More On Beards

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

wasn't that what Paul was striving for when he wrote 1 Corinthians 9:19?

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

A soul winner will find a common ground to start from to build a relationship, like Paul mentioning the unknown God in Athens. but he used it as a tool to preach the gospel without actually coming down to their level. That is how I think of it anyway.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Personally, I'd rather be "relevant".

Originally Posted by Aquila

What exactly is it about being "relevant" that you disagree with? We might agree on most things. I've never had it broken down for me.

There's a quote I like: “We need to stop worrying about being culturally relevant and start being contextually real.”

What is relevant. Well, you posted the definition. Here's what stuck out to me: "closely connected" "related" "linked".

My question is why are we wanting to be "closely connected" "related" or "linked" to the world?

This isn't about Grandpa hyperventilating over air conditioning. This isn't pews vs chairs.

To me relevance is about becoming Christian-lite. It's basically another way of saying "seeker friendly."

The statistics prove the focus on being relevant is neither working nor really what people (including millennials) actually want.

They don't want the fog and lights. They don't want the skinny-jean wearing worship leader or pastor with a bushy beard, ripped jeans and t-shirt, barefoot, sitting on a stool talking about social justice. They don't care if church has a Starbucks or Higher Grounds, He Brews, Common Grounds, What Would Jesus Drink, etc. They don't care about the HD screens or the band or anything else.

They want something real. And relevance isn't real. People can see right through the fake. They know if you're real or not.

Stop trying to become closely connected to the world, stick to the Word and God will bring the increase.

[TakingDominion]

I prefer this definition of relevant

appropriate to the current time, period, or circumstances; of contemporary interest.

I agree 100% with your post. The example I use in my argument is this; you can't reach this generation using the newspaper. You've got to go where they are! Where are the highways and byways in 2017?

How will they see that we're real, if they don't know who we are?

How will they find us if we're not communicating on the mediums they use?

Please understand, I'm not advocating for the Apostolic church to look like CC1s' church (sorry CC). I'm just asking for us to be open to innovation. Move into the 21st century. Embrace technology to a degree, and use it to spread the Gospel!

Quit fighting about pews vs chairs. Let's win the lost!

I've given my 2 cents, and I hope I did it with the right spirit and attitude. God bless.

-that by all means I might save some.

[Amanah]

I thought we were embracing technology, we are on facebook, twitter, streaming services, what other technology do we need?

everyone is hooked up to technology, what we are missing is relationship and community.

[TakingDominion]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I thought we were embracing technology, we are on facebook, twitter, streaming services, what other technology do we need?

everyone is hooked up to technology, what we are missing is relationship and community.

Unfortunately, in my local church and in most conservative apostolic churches I visit, that is not the case.

[n david]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

Unfortunately, in my local church and in most conservative apostolic churches I visit, that is not the case.

I can understand your point with regards to our very conservative brethren in the WPF and other GIBs.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

Unfortunately, in my local church and in most conservative apostolic churches I visit, that is not the case.

I think one of the most exciting things we do is family fun night, one Sunday night a month we invite friends for family, food, fun, and games, and we have a good time together.

[n david]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

I prefer this definition of relevant

appropriate to the current time, period, or circumstances; of contemporary interest.

I agree 100% with your post. The example I use in my argument is this; you can't reach this generation using the newspaper. You've got to go where they are! Where are the highways and byways in 2017?

How will they see that we're real, if they don't know who we are?

How will they find us if we're not communicating on the mediums they use?

Please understand, I'm not advocating for the Apostolic church to look like CC1s' church (sorry CC). I'm just asking for us to be open to innovation. Move into the 21st century. Embrace technology to a degree, and use it to spread the Gospel!

Quit fighting about pews vs chairs. Let's win the lost!

I've given my 2 cents, and I hope I did it with the right spirit and attitude. God bless.

-that by all means I might save some.

You did good! I see where you're coming from.

Typically when I read/hear "relevant" it's something else. But I understand and can even agree with your post.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I think one of the most exciting things we do is family fun night, one Sunday night a month we invite friends for family, food, fun, and games, and we have a good time together.

I follow an awesome church I visited years ago in another state, and I've seen a few times an invitation posted on FB for a "shareable snack Bible study," or a "soup and salad Bible study" where they meet in the fellowship hall, and everyone eats and they have their midweek Bible study.

I think that's awesome.

[TakingDominion]

Originally Posted by n david

You did good! I see where you're coming from.

Typically when I read/hear "relevant" it's something else. But I understand and can even agree with your post.

Thank you. I love the idea of food and fellowship. It never fails, our biggest visitor Sunday's usually involve food.