Relevant??

What does it mean to be relevant? It has become the church buzzword for the past few years, and it begs defining, right? Relevance is determined by the current situation and the people involved. When one attempts to be relevant to one group, one can alienate another. For example: Trying to be relevant to the “younger” generation at church through social media, might cause the “older” generation to feel tuned out, as they have no connection to it.

So how does one, or a church for that matter, become relevant? I say we STOP trying. Relevance is all about our importance, what we can contribute or bring to the table. If Christ is sufficient, then we need only Christ, and our relevance is irrelevant…see where this is going?

Jesus was first tempted by Satan to be relevant in Mathew Chapter 4: “…Turn these stones to bread…”(v.3). Temptation was for Jesus to respond and do something. Satan was saying to Jesus “Come on, if you are who you say you are, then YOU should be able to DO something about it…”. Jesus did not respond by doing something, He responded by quoting God’s Word.

In other words, Jesus was saying and pointing to what really was relevant: God. Jesus’ mission was to proclaim God’s Word, and when He was tempted to prove His power through relevant behavior, He chose His mission, over His appearance, or need to be relevant.

Does that describe your behavior when faced with the opportunity to be, or claim, relevance? Does it describe your church? Seeing that we are the church, His Body, I would have to say both answers would sadly be the same…they were for me when I asked them.

So as we move to 2013 let’s try something different, something revolutionary – to be LESS relevant. The only way Christ and His church will become MORE relevant, is if we become less…

I say we give it a try; it’s my resolve for 2013…join me.

…just prayin’

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat