Faith Facts

• The biblical concept of shalom encompasses far more than personal peace—it includes the flourishing of communities, cultures, and creation itself
• God’s mission for believers extends beyond traditional church activities to include every sphere of work and cultural influence
• The exile of Israel provides a powerful model for how Christians should engage with secular society while maintaining their faith identity

For too long, American Christians have confined their understanding of God’s calling to a narrow set of activities: church programs, evangelism efforts, small group Bible studies, and altar calls. While these spiritual disciplines remain essential to Christian formation, they represent only a fraction of the biblical vision for how believers are called to partner with God in the world.

The truth is, Scripture presents a vision of vocation and mission that encompasses every dimension of human life and society.

This fuller vision centers on the Hebrew concept of shalom—a word often translated simply as “peace” but which carries far deeper meaning. Shalom describes the flourishing of all creation under God’s design: right relationships between people and God, among individuals and communities, and between humanity and the created world. It represents wholeness, justice, beauty, abundance, and harmony across every dimension of existence.

When God calls His people to be salt and light, He isn’t limiting that influence to Sunday morning services or evangelistic crusades. He’s commissioning believers to bring His kingdom values into education, business, healthcare, the arts, government, science, agriculture, technology, and every other domain of human endeavor.

The exile of Israel provides a compelling biblical example of this comprehensive approach to faithful living. When the Babylonians conquered Judah and carried God’s people into captivity, it would have been natural for the Israelites to withdraw, to create isolated religious communities, to simply wait for rescue while avoiding contamination from pagan culture.

Instead, God gave them radically different instructions through the prophet Jeremiah. He told them to build houses and settle down, to plant gardens and eat their produce, to marry and have children, to seek the prosperity and welfare of the city where they had been exiled. This wasn’t surrender or compromise—it was faithful engagement motivated by love for neighbors and confidence in God’s sovereignty.

The exiles were called to maintain their distinct identity as God’s covenant people while simultaneously contributing to the common good of a society that didn’t share their faith. They were to pray for Babylon, to work for its flourishing, to be exemplary citizens and neighbors—all while refusing to worship false gods or abandon their core convictions.

This exile paradigm offers a powerful framework for Christians in contemporary America. Like the Israelites in Babylon, believers today live in an increasingly secular culture that often rejects biblical values. The temptation exists either to withdraw into Christian subcultures or to assimilate completely, losing distinctive witness.

The biblical alternative is robust engagement: Christians excelling in their professions, creating beauty through artistic gifts, developing innovations that serve human needs, establishing just business practices, advocating for vulnerable populations, stewarding natural resources wisely, and strengthening the institutions that hold communities together. All of this constitutes kingdom work—partnering with God to manifest shalom in every direction.

When a Christian teacher brings patience, creativity, and genuine care to students, that’s kingdom work. When a believing entrepreneur builds a company culture of integrity and invests profits in community development, that’s kingdom work. When a faithful nurse treats each patient with dignity reflecting the image of God, that’s kingdom work. When a Christian artist creates work that reveals truth, beauty, and goodness, that’s kingdom work.

This comprehensive vision doesn’t diminish the importance of evangelism or church life—it situates them within God’s larger purposes for His creation. Personal salvation matters eternally because God loves each individual. Corporate worship forms and sustains the community of faith. But redeemed individuals and gathered churches exist not as ends in themselves, but as God’s instruments for advancing His kingdom and demonstrating His character across all of life.

American Christianity needs this fuller perspective now more than ever. Cultural challenges require not retreat but faithful presence. Political divisions call not for tribalism but for principled engagement grounded in love for God and neighbor. Economic injustices demand not merely charity but structural wisdom. Environmental degradation requires not indifference but responsible stewardship rooted in our identity as image-bearers of the Creator.

The shalom vision empowers Christians to bring their faith to bear on these complex challenges without reducing them to simplistic spiritual formulas. It affirms that God cares about education policy and medical ethics, about artistic expression and scientific discovery, about criminal justice and agricultural practices. It recognizes that while all human efforts remain tainted by sin until Christ returns, God still calls His people to pursue goodness, truth, and beauty in every sphere of life.

