Looking at the world today, I often find myself asking, “Where is the voice of the Church?”

In the midst of escalating cultural and political chaos, one voice seems noticeably absent: that of the Church. With few exceptions—most notably in the United States—the pressing cultural and political issues of our time are rarely prayed about, mentioned, or taught within church walls. As a result, many churchgoers are left in the dark about how to view current events through a biblical lens.

So, how are people supposed to live faithfully? Who will teach and encourage them to remain steadfast in the God-given principles that lead to a fulfilling, God-honouring life?

When G.K. Chesterton was asked, “What is America?” he famously replied, “A nation with the soul of a church.”

This sentiment aligns with the oft-repeated phrase: “One Nation under God.”

Similarly, Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms begins with the acknowledgment: “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.”

But here’s the pressing question: If not the Church, who is left to speak for God?

When we examine the founding documents of both the United States and Canada, it’s clear that the Church was intended to work alongside government. The goal? To ensure that all governing actions are directed toward the common good—establishing justice and promoting the health and prosperity of citizens. In this way, the Church was meant to act as the nation’s conscience, the vehicle through which the wisdom of God is made known to the people.

Yes, wisdom. But what is wisdom?

Wisdom isn’t just knowledge or information; it’s the right application of that knowledge. So, how are we doing at rightly applying the knowledge that we have?

It’s no secret that even some of the founding fathers of the United States and Canada were complicit in practices that blatantly contradicted the truths they claimed to uphold. They declared that all people are created in the image of God and are of equal value, yet their actions often betrayed this foundational belief. It is also well known that some church leaders have also betrayed the truths they professed to hold inviolable. As such their wisdom could be questioned.

Never the less the principles themselves remain valid. Just because godly principles are misapplied by some doesn’t invalidate them. When these principles, enshrined in constitutions and covenants, are violated in practice, who is responsible for holding leaders accountable? Who is meant to speak on behalf of God if not the church?

When I say church, I don’t mean the often ineffective institutional church or the appointed leaders of churches but the entire community of faith—the people of God, whose influence in our communities is critically important. We are called to not only prayerfully appoint and support godly leaders but also to ensure they adhere to biblical principles that uphold justice and prosperity for all. Second we, in concert with our neighbours, are to do likewise for community leaders. Failure to do so leads to the escalating immorality and social violence we see today.

Remaining silent, pretending that issues outside the church walls aren’t our concern is not a wise option. Silence is tacit approval and complicity in the evil. A stark example is that of many churches in Germany during World War II. It is said that as the trains carrying victims to death camps rumbled past, these churches simply sang louder to drown out the sound.

The soul of our country is the church. Singly lofty hymns and choruses in our sanctuaries won’t fulfill our responsibility to be the soul of the nation. Also if we are to fulfill our mandate as stewards of earth, as God instructed, then we cannot remain silent. The voice of the church must be heard for the sake of our communities and our country.