We Need More Than Relevancy

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Jesus, God Himself, Became Relevant Being Made in Human Likeness
Jesus’ incarnation shows the importance of meeting people where they are, so being relevant is important. Adapting to where people are tends to make a difference in their receptivity to the Gospel and their ability to understand and learn (1 Cor. 9:19-22). But, how far do we take it? Relevancy alone won’t bring eternal results.

What’s Needed More Than Relevancy

Jesus does set the example for us, which the Apostle Paul followed as seen when He wrote, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Cor. 9:22). Yet, Jesus Himself said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5). And, throughout his epistles, the Apostle Paul repeatedly acknowledged the need of divine power for anything of significance to happen in ministry (1 Cor. 3:6-7). No matter what words or strategies we use, people aren’t going to truly understand and accept truth without the Spirit of God at work (1 Cor. 2:11-14). Consequently, more than relevancy, we need God’s power. Seek to be relevant but don’t rely on that.

Relevancy does tend to help people in their understanding and motivation. Yet, if we aren’t careful, it can also be seen as a manipulative tool. Are we just doing certain things to pull people in or because we truly care enough to meet them where they are? God clearly states that we can do a lot of good things for the wrong reasons. Our words become like “resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” without love. No matter what we do, we “gain nothing” of eternal value if we do not have love. Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Consequently, more than relevancy, we need to be real in our love for people. Seek to be relevant but for the right reasons.

Relevancy does tend to grab people’s attention. Using what interests them makes it seem more palatable. Yet, we must guard against letting a need to be relevant turn into a quest to gain people’s approval. When that happens, we too easily can slip into compromise. It chips away at our integrity as we become more and more about pleasing people than pleasing God (Gal. 1:10; Col. 3:23-24; 1 Thess. 2:3-5). Consequently, more than relevancy we need a focus on God Himself. Seek to be relevant but keep God first and foremost.

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How Can We as a Church be Relevant?

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We already established in a previous post that being relevant as a Church, does not mean compromising who we are as Christians. Nor does it mean compromising truth. Certain realities do not change, like the eternal truth of Scripture based on who God is. We can, however, biblically find great flexibility in style, form, methodology, and structure, that can enable us to be relevant without watering down or violating God’s Word.

Ways the Church Can be Relevant without Compromising Truth

Relevancy cannot lead to changing the message. Our culture does not define truth but rather God does. Instead, we put the unadulterated truth of God’s Word in terms or language people can understand. It’s about adapting how we communicate, not what we communicate.

Jesus, God Himself, Became Relevant Being Made in Human LikenessJesus lived among people, talking their language, yet remained 100% God (Phil. 2:6-8).

Like Jesus, we can start by ministering to people’s physical or felt needs, never forgetting their greatest and most real need.

Like Jesus, we can use every day, familiar objects or illustrations to communicate truth.

By meeting people where they are, we’re showing them the connection between truth and their real life issues. Again, we’re not changing truth to fit them but rather showing how God and His ways already fit even their deepest needs.

This means Bible lessons and sermons aim for more than head knowledge. We seek to show the implications and application of truth to people’s lives. We tap into their age level characteristics and needs, to help meet them where they are. We get to know the people we serve so we can tailor our approach to them.

How We Can be Relevant in Different Aspects of Ministry

Relevancy needs to extend beyond how we connect with people to how we function as a Church. Here are just a few ways to consider:

  • We make programs relevant by structuring according to needs, not because “we’ve always done it that way”.
  • Presentations and meetings become more relevant when we employ current technology and creative methodology, and not merely do what’s comfortable for the leader.
  • Recruiting people for ministry becomes more relevant when we emphasize the worth of getting people involved, rather than simply filling a position
  • Training for ministry becomes more relevant when it gets tailored to people’s needs rather than simply applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
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Should We Be Concerned about Relevancy in Ministry?

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We hear a good bit about how the Church needs to be relevant in order to reach the world around us. Is relevancy something we should concern ourselves with as Christians? Perhaps the importance of being relevant in ministry depends on how we define it.

What It Means Biblically for the Church to be Relevant

Looking at synonyms for the word helps us see that being relevant is about making a connection for/with people that helps them see the significance and applicability of truth to their lives. Hence, we’re showing how pertinent or important and useful it is to them. To be relevant, then, somehow we must make a connection between where people are and where we want to take them or what we want to teach them.

