Over at Together for the Gospel Mark Dever recently wrote a post on faithfulness and relevance in ministry.  This is a difficult balance as we “seek to be all things to all men,” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22) while at the same time seeking to “guard what has been entrusted” to us (1 Timothy 6:20, see also 2 Timothy 3:14-4:4).  Dever’s observations and statements are helpful and thought-provoking. 

I think the most basic practical division among evangelical pastors today may be between those who pursue faithfulness and assume relevance and those who pursue relevance and assume faithfulness.

I  know I have found the above statement to be quite true in my expierence.

The middle of the spectrum is where each of us intends to be–the right balance, the perfect combination of utter faithfulness to the Gospel and piercing relevance in its presentation. 

and finally…

I remember taking a walk with Don Carson once, and Don remarking something to the effect that the first generation has the Gospel, the second generation assumes the Gospel, the third generation loses the Gospel.  I am concerned that too many people who have the Gospel are lazy with it, compassionless, and not sufficiently motivated to spread it.  I fear that this is me.  Pray for me and Capitol Hill Baptist Church in this.  On the other hand, there are those who in the name of evangelism, simply assume that everybody sufficiently understands the Gospel, and will alter everything to make the non-Christian feel more at home in their public services.  (WHO EVER SAID THAT MOST OF THE CHURCH’S EVANGELISM SHOULD BE DONE THROUGH OUR PUBLIC SERVICES?!)  They give themselves to pursue relevance thinking that THAT is their major challenge, assuming that holding on to the Gospel itself is comparatively easy.

Consider what you and I will do to the Gospel message in our churches if we continue to change the “presentation” of the Gospel until we begin to get a response.

Pursue faithfulness and relevance.  Know that the Gospel is always relevant.  NEVER assume the Gospel.

By God’s grace may we follow this exhortation both as a church and as individuals.  Feel free to share thoughts on how these two issues are practically balanced and brought to work together for God’s glory.

This entry was posted by Tim Pickard on Monday, June 19th, 2006 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Church Philosophy, Main. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.