"Relevance is a buzzword among churches today. We believe that it is a good one. And there is nothing more relevant to a lost world than the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The unchanging truths of Scripture will always contain the answer for those searching to fill the void of their lives. The church, however, must find ways to relay this gospel message to the culture around them. The church in a farming community in Indiana should relate differently from the church in a suburb of Vancouver, which should relate differently from the church in the heart of New York City. Churches that do not find ways to become relevant in their respective communities will eventually falter. Churches that keep their internal culture unchanged for fifty years while the world around them goes through continual periods of metamorphosis typically die with that old culture. Churches that ask the question, "How can we best relate the unchanging gospel to the shifting culture around us?" are one step closer to relevancy and reaching a new generation."
Thom and Sam Rainer, The Essential Church? 18-19.
Even as I mention this "sin of a dying church" I know people won't like it. I can hear their cynical voices stating that the problem in the church today is its quest for relevancy.
I can even agree with this objection in some ways. I have ran into far too many pastors and individuals who believe we must change the message of the gospel to attract new people. These folks ignore various parts of the Bible that they believe don't fit modern culture and sensibilities.
I believe folks that want to change the gospel always do more harm that good.
We can't change the message of the gospel. The gospel critiques all cultures and every individual. It calls us to repentance and faith in something outside ourselves. Both of these run counter to the impulses of our flesh. The gospel also critiques our world system. The world system is the collection of our fleshly tendencies. It always runs counter to the gospel by running toward self-deception and self-sufficiency.
The gospel is the answer. It can't be changed or we lose our entire purpose.
The question is how do we communicate this answer to those who need it? I am aware that how we communicate can change our message. So, without compromising our message, how can we communicate so people hear the reality of their need to trust Jesus?
To allow this question to critique and then shape our ministry is the very heart of having a relevant ministry. To go a step further, to not allow this question to critique and then shape our ministry is actually sin.
God graciously allows such sinful churches to die out.
He also raises up new churches to reach the lost.
Wow, I could not agree more with you. I wish more would be conscious about this. Thanks.
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