The word “relevant” seems like a dirty word these days among the Church because it’s assumed that you are trying to be like the world. Being relevant has nothing to do with being conformed to the world, nor is it tainting the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – it has, and always will be, that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was physically resurrected. The Gospel will never change, and what applied to mankind 2,000 years ago still applies 100% today (when you get right down to it, that’s real relevancy!).
Being relevant is not about following trends, but it’s about connecting with people regardless of method and being open to new tools, technologies, and approaches to aid us in spreading God’s Word. Being relevant is all about capturing someone’s attention without pandering to them. Demonizing technology will only hurt your message in the long run because the world is on computer and phone screens. Grandparents are even using technology now more than ever.
Paul was able to connect with the Romans and the Hebrews because he spent time with both groups. He still preached the Gospel to them but did it in a way that they can relate to:
“…to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
– 1 Corinthians 9:21-22 [NKJV]
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