THIS WEEK is the final sermon for my series on Church Alive! I wrote a post last week about it and then wrote here about messing up. Oh well…mistakes will happen. I just happen to make a lot of them. 🙂
So…my sermon this week is about the church keeping up with things going on around it. Some will call it relevance. And I am not blind: I can read the comments. But please be patient with me as I wade through a few terms that apply. As I see it a church/the church struggles with 3 types of direction:
The first is contextualization. One of the essentials is taking stock of what surrounds you. In some cases using the wrong kind of language is a hindrance. Types of messages. Type of clothes a pastor wears. We need to speak so people will understand.
The second is pragmatism. “If it works, let’s work it.” The end justifies the means. It is not our place to manufacture growth. Our responsibility is to plant the seed. Someone has sarcastically said, “It is amazing what the American church can do without the Holy Spirit!”
The third is consumerism. “Give the customer what he wants.” Good idea for a business…not always the best for a church. “You want love? We’ll give you love. We’ll compromise the truth but at least you’ll feel good.” We end up delivering “sermonettes for Christianettes.”
It is important to remember that just because something sounds good or even is good does not make it right or the right thing to do. Our first order of business as a church is to honor and glorify God without compromise. It is never fun to confront those struggles, but I will be. I’d appreciate your prayers for a tough sermon. Thanks.
Any thoughts?
I also found out a friend of mine went to be with Jesus on Monday very suddenly. I have the funeral Friday. I’d appreciate your prayers about that as well. Thanks.
A great topic to tackle with forthrightness and sensitivity and love. I think you will do fine. I will be praying for you tomorrow morning in my devotionals.
Thanks for your prayers Daniel. They mean a lot, as does your confidence in my approach.
Hi Bill! Please accept my condolences on the passing of your friend. That is a hard thing…for you and the family involved. You will be in my prayers.
Knowing just what to do in a community must be a hard road of discernment. You do seem to have a handle on the choices, and I will also pray that you will get the grace you need to make the right choices. I think you have to be on the right track if you know you should be glorifying God. He can’t help but honor that.
Blessings,
Ceil
First, thanks Ceil for the prayers. Second, I appreciate your word of encouragement. We are definitely trying to make the right choices on how to glorify God.
I’m so sorry about the friend you lost, Bill. May Friday’s funeral be a sweet time of remembering and honoring their life. May they have known Jesus.
Re the tough issues you’re tackling, it’s hard from this end to respond since there is such a spectrum of things involved with those loaded terms. I feel like I’m stepping into a discussion that I’m late for, and have missed a lot of. 🙂 Blessings, peace, unity, courage, wisdom, and discernment for you, my friend. May God lead and guide you — which he is great at doing, huh? 🙂 You’ve got this, with God’s help.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
The funeral was easier to do because Mark did know Jesus. Of that I am glad. And you are not late to the party. 🙂 Appreciate that blessing Jennifer.
Sorry for your loss, brother. I’m praying for the family. I’m also praying for you to be the heart and hands of our Father today and on Sunday.
Thanks on both counts my friend.
Prayers for you, Bill, especially in light of your friend’s sudden passing. May he/she be living the life of perfect service in our Lord.
With regards to your message here, we needn’t be relevant, but we need to be REAL. The truth of God’s Gospel cannot be derailed. May He give you the strength and inspiration each Sunday to convey Jesus’ message.
Blessings!
I like that comment Martha and plan to use it. I actually wrote it into the sermon- REAL not relevant.