s by transformation. Just because we are encouraged to be “all things to all people, that by all means we might save some,” doesn’t mean we have to liquify the Gospel message into a soup of emotion and misinterpreted scripture. Every song and word must be shared with a Gospel purpose. Colossians 4:5-6 urges us to walk “wise toward outsiders,” seasoned with grace and truth. Churches must blend cultural relevance with an uncompromised message and holistic care.
The question is: Can we?
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