“Contemporaryâ€
This is the word, “relevance’s’†(buzzz) evil twin.
How so? Well, alot of churches believe that if they throw in some, “contemporary†(buzzz) stuff (dressing casual, drums, electric guitar, etc.) that automatically makes them relevant (buzzz). But if that were true, than anything contemporary (buzzz) would automatically connect to your audience.
But that connection is anything but automatic.
Why?
Because of a misunderstanding of what contemporary (buzzz) means.
Contemporary (buzzz) means (according to Dictionary.com):
|
contemporary |
(adj.) |
Belonging to the same period of time: a fact documented by two contemporary sources. |
|
contemporary |
(adj.) |
Of about the same age. |
|
contemporary |
(n.) |
One of the same time or age: Shelley and Keats were contemporaries. |
And relevant (buzzz) means:
|
relevant |
(adj.) |
Having a bearing on or connection with the matter at hand. |
Do you see the difference?
Contemporary (buzzz) carries with it the idea of being ‘up to date.’ In otherwords, the thing your doing, saying, or presenting in 2007 needs to match 2007 in order to be contemporary (buzzz).
Let’s take music for example. If your church’s music sounds like something right out of the 1950’s then you obviously aren’t concerned with it being ‘up to date.’ In fact, you might have a church full of Elvis fans, or people who are just diehard 50’s aficionados
If that’s your target, than you aren’t being contemporary (buzzz), but you might be very relevant (buzzz). If something is relevant, it connects with the group you are trying to reach.
It speaks their language.
It scratches their itch.
It makes sense to them.
The problem with churches who simply throw in an electric guitar and some drums because they think they’ve discovered the panacea for church growth is that they are not being true to who they are. They aren’t being authentic (buzzz). And people can spot inauthenticity from a mile away.
Now, let me throw another wrench into the works.
Did you know that there are a lot of churches today reaching thousands and thousands of new people, not by being contemporary (buzzz), but rather, by returning to traditional worship? Some are even going back to ancient (buzzz) forms of worship. I’ve even seen some where the feel is like you stepped back into the middle ages.
Far from contemporary (buzzz).
But very relevant (buzzz).
Very authentic (buzzz).
How can that be?
Simple, they know their target (buzzz). They understand who they are trying to reach and that being contemporary (buzzz) is not necessarily relevant (buzzz).
Its an important lesson to learn of you really want to see your church reach the culture.
That’s why at Southbrook we could care less about being contemporary (buzzz).
But we care very much about being relevant (buzzz).
Oh, one more thing.
I read my buddy’s post from the other day and was greatly encouraged about a freedom I have been experiencing over the last year.
I’m talking about the freedom to go after the unchurched, dechurched, confused, disenfranchised, hurting, seeking, hellbound, lost person with everything I’ve got!
You say, What’s the big deal about that Pastor Rob? I mean you’ve been going after those folks as long as we’ve known you?