These days are that of radical social development. Everyone barely has time to adapt to these changes, yet alone interpret them. The most prevalent struggle I have seen is that of staying relevant. How are we to make ourselves, our causes, our worlds of current interest? There is no magic formula. Those who say "evolve or become extinct" would be correct, but with special exceptions to resurgent human patterns and those objects deemed "timeless".
It is a learned discipline to constantly subject oneself to change. A solution comes about with the solute and the solvent- you need the component to dissolve and the liquid to absorb and distribute. The solute becomes fossilized alone, and the solvent is lifeless without substance. Just like any answer for difficult questions, the key is in balance. We must constantly be looking for, catigorizing, and absorbing change.
Anticipate the change. Look at where society is moving, and make an estimation as to where you should administer change for best impact. Look at who is innovative. Look at who changes first. Look who stays relevant.
Change for the better. We all have a chance to impact the world we live in, and do something amazing.
What world do you live in?
Now I'm going to address the church. Churches have been using shocking statements to elicit curiosity from the world and bring it into their community. Often times, these statements aren't original- they take relevant worldly topics or ideas out of context and apply them to their messages. Then, their messages are in the wrong language.
I have issues with all of this. First of all, taking ideas implies credit due for the originator. Taking ideas isn't innovative. Taking ideas/topics out of context causes cognitive dissonance with the audience- christian and non-christian. And not the type of dissonance that provides concrete analysis, its the type that leads to disbelief. Then, the messages themselves don't have the right words. They have a heavily christian based jargon that don't pertain or penetrate the non-christian world, therefore losing meaning and human connection. How is someone supposed to be reached with terms like "secular, nonbeliever, devos, quiet-time, walk with the lord, works" and so on? (Every word needs to be infused with contextual and timely meaning.) Use words that will mean something to people, and provide meaning for their life.
The final one: church is putting the world in their church instead of putting the church in thier world. There is a world begging for impact, but where is the church?- Waiting for innovation from the outside world, inside their closed communities- with doors disguised to look nonholy. Are christian musicians going into the world or just other churches? Are christians innovating new technology and ideas to help mankind or to argue their philosophical points? Are we educating our children how to stay relevant in a competetive and changing world, or are we teaching them how to stagnate and become extinct. Are we doing things with purity and excellence, or are we doing things with cheep flare and dishonesty.
I want a relevant church. One that infuses meaning in every word used, on that is balanced in its change, one that changes the world, and does so with innovation and integrity.