This perspective also guards against the opposite error: assuming that political activism, social programs, or cultural influence constitute the entirety of Christian mission. The shalom vision is comprehensive precisely because it refuses to separate spiritual and material concerns, individual transformation and social renewal, evangelism and justice, worship and work.

Just as the Israelites in exile maintained their prayer life, observed the Sabbath, taught their children God’s law, and looked forward to redemption while also contributing to Babylonian society, contemporary Christians must sustain vibrant spiritual practices while fully engaging their callings in the world. The vertical relationship with God fuels and directs the horizontal engagement with culture.

Recovering this biblical vision requires intentionality. Churches must equip members not only for ministry within the congregation but for faithful presence in their workplaces and communities. Christian education should prepare students to think Christianly about every academic discipline and professional field. Believers need theological frameworks that connect Sunday worship with Monday’s work, that see all legitimate vocations as potential arenas for glorifying God and serving neighbors.

The exile example reveals that God’s people can thrive and contribute even in contexts that don’t acknowledge Him as Lord. It demonstrates that faithfulness doesn’t require controlling political power or cultural dominance, but rather excellence, integrity, compassion, and wisdom wherever God has placed us. It shows that seeking shalom in every direction—working for the flourishing of our cities, institutions, and neighbors—is itself an act of worship and obedience.

For Christians concerned about the direction of American culture, this vision offers hope grounded not in political strategies or culture war victories, but in the ordinary faithfulness of believers living out kingdom values in countless contexts. It’s the cumulative impact of millions of Christians doing their work with excellence, treating people with dignity, speaking truth with grace, creating beauty that points beyond itself, and building institutions and relationships that reflect God’s justice and love.

This is the partnership with God that Scripture envisions: not a narrow religious sphere separated from “real life,” but the transformation of all of life under Christ’s lordship. It’s a vision big enough to encompass the diversity of gifts, callings, and contexts among God’s people. And it’s a vision desperately needed in our time.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• The Coventry Hills Church of Christ and Chesmont Church of Christ merged to become Cornerstone Church of Christ in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, after decades of separation following an early 1990s split.
• Coventry Hills had a building but only 30 members, while Chesmont had 110 attendees, elders, and a full-time minister—creating complementary strengths for a unified congregation.
• Members describe the merger as “God’s timing,” emphasizing healing, humility, and a shared commitment to scriptural unity and evangelism in their community.

A match made in heaven. In God’s timing.

That’s how members and leaders alike characterize the merger of the Coventry Hills Church of Christ and the Chesmont Church of Christ. After decades apart, the congregations—halfway between the high-rises of Philadelphia and the horse-drawn buggies of Amish country—have joined together to become the Cornerstone Church of Christ.

“It feels like the work of the Lord,” said Christine Ober, 36, wife of Caleb and mother of 8-month-old Mabel May.

The Obers were among the few young families at Coventry Hills, which averaged Sunday attendance of roughly 30. Chesmont, which met at a Christian school 6.5 miles away, drew about 110 men, women and children on a typical Lord’s Day.

“The members that were here at Coventry Hills were willing to come under the leadership at Chesmont,” said Josh Dove, who was one of three elders at Chesmont and now serves in that role for Cornerstone.

“It just seemed like it was God leading us that way.”

The pieces fit. Coventry Hills had a church building.

Chesmont had a full-time preacher and elders. Both congregations had members eager to serve the Lord and reach the lost.

Together, members and leaders believe, the new intergenerational body offers a brighter future.

“When God’s people do God’s things in God’s ways, we let all the extra stuff go, and we can dwell in unity,” said minister Thomas Wise, pointing to the apostle Paul’s admonition in Philippians 2:3-4 to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility value others above yourselves.

‘Wounds Were Deep’

In the case of Coventry Hills and Chesmont, “all the extra stuff” included trauma, hurt feelings and lingering concerns about past differences that caused a church split in the early 1990s.

Elder Rick Elam came to the Chesmont church with his wife, Kathy, in 1996 after the split occurred, so he has no firsthand knowledge of what transpired. “But I know that those wounds were deep and painful for those involved,” Elam said.

