Preparing Your Heart for Cultural Impact
As we approach our Equipped to Engage conference on March 29th, I’ve been reflecting deeply on what it means to engage culture from a biblical perspective. Before we can effectively engage, we need to understand what culture is and how profoundly it shapes our worldview—often without our conscious awareness.
What Is Culture and How Does It Shape Us?
Culture is like the water a fish swims in—it surrounds us so completely that we often don’t recognize its influence. It’s the collective beliefs, values, customs, and social behaviors of a particular group or society. Culture shapes everything from how we view success to how we define family to what we consider beautiful or important.
The challenging reality is that our cultural context constantly forms and informs our thinking. Even as believers committed to a biblical worldview, we can unconsciously absorb cultural values that may run counter to Scripture’s teachings.
As I’ve been preparing for our conference, I’ve become increasingly aware of how digital culture in particular has subtly shaped my own heart and habits. The constant pings, notifications, and endless scrolling have gradually eroded my capacity for the deep, attentive engagement that meaningful cultural conversations require.
A Personal Heart Check
I’ve recently recognized how my phone has drawn my heart away from deep conversation with others. The social media feeds, the quick dopamine hits from notifications, the endless stream of content—all of it has made me more distracted and less present with the actual people God has placed in my life, not to mention the subtle ways the culture of this world impacts my heart.
So, for the Lenten season, I’m removing social media and game apps from my phone. This isn’t about legalism or spiritual performance. It’s about creating space to be more intentional and engaged with the people right in front of me—to focus less on the sways of culture and more on the faces and hearts of those in my everyday life.
For me, this is a first step in preparing my heart for cultural engagement. Because I’m discovering that true engagement isn’t primarily about having all the right answers about cultural issues—it’s about being fully present, listening well, and seeing others as God sees them.
Heart Preparation: The Foundation of Meaningful Engagement
The foundation for all cultural engagement must be God’s Word. Scripture provides the unchanging truth we stand on while navigating a constantly shifting culture. Without this solid biblical foundation, our engagement will lack both direction and authority.
At the same time, Jesus shows us that knowledge alone isn’t enough. When He sent out His disciples in Matthew 10, He addressed not just what they knew, but the condition of their hearts—their motivations, their fears, their trust in Him. He knew that effective ministry flows from both truth and the right heart posture.
Scripture consistently reminds us of this dual emphasis:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV).
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).
When our hearts are aligned with biblical truth, our words and actions naturally follow in alignment with God’s purposes. This isn’t about elevating feelings over Scripture, but recognizing that God’s Word must transform both our understanding and our affections.
Four Heart Attitudes for Cultural Engagement
As we prepare for meaningful engagement with our culture, let’s focus on cultivating these four heart attitudes:
1. A Heart of Humility
Cultural engagement isn’t about winning arguments; it’s about winning hearts. And that begins with humility. Peter reminds us to share our hope “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). When we approach conversations with humility, we create space for genuine dialogue rather than defensive debate.
Heart Check: Am I more concerned with being right or with being Christ-like in my interactions?
2. A Heart of Compassion
Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the crowds, because they were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). When we see our culture through the eyes of compassion rather than criticism, we engage differently.
Think about it: people aren’t projects to be fixed; they’re image-bearers to be loved. Our engagement should flow from genuine concern for their spiritual well-being.
Heart Check: Do I see the people in my sphere of influence primarily as opponents to be convinced or as souls to be loved?
3. A Heart of Courage
Cultural engagement requires courage. Speaking truth in love isn’t always comfortable, and standing firm in biblical convictions can sometimes feel isolating. But remember Joshua’s commission: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Heart Check: What fears might be holding me back from meaningful engagement? How can I surrender these to God?
4. A Heart of Dependence
Perhaps most importantly, effective cultural engagement flows from a heart that’s continuously connected to Christ. Jesus told His disciples, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). When we depend on our own wisdom or strength, our engagement will fall flat. But when we rely on His Spirit, we find ourselves speaking words that come not from human wisdom but from God Himself.
Heart Check: Am I trying to engage in my own strength, or am I daily abiding in Christ?
Practical Heart Preparation for the Conference
As we approach our “Equipped to Engage” conference, here are some practical ways to prepare your heart:
- Consider a technology fast like I’m doing for Lent. Even a day or week of reduced screen time can create space for deeper reflection and prayer.
- Set aside daily quiet time specifically focused on surrendering your fears about cultural engagement to God.
- Identify your “why” for wanting to engage culture. Is it out of love for others? Out of obedience to Christ? Understanding your motivations helps purify your heart.
- Practice listening prayer, asking God to show you any attitudes or biases that might hinder your effectiveness.
- Find an accountability partner who will pray with you before and after the conference, helping you process what you’re learning.
- Begin practicing now by engaging in one conversation this week where you intentionally listen more than you speak.
The Most Important Preparation
In just a few weeks, we’ll gather together to learn practical tools for biblical cultural engagement. We’ll discuss strategies, study Scripture, and sharpen our understanding. But remember: the most important preparation won’t happen in the chapel at Camp Pinehill—it’s happening right now, in the quiet moments between you and God.
As you prepare your heart, trust that He is faithful to equip you for every good work He’s called you to do. After all, effective cultural engagement isn’t ultimately about having all the right answers—it’s about pointing to the One who is the Answer.
Will you be joining us at the “Equipped to Engage” conference on March 29th? You can click below to register.