Comments on: Cultural Relevance

By: PJ

PJ — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:25:56 +0000

good stuff- I think many of us in main stream Christianity are more defensive than we are liberated (Gal 5:1) in the real deal- a relationship that lives and breathes Jesus in, to and through us. If anything, cultural relevance necessitates a fresh approach that gets beyond 4 or 5 step programs that can bypass the process and relational aspect of evangelism that leads to salvation in cooperation with His Spirit.

By: WHO sent you here? « little BIG Voice

WHO sent you here? « little BIG Voice — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:45:44 +0000

[...] I had a unique thought the other morning. It was spurred by a post Craig Groeschel wrote about cultural relevance. It’s a good post, and at the end he asked a series of questions. The last one [...]

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:52:08 +0000

Cindy, that was beautiful. Thank you for the “back-talk”.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:34:37 +0000

Hey Craig,
just dropping a line to say I’m loving your blog - keep up the great work mate.

Tim

Sydney, Australia

By: Tom E. Snyder

Tom E. Snyder — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:24:39 +0000

Great distinction, Lynn.

By: Lynn Malone

Lynn Malone — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:59:57 +0000

And don’t we walk a fine line between cultural relevance and cultural integration? By integration, I mean adopting the culture as our own, and the adapting our core values to reflect the culture. To be culturally relevant is to be “in the world,” but to culturally integrated is to be “of the world.” Just a random thought, but would be interested in your thoughts.

By: Lynn Malone

Lynn Malone — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:56:04 +0000

So, Craig? What is the last movie you saw? And, what were the last three books you read? Just curious.

By: Cultural Relevance « I Am Not But I Know ‘I AM’

Cultural Relevance « I Am Not But I Know ‘I AM’ — Sun, 24 May 2009 02:46:28 +0000

[...] An interesting blogpost from LifeChurch.tv by Craig [...]

By: willoh

willoh — Sun, 24 May 2009 00:04:09 +0000

Is it saying something about me, that while these questions are really good I would rather answer, “Who has the Holy Spirit brought to salvation using you?” Instead of ‘Tell us about the last person you personally led to Christ.’ Does this desire to edit the question mark me as a Hyper something or other? I’m really asking, no offence meant.

By: Mary Cooke

Mary Cooke — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:24:17 +0000

I think Jesus demonstrated his take on “relevance” vs. being “in the world and not of it” when He took His meals with the sinners, tax collectors, lepers, and Samaritans. He reached out to any and all who were disenfranchised from “acceptable” society. Should we do any less? I’m not advocating participating in sin in order to reach the sinner; Jesus never did this. But to “become all things to all men” means partaking in a freedom from condemnation that allows others to feel accepted when they are around you. Blessings, Mary

By: Clay Pot

Clay Pot — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:41:29 +0000

Culturally relevant is a term that seems difficult at best. These days being CR means that you hang out at Starbucks, read Driscoll, McManus and Piper, enjoy the latest techy gadgets and live in some trendy, perpetual affluent state of youth.

I’m not saying that’s what you guys are after or that it’s wrong. But I see a lot of guys leave seminary headed for pastorates with a fixation on a wrong notion of what it will mean to be culturally relevant. To be CR where I went to high school would mean drinking your coffee at home, throwing hay with the guys and learning to shoot stuff, clean and eat it while ministering to people who don’t go to movies or know what’s playing on the radio or know what an app is. Instead we try to impose “real culture” on them by being trendy, then criticize them for being backwoods.

I guess what I’m saying is that your questions are good ones, IF that’s your ministry setting. I appreciate this post because it has helped me think through whether I’m being culturally relevant to the people God has called me to. I wonder if too often the gospel we (I) preach doesn’t have the hidden agenda of calling people to adopt our ideas of what real culture is.

By: anthony

anthony — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:29:40 +0000

C-Unit… great post. i have found when i ask someone “do you hate church”, they duck and say… kinda… which brings us to an introduction of Jesus. and his flavor that consumes me.

u got me thinkin…. thx. brah

By: jimmy paravane

jimmy paravane — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:45:15 +0000

Ooh! I know! Have them bring the last person they personally led to Christ to the interview with them! What? Is that asking 2MI? (grin)

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:20:27 +0000

I agree that the words “cultural relevance” can be taken way out of the realm of what some pastors may mean. I havent used it too much. However, we will do everything short of sin to win people to Christ. I just pray that some pastors dont cross the line.

By: Noah

Noah — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:19:10 +0000

Hey Craig,
I just wanted to tell you thanks for the sessions at
Catalyst One Day in Dallas. It was awesome.

It was my first conference, i work with the youth at my church.

Thanks!

By: Andrew Edwards

Andrew Edwards — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:47:13 +0000

I think “cultural relevance” is all about speaking the Truth to a world that doesnt believe in absolutes. The Word of God is applicable to all situations and the life we are called to live as followers of Christ should allow us to do the same. CindyK’s testimony above is proof that when we really live like Jesus commands we can cross any barrier in meeting people’s need and introducing them to Jesus… Be real, live it real, surrender daily to God and watch Him use us for His glory!

By: Michelle George

Michelle George — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:09:09 +0000

Love your work CindyK …you know what i reckon it comes down to? Lack of that Christian “virtue”…judgement. They didn’t judge you. They offered you grace-giving acceptance (to borrow the words of John Burke) when you expected rejection. Such a powerful testimony! Thanks for sharing!

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:32:03 +0000

Cindy, I like the way you connected relevance and love. BTW, if that is back-talking, you can back-talk all you want.

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:29:29 +0000

Mike, These words “cultural relevance” cause me to pause as well. I do think they are still important (although they have taken on a broader meaning to some than what I’m implying.)

You asked, “(Re: movies) - do you look to see if they’re up on all the latest flicks (regardless of how filthy they are), or if there’s some sort of standard they hold themselves to in order to remain pure?

(Re: last person led to Christ) - what if someone is witnessing to hundreds every week, but has never actually led anyone (yet) to Christ?”

On the movies, this question can lead to a lot of other discussions. It is really a lead-in question that can open doors to a lot of understanding about a person.

You also asked about witnessing. If a person has shared their faith with a bunch of people and no one responded positively, I would want to know more as to why not. Their answer might be a good one or they might have a very odd way of sharing Christ.

By: CindyK

CindyK — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:17:59 +0000

Holy crap, I just realized I’m back-talking pastor Craig Groeschel. That’s a big old OOPS! *blush* While my opinion doesn’t change, I just wanted to say that I’m loving the “One Prayer” series that we’re following here at our Church! good stuff! this isn’t butt kissing either!