I recently had a conversation with Dave, the new youth pastor at MCC, about what makes us relevant in ministry. While there is nothing wrong with using common culture to connect with others, there is everything wrong with doing whatever it takes to attract the masses if it requires us to offend God in the process. Our relevance comes not from our clothes, programs or style. Jesus revealed by the power and divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit makes Christians truly relevant.
Style, music and programs may be what attracts some. But it certainly is not the basis for real spiritual growth or healthy fellowships. There is nothing wrong with style, music or programs as long as Jesus remains the reason for being in fellowship in the first place.
Looking at Jesus' ministry, He attracted crowds because of miracles and how He taught as one with authority. The Spirit flowed from Him and connected with the emptiness in people. Jesus drew crows because He modeled and spoke about a divine life they have never seen before.
Just as quickly as Jesus seemed to attract a crowd on some occasions, He repelled them at others when He preached the tough words of the cross. I am reminded of the time that Jesus fed the multitudes with five loaves and two fish. Crowds followed Him for the free food, but they ran away when Jesus preached the tough words of the true Gospel. Sometimes you can be truly relevant and still repel the crowds. This shows that effective ministry is not necessarily measured by crowds or what public opinion thinks. Our obedience to God's Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is the mark of effective ministry. God desires obedience over impressive results.
Looking at a recent copy of Relevant magazine, I noticed how much the publication focused on celebrity, music and culture to attract its readership. Some view this as a bad thing. Others believe it is simply meeting the masses where they are at to take them where God wants them to be. I don't really know where I fall on that whole debate. I think both sides have a point. I am concerned that what we use to draw people may be what we have to do to keep them. Does such an attitude reflect a lack of faith in God being enough? God certainly doesn't go out of His way to make things easy sometimes. He could do much more to attract a crowd. But sometimes He seems hidden. It's almost as if you have to really want to find God in order to discover Him sometimes.
Then again, Jesus did go to the hurting people and connect with many of them in a very relevant way. He always seemed to take whatever approach was needed to get to the real issue behind the visible problem. Jesus would go anywhere and minister to prostitutes, lepers, tax collectors, demon possessed people and outcasts.
I may cancel my subscription to Relevant magazine. There isn't anything wrong with the magazine. But I am concerned that I may abuse it. Sometimes I wonder if it would be too easy for me to substitute trying to be cool for attempting to become even more like Christ. I know that the Holy Spirit is what makes me relevant, but sometimes it can be so easy to get distracted. How can I keep a proper perspective when I am constantly bombarded with so much hype about the latest thing?
