How Government Growth Gave Churches an Excuse to Abandon Their Responsibilities to Society
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How Government Growth Gave Churches an Excuse to Abandon Their Responsibilities to Society
Tommy Barnett examines how the expansion of government has allowed some churches to step back from their traditional roles in education and community building. He argues that the removal of Bible reading and prayer from public schools marked a turning point, forcing churches to create parallel institutions, Christian schools, colleges, and community centers, to preserve faith and values. With 70% of students losing their church values after attending secular colleges, he advocates for building a "society within a society" where young people can strengthen their faith before engaging the broader culture. This perspective challenges both church complacency and the consequences of secularization in American education.
The expansion of government has provided some churches with an excuse to abandon their responsibilities. When government programs began filling roles traditionally held by faith communities, certain churches stepped back rather than maintaining their call to serve society. This shift raises a fundamental question from Scripture: when the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Building a Society Within a Society
The church's response has been to build a society within a society. This isn't about isolation but about creating institutions that preserve and transmit values that secular culture no longer supports. There was a time when families could confidently send their children to public schools, but the removal of Bible reading and prayer marked the beginning of where we find ourselves today.
The Christian School Movement
The necessity of Christian schools became apparent as public education shifted away from its religious foundations. The statistics are sobering: send a child to a public school, and especially to a secular college, and there's a 70% chance they'll return without the values of the church. This reality forced churches to act, building educational alternatives that could preserve faith while providing quality education.
Comprehensive Community Infrastructure
Some churches have responded by creating comprehensive alternatives including colleges, multiple schools, gyms, and gathering places. These aren't merely religious institutions but complete community infrastructures where young people can develop strong faith foundations. The goal isn't to hide from the world but to prepare believers to engage it effectively.
In the World, Not Of It
The biblical principle of being in the world but not of it takes practical form through these institutions. Young people gather in environments that strengthen their convictions, then go out with robust faith to reach others with the gospel. This approach recognizes that cultural engagement requires preparation, not just exposure. Building these parallel structures isn't retreat but strategic investment in the next generation's ability to influence society rather than be conformed by it.
