This is my final post in this series. It’s a little longer than the others, but it’s actually much shorter than it could be…The last idol I want to speak to is the idol of RELEVANCE. Churches can become irrelevant for any number of reasons. Spiritual pride can keep us from considering that non-Christian guests may not understand our highly developed “Christian-speak.” Administrative incompetence might make it difficult for people to find us, or to enjoy being with us once they do (possibly due to crowded conditions, erratic temperature control, musty smells, etc.). A faulty understanding of what it means to be “in the world but not of the world” may result in a narrow interpretation of what external practices constitute godliness. Churches that don’t use electricity are one example that comes to mind. Each of the churches I’ve described here would bring greater glory to God by becoming more “relevant.” However, the idol of relevance is rooted in the fear that people may not like us because we seem different from them. We want them to know we eat at the same restaurants, watch the same TV shows, listen to the same bands, laugh at the same jokes, and go to the same movies that they do. Our greatest fear is being perceived as out of touch. Obviously, there are many times we’ll engage in the same activities as non-Christians. It’s one way that we maintain a conversation with and presence in the world. However, we’re fighting a losing battle when relevance becomes our aim - to convince the world we’re just like them. There are aspects of our culture that we clearly want to set ourselves apart from, simply because they contain so much that is opposed to glorying in Jesus Christ. Martin Lloyd-Jones addressed the desire of preachers to be “relevant” in his book, Preaching and Preachers. His point is applicable to worship leaders as well. “Our Lord attracted sinners because He was different. They drew near to Him because they felt that there was something different about Him. That poor sinful woman of whom we read in Luke 7Luke 7 [7:1]After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. [2]Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. [3]When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. [4]And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, [5]for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue." [6]And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. [7]Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. [8]For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." [9]When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." [10]And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. [11]Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. [12]As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. [13]And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." [14]Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." [15]And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. [16]Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" [17]And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. [18]The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, [19]calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" [20]And when the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?'" [21]In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. [22]And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. [23]And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." [24]When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [25]What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. [26]What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [27]This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.' [28]I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." [29](When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, [30]but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.) [31]"To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? [32]They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.' [33]For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' [34]The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' [35]Yet wisdom is justified by all her children." [36]One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. [37]And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, [38]and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. [39]Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." [40]And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." [41]"A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42]When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" [43]Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." [44]Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45]You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. [46]You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. [47]Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." [48]And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." [49]Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" [50]And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (ESV)

did not draw near to the Pharisees and wash their feet with her tears, and wipe them with the hair of her head. No, but she sensed something in our Lord – His purity, His holiness, His love – and so she drew near to Him. It was His essential difference that attracted her. And the world always expects us to be different. This idea that you are going to win people to the Christian faith by showing them that after all you are remarkably like them, is theologically and psychologically a profound blunder.” (p. 140) Jesus possessed an “essential difference” that people, both religious leaders and prostitutes, were aware of. That difference included a profound humility, an unshakeable joy, and a servant heart. Ultimately, it was a refusal to bow to the god of this world, and an unyielding commitment to love His Father and obey His will. ( Jn. 2:24-25, 5John 2:24-25 [24]But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people [25]and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. (ESV)

This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

:30) Jesus related to sinners because He had come to give His life as a ransom for them. He hung around the “low-lifes” of his day enough to be accused of engaging in their sins ( Lk. 7:34Luke 7:34 [34]The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' (ESV)

This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

), yet we never get the impression he attended parties to prove that he was just like everyone there. I could provide links to a number of church websites right here that would illustrate pursuing the idol of relevance. (After poking around the Internet, I’m convinced that truth is definitely stranger than fiction.) I decided not to do it, though. Like me, you may find it’s too easy to be tempted to self-righteousness, uncharitable judgment, or false accusation. I think the following description of the church in Acts succinctly communicates the distance that exists between the church and the world, and how God adds to His people in spite of it - or perhaps because of it. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. ( Acts 5:13-14 ESVActs 5:13-14 [13]None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. [14]And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, (ESV)

This text is from the ESV Bible. Visit www.esv.org to learn about the ESV.

