Amidst rising nationalism, churches face the challenge of guiding their congregations in a world where faith and politics frequently intersect. This was the central theme discussed by a panel of Christian leaders during the Church Resources Exhibition 2026.
Moderated by Andy Flannagan, executive director of Christians in Politics, the panel included Dr Lisa Pal from the Church of England Diocese of London, Dr Jonathan Chaplin of Wesley House, Cambridge, and Dr Nick Spencer from the Theos think tank.
Dr Spencer pointed out the necessity of distinguishing between “Christian nationalism” and genuine Christian political involvement. “It’s worth saying that [Christian nationalism] does not mean being a Christian and having a sense of loyalty to your nation,” he explained.
Dr Chaplin highlighted that not all forms of nationalism are harmful, citing civic nationalism in Scotland as an example, yet he expressed concern over how easily nationalism could become problematic.
New research by Theos indicates a complex relationship between national identity and church attendance. Among those termed “identity integrationists”—who view Christianity as central to British identity—81% identified as Christian, but only 13% attended church weekly.
Interestingly, the study revealed that nationalist perspectives are not solely external to church congregations. The “belief integrationists” group, who aim to promote Christianity, were more likely to attend church and support asylum seekers, yet some also endorsed strongman leadership and political violence.
Spencer emphasized that the Christian faith should impact daily life, stating, “I want people to call themselves Christian. I want them to come to church and believe Jesus is the Son of God, but I want that to filter through to how we live.”
Dr Pal stressed that Christian nationalism is more than just political views, urging Christians to critically evaluate how their beliefs shape their identity. “It is an ideology that is formational. And for us as Christians, we have to be really careful about what it is forming us into,” she noted.
Concerns were raised about the growing influence of online figures over churchgoers, potentially more than their local clergy. Flannagan shared anecdotes of church divisions leading members to leave, a phenomenon less common in the past.
Dr Pal advocated for personal connections and tough discussions within the church community, asserting, “We cannot outsource discipleship to somebody else.” She also highlighted the need for Christians to support those feeling neglected by society.
Spencer identified loneliness and the erosion of local ties as factors that can make individuals more susceptible to extreme nationalist ideologies. He underscored the importance of fostering community relationships, particularly as AI becomes more prevalent.
Dr Chaplin proposed that churches should offer a “non-nationalistic, biblical patriotism” and encourage believers to reflect on the biblical principles that guide their public actions. He posed the question, “What is the Christianity that we want to defend?”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
