Disenchanting Grace: Why the Modern Church No Longer Trusts the Power of God

There’s a strange irony running through much of the modern church:We preach grace.We sing about grace.We write books on grace.But when it comes to how we lead, how we grow, and how we endure—we trust something else.

We trust human effort.

We’ve become suspicious of the very power we claim to proclaim.

Discipled by Modernism

How did this happen?

The answer is both cultural and spiritual. For the past few centuries, the Western church has been swimming in the waters of modernism—a worldview that exalts reason, technology, and human capability while subtly dismissing the unseen, the mysterious, the supernatural.

Modernism didn’t just shape science and philosophy. It discipled the church. It redefined what we call “realistic.” Slowly, without even noticing it, many of us began to build ministries that no longer need God to work. If we’re honest, most churches today could continue to function even if the Spirit of God never showed up.

We don’t expect power.We expect process.

Grace Became a Concept—Not a Force

As a result, grace has been reduced. It’s become a concept we explain, a doctrine we defend, a message we declare.

But grace is not just pardon—it is power.

"By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."—1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)

Paul didn’t just believe in grace as a theological category. He experienced it as an empowering force. A divine energy. A sustaining presence.

Do we?

Or have we replaced that dynamic reality with polished performances, clever content, and organizational structure?

We Plan Like Atheists

In many churches, leadership looks no different than it does in a Silicon Valley startup. We prize vision, charisma, scalability, and metrics of success. We budget for everything but revival. We plan like atheists and pray like skeptics.

Then we wonder why we’re exhausted.Why burnout is rampant.Why so many feel disillusioned with the church.

Could it be that we’ve tried to do God’s work without God’s power?

God Doesn’t Need Our Power

Here’s the good news:God never asked us to supply the power.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”—2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

The church isn’t sustained by strong people. It’s sustained by weak people clinging to a strong Savior.He doesn’t need our strength. He gives His.He doesn’t demand performance. He provides presence.He doesn’t build His Kingdom through the brilliance of man—but through the weakness that depends on Him.

Grace is sufficient.Not just to save.But to sustain.To strengthen.To transform.

The Church Needs Re-enchantment

What the modern church needs is not more hustle.Not more leadership hacks.Not even better strategies.

We need re-enchantment.We need to believe again in a God who acts.Who heals.Who moves.Who convicts, revives, empowers, and transforms—by grace, through faith, in the power of the Spirit.

Conclusion: Rediscovering Power

If you’re tired of ministry in your own strength—good.If you’re disillusioned by programs without presence—good.If you’re aching for more than what you can manufacture—good.

Because that ache is a gift.It’s grace reminding you that your strength was never the point.God’s power is real.His grace is sufficient.And His gospel is still the power of God for salvation—to all who believe.