February 2026 Editorial
Theology, Mission, and Culture in North America
Nobody ever promised that missions and ministry would be easy. But so much has changed in the last twenty-five years of serving as a congregational minister that what I was prepared for and the reality I serve within are very different
When I was in seminary at what is now Harding School of Theology, there was an awareness that North America was undergoing a paradigm shift not seen since the seventeenth century. That shift ushered in the Age of Enlightenment, which brought about the scientific revolution and modernism. By the end of the twentieth century, there was an awareness that our society was becoming postmodern and post-Enlightenment.
What this shift meant for Christian mission and the church wasn’t clear. Christendom was quickly disappearing in the rear-view mirror. The road ahead was paved with some new isms: pluralism, relativism, and secularism. Not surprisingly, many of the best-selling Christian books tapped into the fear this shift was generating, taking defensive postures that seemed oblivious to the Enlightenment foundations of their arguments.
With time, it became apparent that how we lead as Christian leaders had to change. How we led in the past worked for a society that was, but new ways of leading will be required to navigate the roads ahead. This is why Tod Bolsinger wrote his book Canoeing the Mountains, published back in 2015. Using the story of Lewis and Clark, the two explorers knew how to navigate the terrain east of the Mississippi River, but they were unprepared for the mountains west of it. Navigating west of the Mighty Mississippi required adaptation.
When it comes to missions and ministry in North America, we’ve crossed the Mississippi River headed west. Now we have to look for new ways of navigating the path ahead as we seek to faithfully live on mission with God as followers of Jesus. Among other things, navigating what lies before us requires ongoing reflection so that we can step forward in a faithful yet contextual manner for our local communities.
To that end, this SubStack, Reimagining Church, hosted by Mission Alive, seeks to be a forum for engaging the intersection of theology, missions, and culture. What we are working towards is a monthly rhythm of four different publications:
Editorial, a reflection written by Mission Alive staff.
Feature Post, an article written by different contributors.
From the Edge of Mission, Updates by Mission Alive planters about their work.
A Book Worth Reading, a book review by different contributors.
This is a work in progress, so bear with us. If you are interested in writing or would like to recommend a writer, please email me: rex@missionalive.org. There are basic writing guidelines that all contributors must follow; however, suggestions are welcome. Please understand that Mission Alive does not offer any financial compensation for writing and publishing on the Reimagining Church SubStack hosted by Mission Alive.
While Mission Alive accepts money pledges through this SubStack and appreciates those who contribute, viewers will continue to have free access to all publications on this SubStack.
Thank you for reading and serving King Jesus as you do!
K. Rex Butts, D.Min, serves as the lead minister with the Southside Church of Christ in Milwaukee, WI, and is the author of Gospel Portraits: Reading Scripture as Participants in the Mission of God. Rex holds a Doctor of Ministry in Contextual Theology from Northern Seminary in Lisle, IL, and a Master of Divinity from Harding School of Theology in Memphis, TN. He is married to Laura, and they have three children together.