The two sides of cultural relevance!
What brands do you absolutely love and appreciate...maybe its Cold stone, Starbucks (my wife's favorite), Dunkin Donuts Coffee, or maybe its that local shop or product that you can't get anywhere else that just gives you that warm fuzzy feeling. At Crossroads one of our core values is "The church must be culturally relevant and biblically accurate," and for us its imperative that we continue to be hip, cool, relevant or whatever you want to call it but at the same time maintain our authenticity. So is it possible...YES!
I believe there are two sides of being culturally relevant...first side, when you have a multi-site church and you are located in different communities or even states there are going to be some cultural differences that you will have to address (community needs, outreach, etc.) The other side of cultural relevance is the idea of your target audience. A church must know who they are targeting in order to be relevant to that audience. (Sid Note...rural vs. urban in the area of target audience is another discussion)
What's real are the experiences and the connections people have with the brand - if the brand give us a chance. A multi-site church will have to evaluate its values at each location and make sure they are being implemented. The essence and authenticity of your Church is Christ and secondly, how you execute your values. Without Christ none of what we do will ever work.
When we allow our leadership, our congregation, and ourselves to hear from God amazing things will happen. A churches dependency must be on God and not its gimmicks, creativity, or anything else. When a church goes multi-site it is re-creating its brand (core values) at other locations but its authenticity is not only in how we execute those values but its about Christ! That's right, He is the main part of our authenticity.
2 Ch 7:14(NIV) If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
We need to continue to relate to people and their circumstances in life just as Christ did. If we begin to create an experience that isn't Christ centered or Christ inspired, we will have none of the rich truths that make for a truly authentic church.
My final thought and opinion...Every Church has it's own unique style and approach to reaching people which sets it a part but it's authenticity comes from it's faith in Christ and the core values they live out! You can be hip, cool or even relevant as long as Christ is the center of all you do!
Agree that christ must be the center of ur life & family...........
Posted by: Ur worst nightmare | May 08, 2008 at 11:31 PM