The Church in an Age of Crisis: 25 New Realities Facing Christianity

Knowing the signs of the times, and how then to live as people of faith, has never been more pressing for the church. Though many of the signs are disturbing, we ignore them at our great peril. Combining the very best attributes of a biblical prophet and a modern-day reporter, James Emery White offers a look at twenty-five realities facing the church--in the areas of belief, culture, marriage and family, media and technology, and mission--and how they affect us as individuals and as a body of believers.

Functioning as both a telescope and a microscope, this hard-hitting examination of the future of the church looks into the vastness of the world and into the minute recesses of our hearts. White calls on thoughtful readers to sharpen their spiritual drive and determination in order to meet the challenges of our day--and the future. He calls us to look beyond the daily conflicts in order to see the much larger war in which we are engaged, so that we might play our vital role in preserving and growing Christ's church in the coming age.

From the Back Cover

It's time for a reality check.

Though many of the signs of the times are disturbing to those of us in the church, we ignore them at our great peril. Changes in belief, culture, marriage and family, media and technology, and mission affect us not only as individuals but also as a body of believers.

Functioning as both a telescope and a microscope, this hard-hitting examination of the future of the church looks into the vastness of the world and into the minute recesses of our hearts. James Emery White calls on us to sharpen our spiritual drive and determination in order to meet the challenges of our day--and the future. He calls us to look beyond the daily conflicts in order to see the much larger battle in which we are engaged, so that we might play our vital role in preserving and growing Christ's church in the coming age.


"Hard-hitting as well as carefully researched. It is also extremely relevant for our day. In twenty-five concise chapters, White scans the landscape of the postmodern world we now live in. This book will serve the church well."--Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"The Church in an Age of Crisis is more than a survey of the cultural landscape of contemporary America. It is a call to bring Christian values to bear in the marketplace of ideas. With prophetic insight, James Emery White directs the church to be true to its calling--to be salt and light in a dying world."--Alec Hill, president, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA

"This book is a wake-up call for those who really care about America and how lost so many are today. The Church in an Age of Crisis provides positive answers on how the grace of God in Christ can break through even the stoniest of hearts."--Jerry Newcombe, Truth in Action Ministries

"This book is essential for those who desire to bring the truth, love, and light of Christ to our challenging present age."--Glenn T. Stanton, director, Global Family Formation Studies and Ministry Strategy Development, Focus on the Family


James Emery White, PhD, is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, often cited as one of the fastest-growing church starts in the United States. Former president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, White is the author of several books, including Rethinking the Church and What They Didn't Teach You in Seminary.