When I last wrote about weakness in the church, I lamented the silence of our churches during moments when we needed them most. During the Kirk Cameron library event, for example, too many pastors chose the easy road of silence over the bold path of truth-telling.
As a society, we did not end up here overnight or by accident. We are at this point because Christian values have been under attack for years – made possible by cowardice in the pulpit. For decades, many churches chose to “sit down and shut up,” worried more about offending someone or losing tithes than about fulfilling their biblical duty. Instead of standing firm on the gospel and speaking the hard, uncomfortable truths, too many pastors chose the coward’s path: telling people what they wanted to hear. This has produced nothing but societal decay and rot.
Today, entire generations have been taught that “tolerance and acceptance” or “love is love” are the biblical way. They are not. The biblical way is a relationship with Jesus Christ, and nothing less will heal the pain and emptiness people feel. The church’s weakness has left people hurting, searching for meaning, and missing the one true solution to their brokenness. If the church had done its job from the beginning, we would not be facing this crisis today. That history of compromise makes what comes next all the more urgent.
Much has changed since I wrote that original piece. The stakes are no longer theoretical. Just days ago, Charlie Kirk was assassinated in cold blood because of his unapologetic faith and political convictions. His death is a chilling reminder of what happens when truth is silenced and when the church retreats instead of standing firm.
At this moment in history, the church has only two choices:
- Find the courage to preach biblical truth without compromise.
- Shut its doors, admitting it has become a cowardly institution peddling false doctrine.
There is no third option. A church that refuses to confront evil with truth is not neutral; it is complicit.
To further expand the urgent need for churches in Alabama to find their backbone, let’s consider the enormous economic growth coming to our state. Growth can result in great opportunities, but it can also result in unwanted cultural shifts. Just recently, it was announced that Space Command will be relocating to Huntsville. The mayor might downplay it as just 700 new jobs over a few years, but let’s be honest: that’s 700 families, 700 sets of values, and a cultural ripple effect.
We’ve already watched how new growth can erode our community’s cultural fabric. As more jobs come in, we’re importing people who may not share Alabama’s conservative values. It’s not that growth is bad – but if our churches aren’t politically engaged, we risk losing our identity. I’m seeing more and more signs of cultural attack – like the sudden increase in LGBTQ flags around town or in our schools. These are not harmless symbols; they are visible markers of the cultural encroachments happening right here.
But there is hope for our state and our local communities. In the middle of this discouragement, I found a church in Madison, Ala., that has accepted the challenge of speaking real truth – Movement Church. It is a church that understands its godly responsibility to confront cultural issues from the pulpit. In recent months, I’ve heard them call out the evils of transgender ideology without flinching. They’ve addressed life, family and marriage in clear biblical terms. And they’ve even begun engaging politically, understanding that their voice is needed in the public square.
We are also approaching a monumental year for elections in our state. We have the opportunity to elect a governor who stands firmly for conservative values, and to fill every office – from lieutenant governor to state auditor to state school board – with Bible-believing, grassroots conservatives. When we do this, we can pass laws and policies that truly reflect our community’s values. And when Alabama is led by strong Christian conservatives at every level, it sends a message. It makes those who want to push a left-leaning agenda think twice before moving here just for a job.
For all these reasons, this is why our churches must choose between courage or cowardice. They can’t just preach about values on Sunday morning – they must also equip their members to act on those values throughout the week. That means encouraging civic engagement, guiding their members to the polls, and making sure the body of Christ recognizes that silence in the public square is not neutrality – it’s surrender.
If you’re not sure where your church stands on the boldness and unafraid scale, consider a few questions. Did your church celebrate, or even mention, the overturning of Roe v. Wade? Did your church denounce the attempted assassinations of President Trump? Did your church mention Charlie Kirk’s name this week? If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” then you should consider if the place you go each Sunday truly embodies the values of God’s church. What is preached from the pulpit is exactly how you will perceive the world and what your children will grow to believe is the truth of God. It’s a really hard place to be in. I know because I lived it for years. But the truth is, you cannot settle for comfort over conviction.
In the end, this is about more than politics. It’s about ensuring that Alabama remains a place where our values aren’t just preserved but flourish. Movement Church has shown that it’s possible to preach boldly, engage politically, and stand firm in faith. Their response to the assassination of Charlie is just an example of how they are accomplishing all of this. Now we need more churches to do the same – to guide their members in voting for leaders who will keep Alabama strong, and to recognize that every election shapes the future of our community.
Alabama’s future is not just shaped in Montgomery or Washington – it is forged in the pulpits of our churches. If pastors will not lead with courage, the church will become irrelevant at best and a stumbling block at worst. But if they do, the church can still be the firewall that protects our families, our children, and our state from cultural collapse.
Silence is surrender. Preach the truth – or close the doors.
Emily Jones is a native of North Alabama and the content contributor of The Controversial Mom podcast on Right Side Radio. She is the founder of the first Moms for Liberty chapter in the state seeking to fight for the preservation of parental rights and the protection of our children. She is currently running for the State Board of Education in District 8.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please email your name and contact information to [email protected].
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
