Cultural Engagement

Report Details ‘Pivotal Moment’ for Gen Z and Millennials

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

Editor's note: This Throwback Thursday article originally appeared in January of 2021.   

With its report, The Great Opportunity: The American Church in 2050, the Pinetops Foundation examines the fruitfulness, or lack thereof, when it comes to the engagement of today’s teens and young adults. According to its 2018 report, approximately one million young people are leaving the church each year—but a “great opportunity” exists if we can reverse the current trends assigned to Generation Z and younger Millennials. 

Maturity in Christ Is Never Formulaic

The church exists to make disciples of all men and women, sending them out to love and transform the world as ambassadors of Christ. But how exactly do churches make disciples? 

CU Gloria Director: ‘We Want to See Christ Lifted High’

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

Christian Union Gloria and other ministries at Harvard Law School were recently featured on the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). The report, seen on major television stations and online, highlighted a strong Christian presence there and a unified desire to see God move mightily.

Young Professionals Reflect on CU Gloria, Post-College Life 

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

On Good Friday, six Harvard College alumni gathered for "Community at the Cross," a panel discussion hosted by Christian Union Gloria.

John Piper Podcast Addresses the Question

The relationship between holiness and answered prayer appears throughout Scripture. John 15:7 says, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." Psalm 66 says, "I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer."

Male and Female and the Word of God 

Complementarianism, the idea that men and women are not identical, but rather equal and distinct, is a concept we see written throughout Scripture. And as Andrew Wilson argues in this comprehensive article for The Gospel Coalition, it is also written into creation.

Scholar Clearly Defines Popular Phrase

There’s been a lot of talk about civil discourse lately—and how we’ve forgotten how to do it. In a recent conversation with Public Discourse,author Teresa Bejan notes that there is a lot of confusion about the meaning of civil discourse. Bejan is a Professor of Political Theory and a Fellow of Oriel College at the University of Oxford.

Jonathan Haidt Shares His Views on Russell Moore Show

Jonathan Haidt thinks things changed in 2014. The NYU professor, psychologist, and author recently wrote a lengthy article for The Atlantic, "Social Media Is Making America Stupid." He has been trying to put his finger on what has been shifting in our culture for the past eight years. 

The Call to Worship

When it comes to the arts, creativity, and beauty, most people gravitate toward different disciplines. Whether it's poetry or painting or playing guitar or cultivating a garden, each person pursues their own interests and talents. But in Scripture, everyone is commanded to sing. 

Are You a Chronological Snob?

It’s easy to look back on the generations who have gone before us and think, “I’m so glad we've figured things out.” There’s a name for this—chronological snobbery, and unfortunately, it’s a problem for Christians as well.

Q and A with Eileen Bakke and Kristen Short

Editor's note: In light of the recent leak of the Supreme Court's pending and potentially monumental decision regarding Roe v. Wade,Christian Union: The Magazine is republishing this timely article (which originally ran in February, 2022). 

How Christians Can Effect Cultural Change

By David John Seel, Jr., Ph.D.

Christian leaders in the marketplace and in vocational ministry are uniquely "change agents"—they want to make a difference with their lives. However, almost all the models and approaches presented to them for social or cultural engagement are premised on individual action. This could be their undoing.

Christian Union Celebrates 20th Anniversary

By Anne Kerhoulas, Staff Writer

“They say Aslan is on the move—perhaps he has already landed.” 

Werchan ’23 Emerges as a Leader for CU Martus 

By Tom Campisi, Staff Writer

Seth Werchan appreciates every moment he can play baseball this spring, whether it’s using his speed to stretch a single into a double or roaming the green grass of the outfield and camping under a fly ball.

Establishing the Christian Voice, Conscience, and Imagination

As the West grows more and more post-Christian, engaging the predominant culture with the gospel in coherent, winsome, and theologically sound discourse has never been more important. Though apologetics have long been practiced as the way to argue for the plausibility of Christianity and its tenets, cultural apologetics takes those practices a step further to apply gospel and biblical principles to our culture so that we might actually engage people who are uninterested in Christianity.

Fondly Remembering An Evangelistic Blitz from 1985

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

Christian Union is currently in the midst of an ambitious evangelistic initiative called CU Rise, which includes social media campaigns and outreaches at the nine universities where it hosts leadership development ministries. CU Rise will run for eight weeks.

Yale Students Find Ways to Share their Faith Despite COVID-19

By Kelly Parks, Staff Writer

Editor's note: This Throwback Thursday article originally appeared on our site in January of 2021 as ministries like CU Lux at Yale were adapting to the challenges and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Why do Christians believe what they believe?” It’s a question that has intrigued our world for centuries. While cultural Christianity may have sufficed as a reason for some to associate with the Church in years past, in our increasingly secular age, Christians must think more critically about what they believe, and more importantly, why they believe it.

Trinity Forum Conversations Feature James K.A. Smith

Augustine is one of the giants of Christian philosophy and theology, often compared to Paul for his contribution to the faith. But in spite of his enduring impression on how we understand Scripture and ourselves, Augustine offers us an honest and unashamed look at his own life—one that is marked by the struggle of sin and a dependence upon grace. 

"A Disturbing New Normal"

The Church of England is leading its people into an era of confusion, argues Mary Wren, a writer for Premier Christianity magazine. Citing the lack of clarity regarding same-sex marriage, Wren says that the Church of England is less than willing to teach its congregations what Scripture says about the topic—and this is causing division and confusion. 

A Compelling Vision, Practical Goals, Competant Teams, and More

By Dr. Joseph Mattera

The following are eight of the most important leadership principles I have learned as a senior leader over the past three decades. I have found that these principles are vital to the success of any organization, whether it is faith-based or not.