Compelling Presence in the Post-Christian Cultureনমুনা

My first Sunday back for in-person worship after COVID lockdowns brought tears to my eyes. In the presence of God’s people, I sensed the potency of God’s very presence. I was reawakened to the deep, existential longing we all have for communion both with God and with others. No matter how much content we ingest, there’s still something missing in a disembodied and digital world that’s void of relationships and personal presence. I believe this longing is universal and it represents a key to engaging our post-Christian culture with the truth of the gospel. To say it another way, the recovery of a vibrant experience of Christian presence is essential to a gospel encounter with our culture. This pursuit of presence will take different forms: in our personal communion with God, in fellowship with the local Church, and then as those who seek to be faithfully present in our communities. What does such a pursuit of presence look like, and how is it a path to engaging those around us?

God’s Presence vs. Religious Performance

In a culture that values authenticity above nearly everything, the Church cannot revert to Sunday morning performances void of God’s presence. The previous generation moved from traditional worship gatherings focused on reverence to attractional models focused on excellence. In a sense, these “worked” to engage de-churched people in late Christendom. However, it no longer seems effective, especially in post-Christendom contexts.

Rather than seeking to perform, the Church must focus more on authentically hosting God’s presence. We need to adopt Moses’s humble and desperate posture, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here” (Exodus 33:15).

This will require spending time in prayer to seek God’s presence more than working toward perfection in Sunday worship. It means leaving room for the Spirit to change our plans rather than sticking to a strict timeline. It includes teaching people to keep in step with the Spirit, following His leadership, and overflowing with His Living Water in our everyday interactions. This emphasis on prayer and communion with God will bring fresh power to the Church, proving more transformative than the empty spiritual practices of the modern age.

What is one way for you to begin pursuing the presence of God more in your daily life?