We’re not talking about becoming so much like the world that people can’t distinguish between us. As followers of Jesus Christ, we’re called to be set apart — holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15). We conform to Jesus, not to the world around us (Rom. 12:1-2). We remain “the pillar and foundation of truth” as the Church of the living God (1 Tim. 3:15).

Jesus, God Himself, Became Relevant Being Made in Human Likeness

Yet, being set apart doesn’t mean we’re aloof, untouchable, or superior. Think about Jesus, “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Phil. 2:6-7). He was even criticized for patronizing with sinners and tax collectors (Matt. 11:19). Surely His incarnation provides the greatest example of what it means to be relevant. He made that connection, showing people what God is like (Jn. 1:18) and how to be in a relationship with Him (Jn. 17:20-21).

The Importance of Relevancy in Ministry

Given Jesus’ example, being relevant is a matter of Christlikeness. The Apostle Paul, who stressed how He wanted to know Christ and become like Him in all things (Phil. 3:10), provides some key commentary about the importance of relevancy in ministry. He said, “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” He then went on to mention different people groups and how he adapted to them, concluding with, ” I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Cor. 9:19-22)

The goal of making these connections with people is to affect their lives with the truth of the Gospel. Relevancy helps people better understand truth and see its importance which in turn motivates them to believe and appropriate it to their lives.

The questions we ask next will be:

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What Do You Depend on to Effectively Serve?

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Sensing that our ministry will make a difference in people’s lives provides motivation to serve. If we’re going to put the time and effort into serving, certainly we should want to be effective. But, what enables us to effectively serve?

What We Might Rely on in Our Ministries to Effectively Serve

What we rely on might relate to our area of ministry.

  • Bible teachers might rely on their communication skills. Words do hold importance for teachers. They will be held to a greater accountability in regard to their use of words — not so much eloquence but accuracy (James 3:1-2).
  • Church leaders might depend on their ability to influence people. As a shepherd it is their responsibility to guide the sheep (Ps. 78:72; 1 Pet. 5:2-3). They have been given an entrustment for which they will be held accountable (Heb. 13:17, 1 Pet. 5:3).
  • As witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ in an outreach ministry, we might rely on a certain strategy to reach the lost. We have the Apostle Paul’s example of strategizing to best reach people where they were (1 Cor. 9:19-23).
  • Those in some sort of benevolence ministry might rely on their kind deeds that meet people’s needs. Jesus did say that blessing and an inheritance lie ahead for those who share. Whatever we do to help others is like as though we’re doing it to Him (Matt. 25:34-40).
  • People on a worship team might rely on their musical and vocal abilities. We are exhorted to do all we do to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31), to be faithful stewards of what we’ve been given (Matt. 25:14-30), which include our natural talents..

Real Effectiveness in Ministry Requires Depending on the Right Means

It Takes Jesus to Effectively Serve
Whether serving as an individual or on a church committee or ministry team of some sort, we need to use what it takes to do our best to the glory of God as faithful stewards of what God’s given us. Yet, self-effort isn’t sufficient for making an eternal difference. Effectiveness that leaves an eternal impact requires the power of God. We must always remember Jesus’ words in John 15:5. — “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

When we depend on His power, we can do exceedingly more than we ever could by relying on our own words, influence, strategies, actions, or talents. We can’t even imagine the possibilities (Eph. 3:20-21). Like the Apostle Paul, we can say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13, NKJV).

If you’re a church leader, be an example of depending on God’s power and encourage people in the Body to rely on Him in their ministries as well. The Steering the Church Toward God’s Power Leadership Guide can help you think through how to do that.

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Reflecting the Joy of the Lord in Ministry

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Reflecting Joy Because of the Abundant Life Jesus Came to GiveIf we are going to serve with joy through the good and bad of ministry, our Source of joy must be “in the Lord” (Phil. 4:4). Jesus expressed His desire for followers, “that they may have the full measure of my joy within them” (Jn. 17:13). Notice that He wants us to have the FULL measure of HIS joy, not a trickle of it or an occasional flow of it. He also said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it TO THE FULL” (Jn. 10:10).

Reflecting the joy of the Lord amidst all of the stresses, disappointments, and hardships of ministry speaks volumes about our wonderful God who is the Source of such joy. So, here’s the question we should ask as we look at our ministry: Are we reflecting the joy of the Lord, that abundance of life?

