Packaging Relevancy- A response

We must be relevant….

At the risk of annoying a powerful person in my denomination and further blotting my copy book I find myself pondering 'us' again. There is nowt so weird as a Presbyterian although I'm sure that may true of others. I found myself put out with a recent church blog about making 'ourselves' relevant! I love the ones that make me wriggle with discontent. 

Somehow if we find the right package for the Gospel we will win everyone back to Church, although personally I'd settle for God. To be fair the desire for relevancy is not unique to this writer or indeed others writing on this topic.

The attraction model is still very popular. The right music, the best coffee, the home baking and a preacher who embodies the 'other'- be that charismatic or hippy, or easy on the ear and eye works? I’ll admit I get it. 

It is a form of packaging and it has some merit. It can rekindle faith in those who have drifted away from organised religion. The risk here is that it relies on the individual and unless discipleship is encouraged, should that preacher move on the person leaves too. Those of you who have been around will remember Billy Graham campaigns and how important it was to follow up those who came to faith.

I guess my initial negative reaction to the notion of 'packaging the Gospel’ was that there was nothing to say how or what that looked like, just a vague criticism that somehow I’d failed at doing it right.  The author spoke of taking children here there and everywhere rather than bringing them to church.  And again, not unique.  And guess what…not a new problem.  Yet we are still convicted of the notion that for worship to be worthy of the Lord himself it must take place on a Sunday morning around 11am.  I love that the Catholics are more open to worship at a different time.  Why when everything else was happening on a Sunday morning did we not move to a Sunday afternoon? 

I honestly wonder if we need to turn the whole concept of Church on its head. What if we truly valued everything but Sunday worship? What if the amount of people it takes to produce weekly worship was redirected? What if the amount of time that went into preaching to the converted when into preaching to the unconverted or as I’d rather say – those who haven’t had an opportunity to meet the God who loves them? 

But I guess the question remains - can we be relevant and if so how are we relevant?

It is recognised that we are complex beings with physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Any of these out of balance with the others causes issues. I freely admit I cannot imagine life without faith. Faith gives me hope for a future I cannot see.  However, I have suffered from depression, I have physical condition managed by daily drugs, and my body will continue to age and decay. My emotional health is generally good but like all people it can have bleak days.  

I believe to live life in all its fullness includes faith, growing our relationship with our Creator, through his Son and the Spirit.  There is only so much I can do in Sunday worship. Building up the people of God is a privilege but it is only relevant to those who know him or of him and want more.  However, Jesus was found all over the place, talking to the one or the thousands. He taught, he welcomed, he healed, he challenged and he loved.

The Church is one of the last institutions providing a variety of care, engaging with schools, politics and the Third Sector, Welcome varies for our input. But folks, relevancy will not be found in praise bands and charismatic preachers. Relevancy will be found when we come alongside our community and live out the Gospel with honesty and integrity. 

When we speak gently with the shamed and embarrassed, when we welcome the prodigal child, when we clothe the struggling, when we stop behaving like spoilt brats and say thank you Jesus and when we stop leaving it to the professionals…

We are the gospel packaged up. You! Me!
If we are not living the Gospel, if we are not loving God, neighbour, ourselves and enemy on a daily basis, then I promise no amount of dressing up the Church or worship will matter.  For one thing that is key to understanding what it means to bring the church into the 21^st Century – nobody wants packaged messages or pedestals, they want truth, authenticity and transparency. 

We joke – do as I say, not as I do.  In reality we need to practise what we preach,  Then we would not need to fight for relevancy for revival will come.  Such is the Good News. And perhaps the first step is to believe it ourselves and be able to articulate that in word and action.  And remember it is true – God is before us and he is hoping we are in for the ride…

Be relevant – Be your beloved self for you are the Good News of Christ packaged and good to go! 💞💞