“This has been a big healing process,” he said of the merger, which became official earlier this year.

“People have joy here.”

Over the years, the frosty relationship between the congregations in Pottstown—a town of 23,000 about 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia—had thawed. Chesmont had used the Coventry Hills baptistery from time to time since the school didn’t have one.

Members of both congregations had enjoyed hymn singings together.

“Coventry Hills was dying. That was true,” Wise said.

“At Chesmont, we had just grown stagnant in the environment we were in. The elders recognized it, and for (the merger) to work, each group of people needed to see who they are and where they’re at clearly,” the minister added.

“And I believe that starts with God’s authority … and will we choose to put others above ourself?”

Coventry Hills members had a knack for greeting visitors and making them feel welcome, Wise said. Chesmont members were known for engaging and teaching young people and for their volunteer spirit, he said.

That spirit has come in handy as the merged body works to refurbish the church building, which was constructed in 1973 and could use a few improvements, such as new carpeting. In becoming one, the previously separate congregations have brought those talents together.

‘God’s Timing’

Talk of the possible merger began organically—as Wise remembers it—with Chesmont elder Jeff Custer, who was preaching at Coventry Hills once a month.

“Jeff made some kind of comment in a sermon about not knowing why the churches weren’t together,” Wise said.

“And then one of the younger Coventry Hills members was inspired by it and made up a survey about merging and got the ball rolling.”

The merger possibility had prompted conversation in the past, but this time the idea gained traction.

“It definitely seems like God’s timing is always the right timing,” Wise said.

Emmitt Channell, 90, has preached for more than 70 years. Channell said he and other Coventry Hills members welcomed the latest overture.

“We were down to about 20 or 25 members at that point,” he said.

“We had a lot of deaths, and a lot of people moved back to the South, so we were very glad to have new life. So it’s been really great.”

Wise, 34, recalls that he was 12 years old when he was baptized—by Channell.

“It’s crazy how the circle goes,” said Wise, who later moved away from Pennsylvania before returning five years ago to serve as Chesmont’s preacher.

“It’s great to see old faces, like Emmitt, whom I’ve known my whole life.”

Channell emphasized that brothers and sisters in Christ “need to be working together and healing all kinds of personal problems that we’ve had.

“Christ is our focus, and that’s where we should put our efforts in working together for the Lord,” added the retired minister, whose late wife, Betty, once served as the secretary for Olan Hicks, who founded The Christian Chronicle in 1943.

‘Don’t Hold Grudges’

Nancy McGrady, who attended Coventry Hills in past decades, said she left the church for “a very long time” because she didn’t feel like she belonged. But the merger inspired her to return to worship.

“When Cornerstone came together, it was amazing for me,” said McGrady, 52.

“I just love being here. … It’s everything that I’ve ever dreamed for a church family to be.”

Ken Anderson, 71, was a part of the Coventry Hills congregation before the merger.

“I was always taught that you don’t hold grudges,” Anderson said.

“You just prayed that things will change. And I know it took a lot of years, but we prayed about it, and we’re all together as a family.”

A Building to Call Their Own

Coventry Hills served as the original home for Coventry Christian Schools, which has roots dating back to 1984 and has grown to more than 630 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. By 1993, Coventry Christian moved to a new location, and the Chesmont church began meeting in a school auditorium.

Matt Richard—now a deacon at Cornerstone after serving in that role at Chesmont—attended Coventry Hills in the early 2000s.

“The funny thing was that originally, the church here would talk about that church being progressive over there,” Richard said.

But then Richard visited Chesmont when Coventry Hills canceled services during an ice storm. “We wound up going over there, and we were like, ‘There’s nothing crazy going on,'” he said.

“So then one of the ladies invited my wife, Meredith, to a Bible study, and we started visiting with Chesmont. And then we just decided to change churches.”

Now the deacon and his family—including two young children—are back worshiping in the Coventry Hills building.

“We were definitely excited about having our own space,” said Richard, who is also the facilities supervisor at nearby Camp Manatawany, which is associated with Churches of Christ. “It’s always hard when you’re a tenant in a building—we were renting from the Christian school—because nothing’s your own as a congregation,” Richard added.

