So, what’s the Relevance?

Someone has said, ‘If the church or any organisation keeps on doing what it has always been doing, it will keep on being what it has always been.’ As Christians, we recognise that the message of Christianity never changes, but the way we seek to ‘do church’ and share the message might. The biggest challenge to the church today is to be relevant.

Relevance can be defined as 'connected to what is happening; useful or suitable for a purpose.' To be relevant requires us to be connected to the world we live in, and to be useful and suitable for God's purpose. The question we as Christians should constantly ask ourselves is this, ‘Are we connected to the world around us? Are we useful to the world outside the church?’

"Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, non-religious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralised - whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ - but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it, I wanted to be in on it." 1 Cor 9:19-23, MSG

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, we see the characteristics of a relevant Christian and how they can be seen.

1. Ready

"I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all..."
There is a difference between someone who is committed to serve, and a demand to serve. The spirit of servanthood is not demanding but comes from a willing heart. Psalm 100 says, "Serve the Lord with gladness".

2. Expansive

"... in order to reach a wide range of people..."
Christianity has to be inclusive, not exclusive. The Bible teaches that 'whosoever believes' shall be saved.

3. Lifestyle

"I didn't take on their way of life..."
Relevance doesn't mean we embrace the spirit of the world. The world is not looking to be reproduced in the Church but is rather looking for alternatives and answers. We need to have a commitment to values and setting an example. We cannot be relevant to the world if we compromise our behaviour and beliefs.

4. Engaged

"I kept my bearings in Christ..."
To be relevant requires us to be stable, not wavering. James 1 teaches us that he who wavers is unstable like a wave in the sea. We need to be firmly planted in the Word.

5. Vicarious

"I entered into their world ..."
We need to be in the world, but not of the world. We aren't called to isolate ourselves from the world but the significant work of the Church is required out there in the unredeemed world.

6. Accepting

"I tried to experience things from their point of view..."
Sadly, the Church is often seen to be imposing their view on the world. Being relevant requires us not to be judgmental, but rather seeing the world with understanding and moved with compassion.

7. Not Narrow

"I became every kind of servant there is ..."
Being relevant isn't so much about being hip or cool, but more about being big spirited. Instead of being narrow-minded, let us be embracing with a breadth and a depth that draws the world to Jesus.

8. Tasked

“in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life.”
Paul never forgot or gave up on his main purpose in life. When any church has done this it has become obsolete.

As we move forward as a fellowship, let’s seek to truly see what real relevance is – and pass everything we do through this filter.