Leading in a Time of Chaos: How Congregations Can Shape the Future

Rev. Cameron Trimble

We are living in a moment of profound political disruption, social unrest, and deep uncertainty about the future. Across the country, congregations are grappling with what it means to lead in this time of chaos and collapse. Many are asking: What is our role right now? How do we show up for our communities in ways that matter?

The good news is that there isn’t just one answer. Congregations are already responding in creative and courageous ways, stepping into the moment with justice, compassion, resilience, and imagination. In this time of turmoil, faith communities are not just passive observers—they are firewalls against injustice, anchors of connection, and incubators of hope.

At Convergence, we’ve identified four key pathways congregations are taking to meet the challenges of this era. Each offers a different approach, and some congregations may find themselves weaving elements of multiple pathways together. What matters most is that we move with intentionality and courage as we discern our role in shaping the future.

1. The Activist Congregation: Standing for Justice

Some congregations feel called to take an outspoken, public stance for justice. These communities are advocating for democracy, protecting vulnerable populations, and actively resisting policies that threaten human rights. They understand that faith and activism are deeply intertwined, and that working for justice is a sacred calling.

Activist congregations might:

• Advocate for marginalized communities, including immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and those facing economic hardship.
• Defend democracy by mobilizing around voting rights and civic engagement.
• Challenge authoritarianism by standing against policies that erode human dignity and democratic values.

This pathway is not always easy, but it is necessary. It calls for boldness and prophetic courage—the willingness to speak truth in a time of rising injustice.

2. The Safe Space Congregation: Offering Refuge and Healing

For some, the most urgent need is to create places of refuge—sanctuaries of care, safety, and belonging. As people navigate rising hostility, fear, and division, congregations can be places where the vulnerable are sheltered, the hurting are tended to, and love is made tangible.

Safe Space congregations might:

• Create trauma-informed, affirming environments where all feel welcome, particularly those marginalized by society.
• Offer direct support services like mental health care, housing assistance, and legal aid.
• Form sanctuary networks that provide protection and advocacy for immigrants and others at risk.

In a world that feels increasingly hostile, these congregations embody the radical hospitality and love that faith calls us to live out.

3. The Connector Congregation: Weaving a Stronger Social Fabric

Many congregations are stepping into the role of community bridge-builders, recognizing that deep divisions and broken relationships are among the greatest threats we face. These congregations focus on connection, mutual aid, and creating networks of trust that help communities weather the storms of disruption.

Connector congregations might:

• Foster community relationships through partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and neighborhood groups.
• Create mutual aid networks where members share resources, skills, and support in times of need.
• Engage in local initiatives around food security, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability.

These congregations are healing what has been fractured, ensuring that people are not isolated in a time of growing uncertainty.

4. The Positive, Alternative Futures Congregation: Cultivating Hope and Imagination

While many are focused on immediate crises, some congregations feel called to look beyond the present moment and dream boldly about the future. These communities are centers of storytelling, imagination, and vision—creating alternatives to the dominant narratives of fear and scarcity.

Alternative Futures congregations might:

• Create spaces for storytelling and deep visioning, where people can explore what a just, loving world could look like.
• Celebrate and teach alternative values like nonviolence, simplicity, and ecological responsibility.
• Empower artists, elders, and culture-makers to inspire and illuminate new ways of living.

In times of despair, these congregations remind us of what is possible. They teach us that hope is not passive—it is a discipline, a practice, a radical act of faith.

Where Does Your Congregation Belong?

No congregation can do everything. But every congregation can do something. The question is: What is yours called to do?

Some communities will focus on direct activism. Others will prioritize healing. Some will bridge divides, while others will offer a long-term vision for what is possible. All are needed.

At Convergence, we have developed a framework to help congregations discern their path forward—a tool to clarify how your community’s unique gifts, values, and resources can be used for the greatest impact. 

This moment demands boldness, creativity, and courage. As faith communities, we must be clear about our role in shaping what comes next. We cannot sit on the sidelines. We are called to be the hands and feet of justice, compassion, and radical love.

No matter the pathway you choose, the invitation is the same: Step forward. Act with intention. Lead with faith. The future is being written now—and our congregations have a role in shaping it.