) What I believe every Christian pastor and leader needs to answer are questions like these: Are people who visit our church more aware of how different we are or how similar we are to them? Are the people in my church growing in their likeness to the values of Jesus Christ or the world? Do the songs we sing and the references we make communicate the supreme treasure of God’s Word or the godless pride of our age? On a more personal note, as a leader I want to carefully watch my own intake. It’s revealing to measure how much time I actually spend reading, studying, and observing the thoughts of non-Christians for the purpose of being “relevant.” How much is necessary for me to enable meaningful contact with the world around me? That’s a question I need to answer from the Lord’s perspective, not mine or the world’s. I’m in the middle of reading Os Guiness’ book Prophetic Untimeliness: A Challenge to the Idol of Relevance. It’s an excellent read. I think this quote says what I’d like to say better than I ever could: “By our breathless chase after relevance without a matching commitment to faithfulness, we have become not only unfaithful but irrelevant; by our determined efforts to redefine ourselves in ways that are more compelling to the modern world than are faithful to Christ, we have lost not only our identity but our authority and our relevance. Our crying need is to be faithful as well as relevant.” (p. 15) Father, by your grace make us faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ - in our words, our deeds, and our thoughts. And like the early church, we trust that more than ever believers will be added to the Lord.

7 Comments »

1. Hi Bob
   I like your thoughtfulness and grace in what you write here.

   The Os Guiness quote sums up well the challenge that we face - that of finding in what ways we are supposed to be the same (relevance), and in what ways we should be different (faithfulness) to the world. It is a timely moment for us to think on this, as it is a key lesson of the incarnation - that Jesus became like us in every way yet was without sin - the same but different. The question then becomes for us - how do we “incarnate” Christ to this generation - making the divine visible and accessible to this culture, being in the world but not of it.

   I actually think that we are all - including those who seem obsessed by relevance - seeking this same goal. We need though a more thorough biblical framework and shared language for this task, to enable us to find a way forward beyond the sniping that so often typifies the debate.

   I think that the cross gives us that framework - Jesus’ life was shaped by accepting servanthood, sacrifice, and suffering in the pursuit of God’s life-giving agenda. This stands so much against the use and pursuit of wealth, power, and pleasure that are behind many of the idolotrous attitudes you identify.

   Thanks for your contribution. God bless you for the coming year.

   Comment by Keith — December 30, 2005 @ 8:37 am

2. I heard a godly leader once state:
   “Worship Leaders: remember that the unsaved can’t worship.” It has been a focusing element in reminding me to arrest people’s attention to God and not the culture about us. Thanks for your many years of ministry. You have been used of God in my life and ministry. Paul

   Comment by Paul Hayes — December 30, 2005 @ 10:29 am

3. I thought that was a most relevant post. Thanks and God Bless.

   Comment by dbctan — January 1, 2006 @ 5:12 pm

4. Hi Bob,

   I’ve been a part of Sovereign Grace Ministries for almost seven years now and just realized this site existed. Thank you so much for allowing the Lord to work through you as you provide worthwhile material that draws our attention to Biblical truth and doctrine. God has used your worship in music much in the process of transforming my life, and I never tire of the truth-filled music of Sovereign Grace Ministries–from old to new!

   Thanks again.

   In Christ our Savior,
   -Franz Schneider
   (Providence Community Church, Denver CO)

   Comment by Franz Schneider — January 3, 2006 @ 9:11 pm

5. Bob,
   I was directed to your site by a friend who posted a few quotes on a site of her own. I had a few problems with quotes that read there and thought that I would post them on your site just to get you opinion on them.

   It’s true that Christ came and presented something different, something that no one expected, but there were reasons He was different. First and foremost is that the people didn’t know what they were expecting. They wanted a conquering king, but what they needed was a Redeemer. The prophecies called for both, but the one is required before they other.
   Second, He was Christ. How different from everyone else around you can you get? God incarnate, the Second Adam, the Son of Man, the one born without sin. I don’t qualify for any of those titles. Yes, He came to be and live as a man; To feel, taste, touch, and understand what it means to be human, but he was and is still God.
   So…different, of course, but because of that He talked in ways that the people would understand along with they ways that they wouldn’t. His use of parables was commonplace for teachers of Christ’s day. The stories He told had characters that the people could respond to. In essence, they were relevant to the day and time. The truths are universal, but there are reasons no one understands what faith like a mustard seed means today.

   I completely agree that we cannot idolize relevancy. We can’t and shouldn’t idolize anything. But we cannot dismiss cultural relevance in the church as just another passing fad. We must simply remember that the message stays relevant no matter what decade it is, but our way of communicating that message can and, in my personal opinion, should change with in the cultural context. That includes the American context, not just overseas.

   Of course, what I think was meant here was an extension of what we as Christians are called too…an exemplary life, being above reproach. Which is different, from being culturally relevant. You can be relevant without being steeped in social vices. In any case, we really should make the separation here. Just a few of my thoughts.
   A.T.H.

   Like I wrote at the end, it’s simple a few of my thoughts nothing more. I understand what you mean in you post. We cannot live a life of sin and attract sinners to a life with Christ. There must be a difference in our lives, but I believe calling this being relevant is a bit misleading. On the other hand I’m not quite sure what to call it. Still I believe the key here is balance. Thank you for your blog, it’s one that I will certainly be returning too. As a young worship pastor it gives me another chance to see things from a perspective other than my own.
   A.T.H.

   Comment by Aaron Combs — January 4, 2006 @ 10:51 am

6. To Aaron:

   Thanks for your thoughtful, humble question/response to this post. You wrote:

   “We cannot dismiss cultural relevance in the church as just another passing fad. We must simply remember that the message stays relevant no matter what decade it is, but our way of communicating that message can and, in my personal opinion, should change with in the cultural context.”

   Amen. However, I think that decisions to change our way of communicating the eternal message of the Gospel can be made for the wrong reasons, with unintended consequences. That’s the point here. For instance, I may see the church down the street starting to use video because we live in a video culture. So I start looking for movie clips, and organize a video team, and start spending massive amounts of money on projectors and software for the purpose of staying in touch with the folks in my culture, who don’t like to read or hear preaching. Without a careful examination of my motives (do I just want to be on the cutting edge?), a thoughtful anticipation of the consequences (what will we have to STOP doing in order to START doing this?), and a theological basis for my actions (what biblical truths am I seeking to communicate more clearly through these changes?), I run the risk of idolatry, and possibly hindering my communication the Gospel.

   One more thought. I wouldn’t say that balance is our goal (commitment to Scripture vs. seeking to be relevant), but rather basing everything we do on a careful, thorough study of God’s Word. If we give ourselves to what God clearly lays out for us to do when we gather, we’ll have less time to pursue things that might be a distraction to those priorities.

   Thanks again for reading and responding. Feel free to follow up.

   Comment by Bob Kauflin — January 4, 2006 @ 1:18 pm

7. Prophetic Untimeliness is an excellent book that I had the chance to read less than a year ago. “Relevant to what and why?” is a great question. Os doesn’t want us to be irrelevant, rather he challenges the notion that relevancy is more important than anything else.

   He quotes a 1966 resolution from the World Council of Churches saying, “the world must set the agenda for the church.”

   Os points out, in contradistinction, what all great theologians have known. He follows Augustine as well as Lewis when he says that the Christian faith is both world affirming and world denying. We are to speak the word of the Lord into our culture, he reminds us. The Lord is sovereign, not the culture. Though certainly, like the apostle Paul, we have our hearers in mind, and very personally so, when we seek to speak the word of the Lord to them. Indeed, the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news for every culture, so it is most relevant to this culture, as Os points out!

   Anyway, this is a really great read, so, do pick it up if you get the chance and be challenged to practice what he calls “resistance thinking.” In short, he says this is: “the way of relevance with faithfulness.” Or at length, it: “balances the pursuit of relevance on the one hand with a tenacious awareness of those elements of the Christian message that don’t fit in with any contemporary age on the other.”

   Comment by em — September 10, 2006 @ 8:17 pm

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