
Many live with this perspective on society: The world around me is broken, the deck is stacked against me, and nobody powerful is on my side.
By Scott McConnell
Throughout the past few years, many have been aware of the brokenness of people in our communities. Churches have had the opportunity to love neighbors by empathizing, pointing them to mental health professionals, and offering them the hope of Jesus Christ.
But what about the broken systems around us? What role does the church play in addressing the despair people feel about the brokenness of society itself?
According to an Ipsos survey, more than 6 in 10 Americans agree with three statements about our country’s systems:
- The United States economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful (66%)
- Traditional parties and politicians don’t care about people like me (64%)
- Experts in this country don’t understand the lives of people like me (61%).
Many of those in your church and those you meet in your community are living with this perspective on society: The world around me is broken; the deck is stacked against me; and nobody powerful is on my side.
These feelings don’t come from just one age group, one ethnic group, or one interest group. The majority of Americans are feeling pushed to the sidelines of today’s culture.
“The majority of Americans are feeling pushed to the sidelines of today’s culture.” — @smcconn Share on XFeeling people’s pain
The first way churches can respond is by acknowledging the hurt people are feeling. Unfortunately, if we don’t give this some thought, it comes out wrong. Too often, we join the complaining rather than letting our neighbors know we hear their pain of feeling left out of our broken society. We quickly share the latest offense from a large company, law, or policy that makes our lives more difficult.
Instead of taking up their offense and talking about being offended ourselves, we should acknowledge our society’s brokenness. Then move toward talking about how to make a difference and how God cares for us.
Praying for society’s leaders
When we start down the path of thinking life’s deck is stacked against us, it is easy to think of institutions and forces at play rather than the real people in those organizations. Paul’s first letter to Timothy put great importance on praying for those people in positions of authority. “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, CSB).
Let’s encourage each other to pray for the leaders of the companies and government agencies represented in our congregations. Let’s pray for influential people and business leaders in our communities.
The next time we see something that needs improvement in our county, let’s pray for those leaders who maintain transportation, sanitation, taxation, or safety. We need God’s grace to extend to these people and the processes they oversee. We celebrate the amazing things God’s gifts of knowledge and ingenuity bring. But we also witness “the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire” (2 Peter 1:4b, CSB).
Treating others with dignity
Peter went on to tell believers how to combat this corruption. He encourages us to make every effort to add to our faith seven things: goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7).
We can follow Peter’s example and encourage church members to add goodness wherever possible. If they can make instructions clearer or a process fairer, they can improve broken systems. Even someone whose job is entrenched in red tape can treat those they serve with dignity. Caring about the people you serve can completely change a person’s impression of your organization.
Sirens can remind us to pray for first responders because of their heroic roles in helping society. But anyone can be heroic by showing the same care and value for other human beings in their day-to-day work. Sure, the care may not be a life-or-death situation, but it can be life-giving.
Introducing God’s character
When we describe God to others, how do we describe His posture? Is He seated on His throne as Isaiah describes in Isaiah 6? Or is He standing as David described in Psalm 109? David said, “I will fervently thank the Lord with my mouth; I will praise him in the presence of many. For he stands at the right hand of the needy to save him from those who would condemn him” (Psalm 109:30-31, CSB).
“When it feels like no institution, no political party, and no leader is on their side, people need to hear that God is trustworthy because He is by our side.” — @smcconn Share on XGod’s authority, sovereignty, and sustaining power through all creation that He exhibits on His throne before Isaiah is real. But it is also true that God cares for the needy—both physically and spiritually. And while He is powerful enough to do anything from a seated position, He stands next to the needy to show He cares.
When it feels like no institution, no political party, and no leader is on their side, people need to hear that God is trustworthy because He is by our side.
Sharing the true source of hope and peace
As we become aware of the pain and mistrust people around us feel because our society is broken, we discover deep needs only Christ can meet. A Lifeway Research survey of Americans for Evangelism Explosion reveals 74% of Americans say it is important to have peace. And 71% say it is important to have hope in their lives.
When people believe the rich are the only ones with peace and there is little hope, they may be curious if we share the source of our hope and peace. Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14), and He is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1). To experience the hope and peace we have found, individuals must hear and believe that Jesus died in their place to pay the penalty for their sins and restore their relationship with God.
“While our broken society leaves people discouraged, churches are vital for acknowledging and praying for these problems and pointing those in our community to a relationship with Jesus Christ.” — @smcconn Share on XWhen people are concerned that nobody with any power is on their side, we can share the opportunity they have for the all-powerful God to be on their side. Many would love to recite the rhetorical question with us, “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31b, CSB). But we must be clear that this truth only applies to those who are justified by faith and conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
While our broken society leaves people discouraged, churches are vital for acknowledging and praying for these problems and pointing those in our community to a relationship with Jesus Christ. He alone provides the hope and peace they lack.
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
