A church that lacks broader historical and theological awareness risks becoming like Darwin’s finches—so adapted to its immediate environment that it loses the ability to thrive elsewhere. This is particularly dangerous when it comes to raising the next generation. Without a broader awareness of church history and the larger body of Christ, our children can easily come to believe that their individual Christian culture is the norm everywhere. This kind of narrow perspective sets them up for failure when life changes occur.
In my ministry, I could name countless examples of young people who fell away during college—not because they lost their faith outright, but because they failed to connect with another congregation. They stepped into a church that expressed the faith differently, and rather than recognizing their shared foundation in Christ, they felt disconnected and out of place. A shared historical awareness acts as a corrective to this. When we see ourselves not just as generic Christians but as Christians shaped by a distinctive history—one that prioritizes baptism, communion, and a commitment to biblical authority—we develop a stronger sense of spiritual kinship. We recognize that even when expressions of worship or organization differ, our core commitments remain the same. This sense of connection can be the difference between remaining in the faith and drifting away.
Maranatha,
Jordy
