It’s amazing how the word “relevant” has become a buzz word in some circles as if it is on every page of the Bible. The problem is I can’t seem to find it. I think the Bible says more about being holy than being relevant, but of course holiness might not be relevant in a sin sick world.
I believe we need to use all the modern tools and technology at our disposal to reach today’s generation. We certainly can be modern or fit the times in things that are not absolutes and essentials in Scriptures without giving in to Postmodernism’s hatred of absolute truth. We can change our tools and methods without adapting down to be like a sin sick world. What I have been concerned about from experiencing and witnessing its effects is the movement that has gained popularity in America in the last 30 years called seeker friendly, (seeker sensitive, seeker driven, or seeker targeted) church. The “seeker friendly” movement seems to cater to the culture’s desire to have a non-challenging religious atmosphere that affirms people in their condition instead of making them into true disciples of Jesus.
The movement’s obsession for relevance has introduced leaven into the Church. Leaven always corrupts the place where it abides (Galatians 5:9). Leaven is the substance added to dough and liquids that causes fermentation. Leaven has no odor; you cannot see it; you cannot detect it with the senses. Leaven works secretly, silently. Leaven symbolizes evil mixture. Leaven flourishes in lukewarm water or conditions. Our enemy, Satan, always seeks to sow leaven into the unleavened truths of God. The devil has sown leaven into the Church through the seeker church. God always commanded that all leaven must be removed (Exodus 12:19, 20), because it always pollutes the place it abides. It is the product of corruption and it produces corruption. In the Old Testament, the Israelite fathers thoroughly searched their homes or went on a leaven hunt and took all the leaven out and burned it (Exodus 12, 13). False concepts and teaching can be leaven and leaven needs to be purged out.
They often use cliché phrases that sound to the untrained ear to be very astute and sincere. They say things like, “We want to be culturally relevant while remaining doctrinally pure,” but in practice they are not so pure. They fail to hold fast to sound doctrine Titus 1:9. They accuse holding to pure doctrine as being legalistic while they care about people playing one against the other. Neither should be neglected. In a progressive fashion through the years the enemy has slowly weaned them away from the Word and lessened the high holy standards of the Word.
Opposition to them is “spun” as being one who is resistant to change, or someone who is holding to the old fashioned; but opposition is really holding fast to sound doctrine and remembering the old paths Jeremiah 6:16. Materials, resources, and training tools are readily available to leaders in America. There are conferences, seminars, and meetings put on in many places where leaders can be indoctrinated and seeded with these concepts. It is pervasive and at a plague level. All pastors want their churches to grow which makes them vulnerable to looking for what’s working. What is working and getting results can be a pragmatic approach but it can also be the compromise of adapting down the Church to the culture. I thought we were to be obedience oriented.
Many times in an effort to be relevant to one target group you become irrelevant to another because relevance is relative to each particular group. Relevance cannot be the supreme driver to our ministry approach. Within a church, what is relevant to one age group is irrelevant to another age group. In the culture, what is relevant to a preppy pop culture can be totally irrelevant to an urban rap culture. Trumpeting relevance won’t hold up in all settings but truth will. We are to be Gospel and truth driven not relevance driven. Methods change, styles change, technologies change, and mediums of communication change with time but the truth of God’s Word is never to adapt down to culture.
Do we have any models to look to as a pattern for ministering and reaching our present culture? The Apostle Paul was a great example of a ministry in a sin sick culture. Paul’s ministry was cross centered, cross governed, and not culture governed 1 Corinthians 1:17, 18, 23, and 24. Paul’s focus not with enticing words of man’s wisdom 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 but in demonstration of the Spirit and power. His approach wasn’t with words only but with supernatural power 1 Corinthians 4:20. Paul spoke “not as pleasing men” 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 but pleasing God.
Pastor John Rasicci is the founder and Pastor of Word of His Grace Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where we are building people who are building the Church. Pastor's ministry mission is to help people discover God's dream for their Life, the Local Church, and the Last Days' Harvest. With a strong emphasis on the grace of God and with a prophetic voice, Pastor John preaches and teaches in churches, conferences, and crusades both locally and throughout the world. He has produced books, tapes, and other teaching materials to empower, enable, and equip Believers with the Word of God. Pastor John is married to his wife Candy who with their three children, Krista, Joanna, John Anthony, and two son-in-laws, Matt and Doug, serve together in the ministry. After graduating from Kent State University, Pastor John pursued a career in professional baseball before accepting the call to the ministry. He and his wife, Candy, received their ministry training from Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
John Rasicci 
Team player, plugged in is Wall Street Jargon. Team building through fun and competitive activities is standard corporate tactics.
Rather than , ” Deny yourself…” they encourage members to indulge yourself and pick up your golf clubs. God bless you for standing firm.