Is a Change Coming?

There are signs that we are in the middle of a moral and spiritual revival:

• Covid backlash. The pandemic was a harrowing experience, but in the end it separated the men from the boys, spiritually speaking. Christians were told not to gather for worship. Some left and never returned. Others stood firm and are now stronger than ever. They love fellowship and Bible studies. They enjoy staying after the services to talk about the church. They take their children to area gospel meetings and Vacation Bible Schools. Bureaucrats tried to cut off this spiritual food supply in 2020, but their scheme only created more hunger for the Word.

• Mass exodus from public schools. Parents have had enough of government schools forcing children to accept the LGBT and Woke agenda. They are sick of of schools giving special treatment to boys and girls that “identify” as dogs and cats. They fear for the physical and moral safety of their children and have decided that enough is enough. As a result, enrollment in private schools and homeschool groups is exploding.

• Growing awareness of the threat of Islam. I recently interviewed an expert on this movement. He said something that surprised me given the popularity of the “Islam is a peaceful religion” myth. He gave examples of vicious attacks in various countries that have opened many eyes to the true nature of this aggressive ideology. He said this shift in thinking is the most positive sign he has seen in the last 20 or 25 years. One example in America is Texas, where 95% of voters in a recent primary opinion ballot said sharia is incompatible with state law.

• Willingness to debate religious issues. In the last 20-30 years, religious debating has declined. It the 1800s and early to mid-1900s, it was common and was not considered unloving or unChristian. In the decades following the crises of the 1960s, the cry was “Peace, not arguments.” Religious debates were discouraged. But recently there has been a surge in open discussion of controversial issues, especially among younger people who are looking for answers. The pendulum is swinging—again.

• Change in attitude about modest dress. Miniskirts, short shorts and skimpy bathing suits came from Baby Boomers (with their parents’ permission and sometimes with their encouragement) in the 60s and 70s. But more and more young parents today are deciding that their parents were wrong. We still have a long way to go in this culture, but this is encouraging.

• Zero tolerance toward drinking alcohol. America has become more and more a drinking nation. We are paying a heavy price for this and we will pay even more. It is a problem in most churches. But there is a strong, biblically-based pushback that is coming to the forefront of the battle.

• A yearning to learn more about how God works in the world. One of the most welcomed sermon topics today is the providence of God. A growing number of people realize that Pentecostal shows and charismatic claims of miraculous powers are empty, but they want to be assured that God works behind the scenes and is not some distant, uninvolved spectator. They are hungry for balanced and practical teaching on divine intervention.

This movement may not be a tidal wave, but it is real. It is high time for it. May the God of heaven grant us strength to fight the good fight of faith for many years.

Kerry

West End church of Christ • July 19, 2026