Episode 25: What does the church’s future look like? | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed

The Future of the Church: Rooted in Truth, Anchored in Christ

As we reflect on what the future holds for the Church, we're reminded that we are not speculating about a business, a school, or a brand—we’re talking about the body of Christ. While people may project trends and forecasts for institutions and industries, we have something more solid when it comes to the Church: we have the end of the story.

The Church doesn’t belong to us. It belongs to Jesus. And because of that, its future is bright.

Holding Fast to Truth in a Time of Deconstruction

Right now, we're walking through a cultural moment where many are deconstructing their faith or stepping away from the Church altogether. Why? A big part of it comes down to trust and clarity. Many are simply tired of not getting straight answers—especially the younger generation. There's a growing hunger for truth, not fluff. People want to know what Christianity really teaches, and they’re okay wrestling with whether it’s good for them—they just don’t want to be misled.

In the past, some churches focused more on being inviting than being truthful. Doctrine was minimized. Christ was presented more as a lifestyle enhancer than as Savior and Lord. But that’s not working anymore—nor should it. We’re seeing that when we strip the gospel down to just a vibe or experience, we leave people vulnerable when hardship hits. Emotions fade, but truth endures.

This is why we believe the Church must be both bold and loving in how we present the truth. We can’t afford to offer half-truths or emotional hype. Instead, we need to be deeply rooted in Scripture and communicate the gospel in a way that’s faithful and understandable to our context.

Faithful Presence in a Changing Culture

We’re also living in an age of information overload. Social media, especially platforms like TikTok, floods us with competing voices, often passionate but not always grounded. When passion is mistaken for truth, confusion reigns. We hear everything from conspiracy theories to false gospels, and it’s easy to start questioning everything—even the Church.

That’s where our call as the Church becomes so vital. We’re invited to steward Christ’s Church with faithfulness in this moment. We are called to contextualize without compromising—knowing our neighborhoods, our cultures, and our communities well enough to speak the truth in ways that are understandable and compelling.

We see examples of this all around us. Our own church, Emmanuel, has adapted over the decades—from Dutch to English, then English to Spanish and Nepalese—not because the message changed, but because the context did. We’ve held fast to the historic truths of the faith, like those declared in the Apostles’ Creed, while making sure the message is heard clearly by the people around us.

And that’s the kind of Church we believe in: one that isn’t swayed by trends but also isn’t afraid to engage with culture. One that doesn’t trade clarity for comfort. One that offers solid ground when everything else feels like shifting sand.

We believe the Church has a hopeful future because it is built on Christ, not on clever strategies or cultural approval. Our job is to point people back to that foundation again and again—with boldness, with humility, and with a deep love for the truth.

Rooted in the Word, Led by the Spirit

When we talk about faith, we often come back to two pillars: the Word and the Spirit. Together, they form a powerful, biblical foundation—not just for our individual walks with Christ, but for the way we build marriages, raise families, and disciple others. As we reflect on the Apostles' Creed, we’re reminded that we cannot know Christ apart from the Word. Scripture is how God has chosen to reveal Himself to us, but it doesn’t stop there. We also need the Spirit, who empowers us, gifts us, and makes the Word come alive in our hearts and lives.

When the Word and the Spirit work in tandem, it’s a beautiful gift. This isn’t optional. It’s necessary. And it becomes even more clear as we try to disciple the next generation.

We’re raising a generation that’s not afraid to ask, “Why?” They’re not content with inherited beliefs or surface-level answers. They want to know why we follow Jesus, why biblical ethics matter, and why the church exists in the first place. And honestly? That’s a good thing.

We’re being called back to catechism, to doctrine, to intentional teaching. Youth ministry isn’t just games and pizza anymore—it’s becoming Sunday school again. We’re seeing a hunger to understand the foundations of faith, which tells us that cultural Christianity may be dying, but something real is rising in its place.

Answering the Why and Preparing for the Future

We’ve all noticed a shift. The questions young people are asking aren’t superficial—they’re existential. They want substance. And as leaders, mentors, and fellow believers, we must be willing to sit with their questions and walk through Scripture with them.

Cultural Christianity is losing its grip, and that’s actually something we celebrate. Because when people stop identifying with Christianity out of habit or heritage, and start pursuing Jesus out of conviction, the church grows stronger—even if smaller at first.

We’ve seen glimpses of this all around us. From the Asbury revival to students leading spiritual movements on college campuses, God is stirring hearts. Young people are leading the charge, and the local church must be ready. That means we need a succession plan. The older generation—faithful and steady—won’t be here forever. So now’s the time to invest in young leaders, teach them what we believe and why, and empower them to lead with conviction.

We’re also reminded that the church is, and always has been, countercultural. As Bob Thune puts it, we don’t need churches that chase relevance or wage culture wars. We need churches that are joyfully and deeply rooted in the gospel—a gospel counterculture that embodies a whole new way of life.

United in Christ, Now and Forever

So where does that leave us? Hopeful.

The Apostles’ Creed reminds us of the certainty of the church. Despite its imperfections, the church belongs to Christ. One day, it will be perfected, sanctified, and united. We’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with believers from every era—Luther, Calvin, the early church, and millions of unnamed faithful followers—worshiping at the throne of Jesus.

We’ve caught glimpses of this unity in big stadiums or powerful worship gatherings. But even the largest earthly crowd can’t compare to the glory of that moment when all of God’s people, past and present, gather to proclaim, “Holy, holy, holy.” That day is coming, and it’s going to be glorious.

Until then, we press on—teaching, discipling, asking the hard questions, and living by the Word and the Spirit. The future of the church is bright, not because of us, but because Christ is at the center.

Let’s stay faithful, curious, and expectant.