I am not against a pure idea of relevance, only the way it is acted out in our world. Let me give you an example. The Relevant Magazine website has this statement under its "What We Believe" page:
RELEVANT is a multimedia company looking to impact culture with the message that even though religion may be seen as irrelevant, a personal relationship with God is a relevant -- and vital -- aspect of a fulfilled life.
Within this statement is a wonderful phrase; "a personal relationship with God is a relevant--and vital--aspect of a fulfilled life." That is true relevance at its core. As Christians we should seek to show that God cares for people. We should seek to tell the world that we are still sinful, and therefore, a Savior is still relevant. We should show the world God's love by being meeting their needs. A good definition of relevant is "connected to the matter at hand." Therefore, from my perspective, it would seem that being relevant would mean to be intimately involved (connected) with the things that people most desperately need. I think that is what Paul means when he says in 1 Corinthians 9:21-23:
21
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.However, this is not what the idea of relevant tends to mean in our churches. Relevance in our churches and in our lives is defined more like this: Understanding and imitating the culture we are within in order to popularize Christianity.
That is essentially all we are doing. Look at the mission statement from Relevant Mag. again, it is a "multimedia group." This shows that what they are about: media. Take a good look at their website and you'll see that the focus is often more on the media than on Christ. Today alone they have a vote on who should be named best actress at the Oscars. How is the answer to that question going to help show Christ's relevance? Browse through their website some more, and you will see even more things that are disturbing. For example, one article praised a group for contextualizing their faith by passing out socks and cigarettes to youth (http://www.relevantmagazine.com/pc_article.php?id=7330). The reason for this disturbing me? These are Christians passing out a harmful substance that is illegal to youth to show that they care! How crazy! Somewhere along the line we have lost the point.Somehow we have come to the conclusion that becoming part of a culture will make people see Christ as cool; as worthwhile. Look at churches throughout the US to see the truth of this statement. We are seeing waves of projectors, sound systems, video equipment, comfy chairs, and coffee shops coming into churches to show the world that Christ loves them. Huh? I think that if we search for the truth it would be that we have become more zealous for the things this world offers than the things which God offers.
I am not saying that these things are bad things. Is there anything sinful about a sound system that can pump out a wonderful sound for thousands of people? No. However, when there are people around us who are poor, who are hungry, who are homeless, who can't afford coats for wintertime or shoes that fit, and we have decided that the best way to show them the love of Christ is to imitate a rock concert, then we have missed the point!
It goes beyond our churches and into our personal lives as well. We watch movies with inappropriate behavior so we can "understand the culture." We spend $80 for a pair of designer jeans so we can relate to the younger generation. We are worshiping idols, and claiming it is for Christ.
Remember, as I close this post, that the early church was not buying but "selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need" (Acts 2:45 NASB). They were a community of true caring to show the relevance to the world. Jesus did not say that we needed hip equipment to reach the masses, he said, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21 NASB).
2 comments:
well well well..my big brother switched to blogger..good boy..I'm glad you went away from the whole zanga thing. I tried that once as well.
Very well written post. That's all I"ve got as of right now because I'm busy and I havn't had time to even update my blog. But once I get unbusy i'll add your blog to my links page so you can get more people in your network.
later brother
N. Shedd
Agreed, but…
I hate how there is such stigma around certain words the church likes to play semantics with, and relevance is one of them. Paul is clear that he did become all things to all people… even to the point that he became as one without the law, to reach those without the law. He made himself relevant.
I think the problem is not the Church’s search for relevance, but for status. The projectors, sound systems, extra buildings, and so forth… are more about status than relevance. The outrageously expensive clothing and high-end cell-phones is more about status, than relevance.
That being said relevance is key, in that if I dressed as an Amish man, and went to the high school for lunch, I would not be relevant, and the message I would bring would be lost… I need relevant attire as to not distract from my message. Media is critical to reaching a society which is based almost entirely around media… …but the message cannot and must not stop with media, it must only be a stepping stone to something deeper.
If churches moved past the quest for status, then less money would be wasted on stuff, and more money would be invested in souls, and true relevance. More aid would be available for those in need. And perhaps we would be one step closer to church as Christ intended it.
I think scripture calls us to be relevant… very relevant. It also calls us very clearly to not be caught up in the quest for earthly status!
[Quietly steps down from soapbox]
-Russ
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