There is a lot of talk these days about  being “relevant.” I am beginning to dislike that word…a lot. In my Wednesday study on Colossians last night, we studied the problem in the Colossian church. Among other things was the attempt to make Christianity more palatable, but the effect was essentially dethroning Christ.

I’m afraid that is what often happens in today’s church. In the interest of making church “more relevant,” there has been compromises on essentials. Hence, my dislike for the word “relevant.” In my mind, and IMHO, this desire to be more relevant is nothing more than “dumbing down” God.

Please don’t misunderstand me here. A church can’t shouldn’t languish in the past either. Talk about irrelevant!! Being so afraid that all sorts of damage will be done to the witness and stand of the church can paralyze it. In reality it is a very thin line to maneuver.

The last sermon in my series on the church being alive is wrestling with this issue. I’m not sure I have the answer to the fine line we travel, but I do spend some time with the three essentials every  church needs if it is to make an impact and be around in years to come. I’m going to give them here and talk about them in another post:

Essential #1: The Primacy of Prayer

Essential #2: Willingness to become weak

Essential #3: The necessity of celebration

I’d appreciate your prayers. By the way: what do you think it will take for the church to make an impact in the coming years?