How can the church become more relevant and practical?
Scripture reading: Romans 13:1-7. Text: “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:7.
Last week we raised the question: Should a pastor preach about unpopular and sensitive topics? Now we wish to consider another question: Can the church become helpful and practical in our daily life? It is assumed and often expressed by many that nowadays God, faith and religion are NOT RELEVANT. This position is taken because many believe spiritual matters are not helping us face the challenges we meet in the world. Often people do not feel the need to experience the benefits of joining a church, attending worship services or even offering prayers. Obviously, this issue is not simple; it has many roots that have slowly developed over decades.
We wish to see only one of the issues that has contributed to the present situation in the hope that God’s word will clear our vision and strengthen our faith.
LOVE, UNDERSTANDING, COMPASSION, FRIENDSHIP . . .
One of the words that denotes IRRELEVANCE is REMOTE; that is being removed, distant, detached or too far away. God is in heaven and heaven is millions of miles away “somewhere above.” At times it seems the church is dealing with spiritual matters only and it neglects the everyday problems, and the faithfuls do not hear in the sermons practical solutions to their daily tasks or personal dilemmas.
As in everything, there might be some truth in this criticism. It would be wonderful if pastors could offer excellent ideas as to how best to take care of such hardships as unemployment, divorce, crime or misunderstanding in the family. If the church accepts the blame for being unable to help as expected, then the critics ask us, “Who has the remedy for all our social, financial and moral illnesses? Who can make people happy, friendly, satisfied, peaceful and cooperative?”
The story of the Good Samaritan is the best example of how to be relevant. Please read Luke 10:25-37 and learn why it is important:
– to notice the wounded, mistreated, neglected, and the victim of injustice,
– to interrupt the journey, the usual schedule, the business and comfort,
– to be willing to descend, bend over, reach down to the low level of misery, and
– to be able to make sacrifices and take risks.
In short, religion will become RELEVANT when people feel that God is speaking in their language, the church is close to them and can offer good advice, no request for help is refused and the pastor is a “holy person” as well as a good buddy.
RESPECT, HONOR, ESTEEM, REVERENCE . . .
When we expect CLOSENESS, in contrast to being REMOTE, we should not forget that there is the other side of the story too. It is true that Christ considered himself as a FRIEND to the disciples, please read John 15:13-15, but it is also true that He presented Himself as a SHEPHERD: “‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.'” John 10:11.
The shepherd was the trusted leader of the flock. The shepherd either went in front of the flock to lead the sheep, or he followed them to oversee that none of them was hurt or lost. In either case, going ahead or behind them, there was a certain distance between him and those for whom he cared.
Respect, honor, esteem and reverence require certain “distance” or “being different” which is the basis for a person so people will look up to him or her and follow him or her because he or she is somewhat MORE or DIFFERENT than the others are. Will a child look up to his/her parents if they are not “more” than other kids? Or will a student learn from a teacher if he/she does not know more than the members of the class?
Why do you think God had instructed Israel in this way? “I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44/a. Does not God’s holiness elevate him above us?
To be “RELEVANT” means to satisfy seemingly two contradictory requirements — to be CLOSE or to be the SAME and to be AHEAD or ABOVE or to be DIFFERENT. Apostle Paul was correct when he spelled out that Christ became like us (SAME) so we can become like him (DIFFERENT): “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.