Three Practical Applications For Missional Clarity In 2026
by Rev. Mark E. Tidsworth, Founder and Team Leader
Remember way back in 2025 when we looked longingly across the New Year, hoping with all our might that 2026 would be smoother sailing for God’s Church in this USA?
And… no. Rather than spill ink on describing the volatility in which we swim, let’s jump right to the bottom line for church leadership in 2026. We need clear direction for our churches, lest they find themselves on shifting sand in the strong currents in our contexts. This is why missional clarity matters. Those churches who have a clear sense of mission, who can articulate this with real words, and who are collectively committed to this mission… those churches are positioned well for not only surviving, but thriving in times of high volatility.
If your church does not have missional clarity, call us now! Or contact somebody! Do the work to get there as quickly as you can. Otherwise, well… Here are three practical ways your church is equipped for these specific times in 2026 when you have missional clarity.
Missional clarity is the corrective for the politization of Christian faith.
Rather than read America biblically, too many are reading the Bible American-ly. In other words, there are forces at work encouraging us to align our faith with partisan political viewpoints, rather than allowing our faith to shape our politics. This is not a new struggle for humankind. The Church has always had a love/hate relationship with governmental powers. Of course the government wants the influence of the Church on its side. Yet anytime we ally with partisan political parties, we limit and shrink the influence of God’s Church. We then trade the power of the gospel for the power of the state. The pressure to align sermons, teaching, and church activity with political points of view is exceedingly high in these moments.
The relevant good news, which can serve as antidote, is the fact that God’s ways are far bigger than our ways. The church is not situated in the center, just between two American political parties. The church is not even on this partisanship spectrum. The church is not the mascot of one form of government over another. Instead, the truth of the gospel, the Way of Jesus as described in scripture, is bigger and better than any humanly constructed governmental perspective. In fact, the gospel of Jesus Christ confounds every partisan political group, since it is far more comprehensive than any can contain. This is the corrective for those trying to conform the message of their church to their political perspectives and agendas.
Missional clarity provides a place for your church leadership to stand while also shaping expectations.
What’s your mission statement say? I hope it includes the concept of transformation… the belief that the purpose of church is to transform us ordinary humans into great reflections of Jesus Christ. When we embrace this mission, we believe we are becoming different people through participation in our churches. This immediately raises the question of how transformation happens. From here, it seems that transformation is sometimes an inspiring and fully pleasant process. Other times, becoming a different, more Christ-like person includes surrender, letting go, and refining.
So, what’s it like to be part of a church where transformation is the expectation? When we expect this, then we aren’t upset when we are challenged by our churches. When we expect to grow through church participation, we also expect our perspectives on how the world works to be challenged. When this is our expectation, we don’t throw temper tantrums when our viewpoints are questioned because of our faith.
Church leadership who believes transformation is part of the mission communicate directly with their congregations about what to expect. Please see this sample statement from church leadership below,
Our church’s mission is to partner with God’s work of transformation, forming each of us as disciples of Jesus who serve with God to transform our world. Because we live in a very polarized context, remaining faithful to our mission in the preaching and teaching ministry of our church is very challenging. We recognize that when we connect the gospel of Jesus with the world around us, this challenges our assumptions and perspectives. At the same time, we recognize this can be part of God’s work of sanctification, turning us into disciples. So, when we grow uncomfortable as our views are challenged, we invite each other to recognize this may be part of Christian formation. We support our pastors and teachers as they work to lead us in these ways, moving toward our mission. As always, we invite dialogue as another form of Christian formation for us all. Thank you for your commitment to our mission and to becoming formed in the Way of Jesus.
How might your church change when the collective leadership holds and shares this kind of message, working to align expectations with your mission?
Missional clarity draws us into God’s proactive, alternative, and actionable ongoing mission.
Ultimately, earthly powers come and go. But the mission of God to reconcile, renew, and restore this world, bringing God’s reign to earth as it is in heaven… this mission is ongoing until it’s completed. This is an excellent time for the church to be the church, leaning into its identity as the body of Christ, pursuing an alternative and life-giving mission.
When churches do not enjoy missional clarity, the significant pressures and expectations in our current situation will become driving influences. So, missional clarity keeps our priorities in order, giving us direction for playing the long game.
Honestly church leaders, without missional clarity we are left relying on lesser things (personal influence, the loudest voices, emotional contagion, etc.). May we do the work required to gain the clarity needed to join in God’s mission here on planet earth.