rel·e·vant

rel·e·vant \ˈre-lə-vənt\ adj.
bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent: a relevant remark.

I've now have the title for the book I want to write...Reclaiming Relevance. I'm convinced that too much of what we do as churches and worship ministries is driven by what we've done as churches and worship ministries. History and heritage are important gifts that are not to be overlooked, but I'm convinced we spend an inordinate amount of time and energy holding onto those at the expense of having a "bearing upon" or being "connected with the matter at hand." And that matter is proclaiming the glory of God and His unfathomable grace to a profoundly unaware and desperate world.

I know that the term "relevant" has gotten some bad press in certain circles, and that's OK. Relevance has served as the excuse for shallowness and lack of preparation in far too many instances. It can be used as a reason to dilute truth. In these applications, so-called "relevance" deserves the condemnation it has received.

On the other hand, scripture commands us to be "relevant" in the best and truest sense of the term. What has more "bearing upon" the foundational questions of good and evil, life and death, meaning and purpose, than the truth of God's word? This truth, of course, is unchangeable. Our delivery of it, though, must always be evaluated in terms of accuracy and effectiveness. If that evaluation reveals a need for change, we have abdicated our responsiblities as salt and light if we fail to implement it--whether it suits us or not. How dare I allow my preferences to supercede my God-ordained responsibility to present His truth in a way that it can be heard and understood by the world around me?

Anyway, my book (if I ever write it) will likely focus on the issue of relevancy particularly as it pertains to worship. It will likely cause offence to some whom I deeply admire and respect, but they will, hopefully, hear my heart even if they disagree with my approach. Who may agree or disagree, though, can't be the determining factor in whether or not I write (or what I write).

So what do you think?