In a recent interview The Gospel Coalition co-founder Tim Keller was asked about pastors leaving ministry as a result of conflict over face coverings, politics, and racial injustice. Has he ever seen anything like that before in ministry?

No, Keller responded. And it’s a crisis for pastors:

In virtually every church there is a smaller or larger body of Christians who have been radicalized to the Left or to the Right by extremely effective and completely immersive internet and social media loops, newsfeeds, and communities. People are bombarded 12 hours a day with pieces that present a particular political point of view, and the main way it seeks to persuade is not through argument but through outrage. People are being formed by this immersive form of public discourse—far more than they are being formed by the church.

So how can ministry leaders respond? Primarily through prayer, which Keller admits he should have done more in ministry. And by heeding the wisdom of Proverbs, to listen first and to keep our words honest, few, and normally calm.

The ministry crisis may be new. But the antidote never changes. Hope will win.