It is evident in the past 30 years that churches in the United States have increasingly drifted away from our mission of making disciples of Jesus and have lost cultural influence.

Every generation is becoming less religious and less Christian. 2/3 of today's American churches have stopped growing or have declined.

While religion in the United States was once seen as social good, it is increasingly considered by many to be bad for people and a major obstacle to social progress. The Church is facing an increasing rejection of a shared sacred order and an intentional separation from shared moral values and absolutes.

This drift from our mission of making disciples of Jesus and loss of cultural influence should not cause the Church and Christians to be discouraged or panic. Instead, it should cause us to self-evaluate, seek God in prayer, and sacrificially collaborate more intentionally for gospel-focused city outreach and community renewal - for God's glory and the good of the city.