Relevant?
I just need an explanation. I’m not opposed to “modernizing” – I mean by that we don’t have to do the same old things in the same old way, but let’s be certain we (read: the Church of Jesus Christ) aren’t abandoning that of which the World has lost sight.
The Church where I attend just completed VBS. It was a great week with lots of kids and so many great – really great – workers. There’s no way we could have spent the kind of funds some Churches do without negatively affecting other programs – but we don’t need to. Our people, lavishing llove, make the difference.
In reading about how some local Churches conduct VBS, I ran across the following statement:
“We believe that God’s word is so powerful that if we make it culturally relevant then it will really penetrate the heart of the child. It just needs to speak to their world today. We need to make sure we’re telling it in a way that connects with children.” (Ft. Worth Star-Telegram)
“If we make it culturally relevant. . .” and “It just needs to speak to their world today.” The article went on to imply that music, evidently written by Lady Gaga, to which “different” lyrics were added, would cause the Word of God to be “relevant” and “connect with children” (and adults). Perhaps we have forgotten that the only means by which the “things of God” can be “connected” to men is via the work and ministry of God’s Holy Spirit.
So. . .I don’t get it. There is nothing about the “culture” of this World or Lady Gaga that I want my children to recognize or relate to. The Word of God IS relevant – period, to this culture and any other culture. If we fail to understand that, and feel we need to make the Church “fit” the World’s culture, we are doomed to failure in being obedient to God. He has called us out of this World’s culture of darkness and death into His marvelous light and life. Why would I want to bring any of that dark and despairing culture into the life of my child or God’s Church?
Maybe I am missing something here. Can you tell me what it is?