I know the title of this blog sounds kind of silly, but I guess that is my point.
I have heard lately how so many people are jumping on the bandwagon against “Relevant” churches. Many are saying that relevant churches are watering down the Gospel and are sinning by using the methods they are using to reach people for Jesus Christ.
The bottom line is that ALL churches should be Relevant! Take a look at the life of Jesus. What did he do?
From what I have read over the past 25 years of being a Christian, it is my understanding that Jesus was “always about His Father’s business”. He was usually either: Teaching people about the things of God, Showing the love of God by doing good deeds which gave Him the opportunity to point those in need to God, Praying for others, Praising and Thanking God for being who He is, Praying and Fasting for God’s will to be done, and Resting.
In all of those things He was relevant in those times…in fact, He was ahead of His time. He was delivering a message that transcends all time.
So, all churches should be relevant! One thing we say at LifePoint is that we will do whatever it takes to reach others for Jesus short of Sin. That is what we all should strive for.
I’m curious to know how much of an impact these “No Releavant Churches” People are having on the kingdom of God? What do you think?
Relevance is not so much a movement, but more like a model displayed for us by Jesus Himself.
You are always going to have a % of those involved in anything, who push the limits and cross the line from time to time. Instead of jumping on them and judging them for the things they do wrong…why can we just take that extra time and energy to be relevant to those around us and reach people for Jesus?
Be Relevant…not just because there is a movement of churches that are using this “buzz word”, but because it is the right thing to do!
God Bless,
Shan
You are right on with every word. I recently saw a comment online that said….the more relevant we become the, the less relevant Jesus becomes. It made me a bit mad. It did also show me how misunderstood some relevant churches are! People here this big “buzz” word and because it’s a newer term they feel it’s too far to the right. Some think we are unbiblical in our approach even because we are doing whatever it takes to reach the unsaved. God is smiling. He knows our hearts and has led us every step. God= Relevant!
AMEN!!!!! We look forward to more!
Hi, I’m a recent acquaintance of your wife’s on Xanga and she encouraged us to welcome you to the world of online journals so… welcome! I was just wondering where this “buzzword” for relevance came from because I’ve never heard of it before. Where can I learn more? And what gives a church the label of “relevance” as opposed to merely evangelistic?
~V
Welcome to blogland, Shan! Good start already. I’ve never met you, but I know your wify. Welcome and Godbless!!
Victoria-
There is a movement of churches in America that are calling themselves “Relevant Churches”. The majority of those churches follow a model set forth by Rick Warren, the author of “40 Days of Purpose”, from Saddleback Church in California (http://saddleback.com).
The very basic idea is that the methods they use to reach people for Christ are relevant to this generation.
Examples of being Relevant would be: Not being judgemental about accepting people who visit the church based on the clothing they wear, the way they talk, the number of tatoos they have, the kind of music they like to listen too…etc…
Also, beyond not being judgemental in those areas, the idea is to approach people in a way that would be appealing to them like: going into the community to help them by meeting their needs, and talking about subjects they are interested in hearing about in a way that opposes/competes with what the “World” offers them…for instance having a worship band with lights and special affects but delivering the truth of God’s word without compromise through the lyrics of the music, through the presentation of videos and a challenging message by the Pastor from God’s Word.
With any movement like this you have those who blaze their own trail, which is fine, but some have crossed the line on being relevant and have actually glorifed sin to get attention or followers.
On the opposite side of this debate (Relevant vs. Traditional), there is a contingent of those who may have seen an instance of someone crossing the line. Rather than praying for that particular situation they are being jugemental by going online, on radio and on tv to blast “Relevant Churches” and say what they are doing is wrong. The truth is, some may be doing it wrong…but I think the majority have their hearts and motives in the right place.
Many of them, I think, are like us (my wife and I and our friends starting LifePoint Findlay). We have grown up in church and have seen the Church slowly decline over the years. Most churches are not reaching out to the community like Jesus did. Many are inward focused and not outward focused.
Jesus told us to go into the world an preach the gospel. He had already showed us how to do it by being relevant to the world around Him. Most of the time it doesn’t work to say, “come to my church so we can preach the gospel to you!”
We have to meet people where they are and show them the love of Christ.
Ya know…be relevant!
God Bless,
Shan
Welcome to the world of blogging!
You are so right cc. the idea of being relevant…Jesus is the perfect example! Jesus approached everyone based on where they were and used parables and examples they could relate to. You don’t have to water down the Gospel to be relevant.
Ha, wow I had no idea that people made a movement out of that attitude! I know my husband and I feel that way. I’m just beginning to get to the point where I am reaching out past my church bubble. I wasn’t consciously excluding nonChristians, but I wasn’t consciously out there trying to get to know them either. So, I started a home-based direct sales business to try and meet my community where they are right now.
I guess I’m part of a movement I didn’t even know about?