Late last fall (2012) I became part of a web-based "think-tank" for the church--a kind of conference-call fellowship of pastors from across the country who meet periodically via Skype to brainstorm new ideas for the church, and to address the rapidly-changing landscape of American culture. For the most part, I just listen in, but I do interject some thoughts from time-to-time.
One thing is for sure . . . the church across America is still catching up to the changes that have taken place in society. Mostly, the church is now struggling for relevancy in a culture that, increasingly, sees the church (or any organized faith) as irrelevant. And in ever-increasing numbers, those who are part of the church are feeling this way, too. High percentages of younger people (and older for that matter) are opting out of the church all-together, and they don't seem to be coming back.
The relevancy of the church (or more importantly, the relevancy of Christ) goes far beyond forms of communication or even substance. The church now faces the awesome task of living and teaching the gospel in real time--not church time, or our time, or when we find time.
Rather, those in our "think-tank" all seem to agree that relevancy must be discovered and lived in relationship. In essence, it's not going to be about how we reach out, or where we reach out, or what methods we use to reach out . . . but we will need to reach out and relate to those outside the church. It really is about us! Or, to put it another way . . . we will need to be evangelists (but not in the traditional sense--that's irrelevant!) who are eager to relate to others.
Those in our "think-tank" also challenged each other some months back to spend more of our time as pastors outside the church. I've been far more intentional, since then, to meet in places other than my church office for conversation. Restaurants, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts (and yes, Walmart) have all become meeting places for me . . . and I try to listen in. Where there is an opportunity, I invite others to Calvary, to find relevancy . . . which is to say, real relationships among real people. And if people find relevancy in relationships, they will find relevancy with God. That's how it works. Well, at least that's how I understand the gospel.
There are many other ideas that we bat around . . . but that's another story for another blog. Thanks for reading, Calvary. Tell someone else about this blog. Let's be relevant. And let's start a conversation.
What do you think of these ideas?
One thing is for sure . . . the church across America is still catching up to the changes that have taken place in society. Mostly, the church is now struggling for relevancy in a culture that, increasingly, sees the church (or any organized faith) as irrelevant. And in ever-increasing numbers, those who are part of the church are feeling this way, too. High percentages of younger people (and older for that matter) are opting out of the church all-together, and they don't seem to be coming back.
The relevancy of the church (or more importantly, the relevancy of Christ) goes far beyond forms of communication or even substance. The church now faces the awesome task of living and teaching the gospel in real time--not church time, or our time, or when we find time.
Rather, those in our "think-tank" all seem to agree that relevancy must be discovered and lived in relationship. In essence, it's not going to be about how we reach out, or where we reach out, or what methods we use to reach out . . . but we will need to reach out and relate to those outside the church. It really is about us! Or, to put it another way . . . we will need to be evangelists (but not in the traditional sense--that's irrelevant!) who are eager to relate to others.
Those in our "think-tank" also challenged each other some months back to spend more of our time as pastors outside the church. I've been far more intentional, since then, to meet in places other than my church office for conversation. Restaurants, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts (and yes, Walmart) have all become meeting places for me . . . and I try to listen in. Where there is an opportunity, I invite others to Calvary, to find relevancy . . . which is to say, real relationships among real people. And if people find relevancy in relationships, they will find relevancy with God. That's how it works. Well, at least that's how I understand the gospel.
There are many other ideas that we bat around . . . but that's another story for another blog. Thanks for reading, Calvary. Tell someone else about this blog. Let's be relevant. And let's start a conversation.
What do you think of these ideas?
I have found your blog by way of The UpperRoom Devotional. I am in agreement with the assessment of the 'think tank' regarding relevancy in today's culture/society. Please share how one might initiate/sustain a dialogue/conversation about Christ in settings outside the church.
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