Evidence We’re Reflecting the Joy of the Lord in Ministry

Circumstances will not always be ideal in ministry. We will face challenges and complications. Some things will be out of our control. We will often have more to do than our schedules can handle. Despite all of that we will have certain qualities evidenced in our lives when serving out of joy that finds its Source in the Lord.

We will have …

peace regardless of the circumstances that enables us to endure. (Heb. 12:2; James 1:2)

hope regardless of the challenges that enables us to press on. (Rom. 15:13)

gratitude regardless of the complications that enables us to keep loving and believing in Him. (1 Pet. 1:3-9)

contentment that keeps us satisfied due to His love that enables us to have a song in our heart. (Ps. 5:11; 90:13-15)

confidence no matter what that enables us to remain unshaken because we know He is with us. (Ps. 21:6; Acts 2:25-28)

Do you want such joy? Remember that His joy is a fruit of the Spirit. We must constantly yield control to the Spirit (Eph. 5:18-20) and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-26) rather than try to do ministry on our own.

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Correct Ministry Problems But Seek to Prevent When Possible

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Trouble in World But We Can Prevent or Correct Some
Ministry troubles can come from a variety of sources but how we deal with them might vary depending on the cause. Ideally we should seek to prevent problems but that isn’t always possible as some issues in ministry aren’t a result of our own choices or actions, though sometimes they might be.

Causes of Ministry Problems and How to Prevent or Correct Them

Whether preventing or correcting problems, looking at the cause can help us determine how to proceed.

  1. Sometimes we inherit problems already in existence when we became involved.

Prevent: Obviously we can’t prevent pre-exiting problems. We can turn down the ministry opportunity because of it but sometimes we’re not aware issues exist until we get involved. Or, we can accept the challenge, under God’s leading, and with His wisdom and power rise above and perhaps even help rectify the problem.

Correct: When getting involved in a ministry with pre-existing problems, we must move cautiously and slowly. Initially we should do little other than observe and learn more about the situation. We should build relationships and meet people where they are. Then we can gradually introduce change, under God’s guidance, as we are able. Read: Eph. 4:2, 32; 1 Thess. 5:11-22; Heb. 10:24; 1 Pet. 3:8-11; 5:5

  1. There may be times we’re the one who makes a mistake leading to some fallout. We may have made a wrong decision, an error in judgment, perhaps something that had a number of “good” or “acceptable” choices and we didn’t choose the best.

Prevent: Before making any decisions, we should pray first so we’re not leaning on our own understanding but rather fully trusting the Lord to guide us (Prov. 3:5-6). We can learn to be more discerning by regularly studying and aligning with God’s Word (Heb. 5:14) and following the way of love (Phil. 1:9-10).

Correct: The best thing we can do is humbly admit we made a mistake. Pride will keep us from changing course or re-building bridges in relationships that may have suffered as a result of our mistake. Read: Ps. 139:23-24; Prov. 19:20, 25

  1. Sadly we might act or react contrary to God and His ways due to our old sin nature.

Prevent: When we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-23).

Correct: We need to confess our sin to God and others, and make amends. We must rely on God to change us from the inside out by His grace and power. Read: 1 Jn. 1:5-10; Matt. 5:23-25; Jn. 8:10-11

  1. Others may sin or make mistakes, that has nothing to do with us, but causes problems in our sphere of ministry.

Prevent: Apart from denying others opportunity to be involved in the same ministry we’re in, which goes contrary to God’s ways, we have to accept the reality that we live in a fallen world, the consequences of which will even affect the Church and ministries. But, we can also do our part to spur others on the love and good deeds, seeking to build them up in their walk with God, and encouraging them to walk in the Spirit so they are more prone to align with God and His ways. And, we certainly can pray for people in our sphere of ministry … regularly, not just when they’re in crisis or problems arise.

Correct: God encourages us to talk with people privately in ways that lovingly speak truth into their lives, always enveloping any confrontation in prayer, fervently asking God to work in their hearts. Read: Eph. 4:15; Gal. 6:1-2; Heb. 10:24; James 5:13-16

Let’s remember Jesus’ words so we have a realistic view of ministry. He said, “In this world you will have trouble.” We may not always be able to prevent problems. But, we can have perspective and act and react in a Christ-like manner when we grasp hold of Jesus’ next statement. — “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33) — In Him, there’s a way forward.

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