“You always had to worry about what the kids were doing after church.”

Another deacon, Daniel Niehls, echoed Richard.

“If you’re a tenant anywhere, if you’re renting, you’re kind of limited with what you can do,” Niehls said.

“So it’s just nice, and it feels more like a church, when you have your own building. So that’s really been a benefit and blessing.

“Unfortunately, not all of my family decided to come join us here, so that’s been a little bit of a challenge at times,” he added.

“But we’re very happy here. We’re excited to be here.”

‘A Pleasant View’

About one-third of the previous Chesmont congregation did not make the move to Coventry Hills. Those members, including Mark Niehls, Daniel’s uncle and a founder of Coventry Christian Schools, formed the new Pleasantview Church of Christ, which meets at the school.

“Those of us that are still meeting on the school’s campus have felt that our initial vision and mission for the church to reach out and evangelize in our community is still very valid and needed,” said Mark Niehls, the school’s president emeritus.

Coventry Christian draws students from about 70 churches in and around Pottstown, he said. Only a handful of those congregations are Churches of Christ.

“The Pleasantview Church of Christ that’s meeting on the school’s campus sees that as an opportunity to reach those people who are maybe not really churched,” Mark Niehls said.

“They may be on an attendance or membership role somewhere, but they don’t regularly attend, or they’re dissatisfied with where they’re at.”

Mark Niehls declined to discuss the merger of Coventry Hills and Chesmont. “We’re still meeting on the school’s campus on Pleasantview Road,” he said, “and we’ve kind of adopted the motto that we’re going to have a pleasant view.”

Elam, one of Cornerstone’s three elders, said he doesn’t believe any hard feelings exist between Cornerstone and Pleasantview.

“Maybe at the outset, but those seem to have calmed down,” Elam said.

“We all feel like we’re wishing them well and godspeed, and they’re doing the same for us. We’re praying for each other.”

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Faith Facts

• The UK government has pledged £92 million through a new Places of Worship Renewal Fund to help maintain church buildings and keep them accessible to communities
• Many churches across Britain are struggling with the financial burden of building maintenance while simultaneously serving as vital community service hubs
• Baroness Twycross emphasizes that this funding aims to preserve houses of worship while ensuring they remain open and active in serving their communities

Churches throughout the United Kingdom are facing a mounting crisis as the costs of maintaining historic buildings threaten their ability to serve their communities. The government has stepped in with a comprehensive solution designed to preserve these sacred spaces for future generations.

Baroness Twycross has announced a £92 million Places of Worship Renewal Fund aimed at keeping church roofs watertight and doors open to the public. The initiative recognizes the dual role these buildings play as both houses of worship and community service centers.

“Across the country, churches of all shapes and sizes are providing vital community services,” Baroness Twycross explained. “But for many, the financial burden of maintaining their buildings is creating a crisis.”

The funding addresses a critical need in communities where churches serve far beyond Sunday services. These sacred spaces often host food banks, youth programs, senior activities, and other essential community functions that support families and strengthen neighborhoods.

Many congregations have struggled to balance their mission of service with the escalating costs of structural repairs, heating, and general upkeep of buildings that are often centuries old. The maintenance requirements for historic church architecture can be particularly demanding, requiring specialized expertise and materials.

The Places of Worship Renewal Fund represents a recognition by government officials that preserving religious heritage serves the broader public interest. These buildings stand as testaments to faith and community resilience across generations.

Church leaders have welcomed the initiative as a lifeline for congregations that have been forced to choose between critical repairs and ministry programs. The funding is expected to help preserve not just the physical structures but the vital community services they enable.

The program aims to ensure that churches can continue their mission without the constant threat of closure due to building deterioration. By addressing maintenance needs, the fund allows congregations to focus on their primary calling of spiritual and community service.

This investment in places of worship reflects an understanding that these institutions form the backbone of many communities, providing stability, support, and moral guidance. The preservation of church buildings safeguards spaces where faith, tradition, and community service intersect.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.