It’s not about chasing the latest new thing. It’s about interpreting what that new thing means to your community or church.
Trends are indicators that point to what’s going on in people’s hearts and minds. It’s important to observe them, but far more so to translate that trend information into ideas that build trust and increase our impact. The Apostle Paul did just that on Mars Hill (Acts 17) by learning about their unknown gods and quoting their poets. As a result, he led many Greeks to Christ.
But we can focus too much on trends and miss those things that are always in style. The French philosopher Simone Weil said, “To be always relevant you have to say things that are eternal.” Ultimate relevance is about the things that last – eternal truths with a capital T.
As Phil Cooke says in his book Branding Faith:
“To be truly relevant, we must stop trying so hard to be relevant.”
Another one of those “both/and” issues it seems.
Do we at time confuse the terms relevant with contextual? If real relevance is eternal, and I agree with that, then how is the eternal relevance presented or lived out in a contextual manner that can have the greatest impact to those not following Christ? Is it enough just to be relevant (in eternal perspectives) and not do it in a way that impacts lives in the current culture?
Food for thought
jaret and i were just talking about this. we were in a christian bookstore, which we aren’t often, and were just struck with how it seems that chrisitan culture is trying so hard to be ‘cool’. we were talking about how it’s well meaning, but it can end up missing the point, being cheesy, etc. yet, the other side of the coin is often a lack of working to relate to the culture around us at all.
paul seems to be a great example on this point. he even took their ‘unknown god’ and introduced the real God. it’s clear he wasn’t trapped in presenting things in just his certain way or staying as far away as he could. it seemed he was informed and involved. maybe the challenge is to observe, and then engage, instead of trying to ‘BE’ relevant.?
Sharlin,
I like the observe and then engage thought. It’s interesting that Paul when to the synagog first after entering Athens. He then went and hung out at the market place with the common people. He observed and then engaged them just as you suggested.
Because of his effort to engage the people in real, honest, soul conversations, the rulers in Athens heard about him and asked to see him.
The rulers asked for an audience with Paul!
What a contrast to the interest the community seems to have in us Christians today.
Love your thoughts,
Ed
Tim,
Great point regarding relevant versus contextual.
I agree it takes both. However, to live out our Christian witness in a contextual manner takes a lot of observation and effort. It takes change with involves risk as well.
I sense many may not want to put that kind of effort into it.
Ed
I tend to think we can boil “relevant” it down to simply: “Make it matter to me by connecting with something important in my life.”
For me, relevant is not trendy. Relevant is connection.
Evan,
I think you nailed it!
Ed
I agree with Evan….that says it all to me.
ED: check out this article
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090620/churches-report-drop-in-offerings-few-tighten-budgets/index.html
Tim,
Thanks for the article.
Ed