by Christian Union America
For many years a populist mindset has dominated Christian thinking about how to influence a society, meaning that Christians have believed that when a majority of people value virtue, culture will follow. But according to James Davision Hunter, the LaBrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture and Social Theory·at the University of Virginia, "culture changes from the top down; rarely, if ever, from the bottom up."
His historical and sociological research demonstrates that networks of influential individuals with sway over society's culturally powerful institutions determine the culture of a given community, not a majority of people in the community who may hold different values.
If we want virtue to shape our society and culture, we must, in part, persuade the influencers to know and love God and, therefore, desire to value and follow His ways.
Within every society there are those positioned by gifting, calling, and circumstance with disproportionate influence. Through their decisions and actions these leaders establish the norms and patterns of society. It is they who have great influence over what the rest of the population considers acceptable and normative.
Throughout Biblical history, we find that God repeatedly uses leaders through their positions of influence to carry out His will in the larger community. Consider Abraham's wealth, or Moses' training, education, and position of stature in Pharaoh's household. Neither could have fulfilled the purposes laid out for them by the Lord apart from these backgrounds.
Consider Daniel and his extraordinary intellectual and leadership gifts. Consider Paul and his deep training in the Scriptures and Greco-Roman rhetoric and philosophy—could anyone else have spoken the gospel with such power to the men of Athens in Acts 17, or written a letter such as Romans? Consider those of wealth who provided for Jesus' own itinerant ministry, or who allowed local church gatherings to meet in their homes when no other buildings were available.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...if it is leadership, let him govern diligently – Romans 12:6-8
Christian Union believes one of the best ways to reach the world is to reach those who are creating and shaping the culture around us and for future generations. Because Christian Union's heart is for the world, we are passionate about reaching key leaders.
People will be better reached with the gospel when there is an intentional effort to set apart some trained Christian workers to reach them in culturally appropriate and relevant ways. This is why Christian Union, over the last two decades, has established student Christian leadership development ministries at nine of the most influential universities in America.
And this is why Christian Union America focuses on strategic cities, such as New York and Washington DC.
The First Missionaries
This is a strong precedent in the missionary efforts of the early Christians. With amazing consistency, the early church took the gospel first and foremost to the major cities and cultural centers of the Roman Empire with reckless abandon and fantastic conviction in the truth of their message.Virtually all of Paul's letters to his converts are addressed to believers in the most economically, politically, and culturally influential cities in the known world of the time. Rural areas were largely avoided in the first generation. Why was this? Simply because the way to reach the world most efficiently, most quickly, and most successfully was to reach the places of influence and cultural importance, and to then make disciples in these places who would reach the rest of the world.
Christian Union shares this goal. By seeking to advance the kingdom of God at key universities and in key cities, we hope to raise up a whole generation of future leaders for our world who love and submit to Christ with all their hearts and minds.
The Lord does not favor potential leaders more than any others, but neither does He cherish or call them to Himself any less.
Why New York and Washington DC?
New York City and Washington DC are intensely secular. In this, it is similar to the strategic universities where Christian Union dedicates a considerable ministry effort. And perhaps the second point goes without saying: the city is the major hub of culture influence.
People of the world flock to the City and our nation's capital to live, work, study, shop, take in the theater and arts, and simply to be in the heart of the cultural action, amidst the hum and vibrancy of a diverse people group. The fashions, trends, material and spiritual worldview of its citizens spill out to the United States and throughout the world in a dynamic feedback loop that intensifies its cultural influence.
In spite of the outreach and efforts of Christian churches and parachurch ministries within these cities, the mindset and culture of these cities are unabashedly secular.
The history of our nation and of these universities is one of revival. Revivals have swept our nation before beginning with social leaders that unleashed a tremendously positive effect throughout every facet of society. As the knowledge of God and His ways infiltrates all of society, we can expect values of love, respect, courage, kindness, compassion, diligence, and self-discipline to shape culture and improve life in a way that honors and glorifies God.
Training and connecting effective Christian leaders is one way to help transform society for God's glory. Christian unity and humility through prayer and fasting is another.
Join thousands of other Christian Americans in a 14-day National Fast to seek the face of God starting January 2, 2025 here.
