A fair amount of people searching for a church in Chicago ask themselves the question: Can I find a church that stays non-political and non-woke? Let’s carefully define these terms, understanding these questions often come from an honest place of frustration and exhaustion.
There will always be unavoidable political and social issues for churches to thoughtfully address, but many Christians are tired of the constant tension and growing divisions. It seems that ideological values can invade every part of our culture—even within the church.
Instead of enduring political talking points on Sundays, many believers want to worship God, hear the word, and build community. It’s not that people don’t care about important issues, they are just worn out by personal accusations, harsh judgements, and toxic beliefs around identity.
The good news is that yes, there are churches in Chicago that manage to avoid partisan politics while effectively addressing social, political, and cultural issues. It is possible to be a biblically faithful church—yet still have a big heart for the downtrodden and those facing injustice.
Understanding what “non-political” and “non-woke” mean in a church context is important, because people use these terms differently.
What Does “Non-Political Church” Mean?
When someone says they want a non-political church, they usually mean they are looking for a church that does not function like a campaign platform. They may be tired of churches who constantly focus on culture-war issues, viral “gotcha” moments, political candidates and parties, or bending Scripture to fit the current narrative.
A non-political church typically focuses on:
- Teaching the Bible directly
- Worship and prayer
- Spiritual growth
- Evangelism and discipleship
- Serving the poor
- Building strong families and relationships
- Engaging the community
What “Non-Political Church” Doesn’t Mean…
This does not mean a church should avoid moral issues, difficult topics, or important cultural moments. Many churches will still teach about justice, sexuality, poverty, racism, marriage, abortion, immigration, forgiveness, or compassion.
The difference is they approach these issues from a biblical perspective rather than from allegiance to the prevalent social theories of our day. The difference is they are not constantly driven by the news cycle, but driven by God’s word. There may be timely sermons addressing high-profile, tragic, or volatile circumstances, but there is not a steady drip of browbeating commentary.
What Does “Non-Woke Church” Mean?
The word “woke” means different things depending on who is using it. Some still embrace the term, but many have rejected it. The most charitable meaning simply describes those alert to racial injustice. However, whether right or wrong, the most common understanding now includes a focus on progressive values, identity politics, and political correctness.
If “woke” only means “alert to racial injustice”, then every church should be woke. However, since the meaning has evolved, accepting this terminology is problematic.
For churches to be “non-woke” means they do not subscribe to progressive beliefs around sexuality, abortion, and marriage. It means they do not play the identity politics game, instead they pray for those in power, and they favor politicians with Christian ideals—no matter their ethnicity. It means they do not treat every cultural issue as a political issue. It means they do not fall into the world’s trap of policing speech. It means they reject terms like “pregnant people” and are not afraid to say “boys and girls”. It means they do not judge people through an oppressor vs oppressed lens based on group identity.
What “Non-Woke Church” Doesn’t Mean…
This does not mean churches stay blind to historical or present day injustice or racism. We must tell the hardest stories and face the ugliest parts of our culture. Communities thrive through sharing and understanding.
This does not mean we are insensitive to those who belong to persecuted groups. Although it is not true in every case, there is often a profound sense of solidarity for those who belong to historically marginalized groups. It’s important to see and understand those dynamics.
This does not mean we have nothing to learn from those who are different from us. It does not mean we abandon compassion in the name of truth. It does not mean we are hostile toward those with ideologies that are sometimes hard to square with Christianity. Instead, we must learn to love each other and be patient with each other.
Why Chicagoans Need This
Chicago is one of America’s most politically active cities. Messaging about identity, race, economics, and politics are part of everyday life. For many, this creates a deep longing to unite around something deeper than political identity. We are starved for something better.
Many today want…
- Compassion without outrage
- Community without judgment
- Preaching without ideology
- Worship without agendas
- Engagement without toxicity
- Unity without uniformity
What to Look for in a Non-Political, Non-Woke Church
At Trinity Church, here are a few things we strive for…
1. Bible-Centered Teaching
Instead of weaving in social outrage and political commentary, we teach from Scripture in appropriate ways. Consider listening to a few sermons online before visiting.
2. Reflecting Our Community
Healthy churches include people from the surrounding community. At Trinity we have different ages, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, and even political perspectives who are united around Jesus rather than ideology.
3. Focusing on Spiritual Growth
We emphasize discipleship, prayer, and serving, instead of a steady flow of politically-motivated comments.
4. Humility and Grace
We create room for everyone to grow without demanding complete agreement on every social issue.
Finding the Right Fit in Chicago
Many people searching for a “non-political, non-woke” church are really searching for a Christian community where God’s Word shapes our view of culture and politics, rather than culture and politics shaping our view of God’s Word.
If you’re looking for a church in Chicago where Jesus is at the center, Scripture is taken seriously, and people from different backgrounds can worship together, we’d love to meet you.
Come worship with us this Sunday!