IRRELEVANCE

From My Perspective - - -

There are several instances of irrelevance in our culture. The political arena is a classic indicator of people who have learned political-speech but who find it difficult to state a direct answer to a particular issue or question. They give meaning to the hackneyed phrase: “they keep talking until they can think of something to say.” Part of what makes a politician come across as irrelevant includes: (a) his/her being in office for a prolonged period of time, and (b) a track record of having said one thing and compromising any reasonable principle just so they can “go along to get along.” Another area of irrelevance is the Media. News representatives no longer appear to be objective or willing to do investigative reporting. They have relegated themselves to the role of championing a point of view rather than delving into a matter and reporting facts and truth.

Irrelevance is a basis for great concern when it is evidenced in religious groups and ministries so-called. One would think that if there was one place in the world where facts and truth would be found – it would be The Church. It is sad to observe how the Culture has infiltrated the “church” rather than The Church having infiltrated the culture. However, even in “The Church”, there is a marked increase in subjectivism and tolerance of things that are not in accord with the core values and principles of the Christian faith. Areas and things that the Scriptures clearly condemn one will find that “the church” now condones. Things like same-gender marriage; lack of clarity regarding abortion; allowing for common-law unions rather than marriage; diminishing of the faithful proclamation of the Gospel; an absence and a failure to implement and practice Acts 20:27, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” Or, The Message Paraphrase of Acts 20:26-27 statement: “I've done my best for you, given you my all, held back nothing of God's will for you.” Is this the policy and practice of “the church” you attend? Are you being faithfully schooled in “the whole counsel of God”? Does your “church” act as though it believes “The Word of God is the only infallible rule for faith and practice?”

After a five year study, the Barna Group reported in November 2011: “one out of nine young people who grow up with a Christian background lose their faith in Christianity – a group described by the research team as Prodigals…More commonly, young Christians wander away from the institutional church – the pattern researchers labeled Nomads…Roughly four out of ten young Christians fall into this category…Another two out of ten young Christians were categorized as Exiles – those who feel lost between the ‘church culture’ and the society they feel called to influence…Overall, about three out of ten young people who grow up with a Christian background stay faithful to church and to faith throughout their transitions from the teen years through their twenties…” In a more recent study, it was reported that only 31 percent of those with some religious interest attend any “church” regularly, and with the Catholic Church it is 24 percent who regularly attend.

During this Lenten Season, a common message and theme regarding Jesus Christ – His Triumphal Entry; His Betrayal; His Trial and Mistreatment; His Death; His Resurrection - will be expressed in most churches. Paul’s summary of ministry purpose is given in I Corinthians 15:3-4, “I delivered to you first of all that which I received – that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…” This is the message that should be – must be proclaimed throughout the year. The Church that is faithful in declaring “the whole counsel of God” will do so upon the foundation of I Corinthians 15. Anything short of that – or less than that – is irrelevant. The Church is not called to make people happy and/or comfortable. The task is to lead people into righteousness and holiness. There are not enough “churches” concerned with the relevance of God’s Word in all matters of faith and life. In wanting the “church” to grow in numbers, they have sacrificed the core values and foundational truths and have allowed themselves to become irrelevant. Consider these things with me.