I’ve asked myself this question many times over the last 10 years.
For most of my memorable life, I have grown up as a pastor’s kid. I’ve seen the good, bad and the ugly when it comes to the church. I’ve seen church people fight over the proverbial “carpet color choice” and then I’ve seen those same people be the hands and feet of Christ to those broken around them.
What I have learned over my lifetime in the church is that God doesn’t need rituals, programs, sermons or revivals to accomplish His plan… For that much, He doesn’t even need perfect people. All He needs is someone willing to say yes in faith. Someone willing to say “yes” to love, grace, and forgiveness.
So, when I think about the question, “Is the Church still relevant?” the only answer I can make sense of is, well… No.
Let me explain.
The People Are Relevant
No, the church is not relevant in the sense of the rituals and routines but the people who make up the church are very, very much relevant. They are your neighbors and your friends, and they are just as broken as anyone else.
The only thing that makes them any different is they accept the grace God offers to us all for our brokenness. They aren’t any more perfect, they are not sinless and they are not spotless people. They just accept the gift of grace through Christ… Something they didn’t earn or deserve. Just because they call themselves Christian doesn’t mean God loves them any more than anyone else.
Christ’s Message Is Relevant
I believe the institution of church is not relevant in today’s world but to the core of me, I believe Christ’s message is relevant, more than ever. And, it just so happens that message is still alive and active through His church; institution or not. This message of love, grace and forgiveness often get lost in the church because the church thinks they have to appear as the spotless bride of Christ rather than being made into that spotless bride.
Now, I’m not saying we all need to abandon the institution of church and run to the hills of home church freedom. It might surprise you but I still see a lot of hope in the institution of church simply because I see God’s heart in the people who make it up.
Chip-By-Chip
Sure, they fight over silly stuff at times and can be a bit awkward but while the institution is a man-made structure and system; the people who are a part of it carry the grace of a loving God and His message of hope, love, and forgiveness. They aren’t always perfect at showing that love and forgiveness but it’s there widdling away at their brokenness slowly chip-by-chip making us more like Christ.
This message of love, grace and forgiveness often get lost in the church because the church thinks they have to appear as the spotless bride of Christ rather than being made into that spotless bride.
Grace Is Relevant
But, grace is relevant.
Mercy, forgiveness, and love are all relevant to our lives.
So, while the institution, with all it’s programs and rituals, is not seen as relevant in the culture today; the message of love, grace, and forgiveness through Christ are the most impactful and relevant news in this world.
The gospel is relevant and it is our job, as Christ followers, to share that message through our actions to others. Scripture tells us we will be known by our love. The people I remember the most throughout my life are the ones who I felt loved by the most. Love has a way of breaking down barriers that would have us believe could never be broken.
It just so happens, the church has been tasked with sharing the message of love from the source of love Himself.
That is relevant.
That is what the world needs to see.
