Five Ways to Be Irrelevant
by Mark Batterson
1. Stay close to home. Don’t venture too far from your home and church. For fear of being influenced by the strange habits of non-Christians, stay within the safe, known company of those who think like you. By doing this, you’re guaranteed to never set a Christian example among the estimated 175 million American unbelievers. Moreover, unbelievers will not be able to teach you anything about their struggles and challenges with their personal faith and beliefs—or lack thereof.
2. Read only Christian material. Because other books and magazines may address controversial, challenging topics, stick with only the Bible and Christian classics. This ensures a limited perspective on the world and culture. Steer clear of books like The New York Times Bestseller The Language of God by Francis S. Collins (Free Press), which argues that faith in God and faith in science can co-exist.
3. Consider technology as something only for the youngsters. Don’t worry about new technology—blogging, podcasting, etc. After all, there are only 73 million Americans under the age of 18 who are more familiar with Web sites than books, and more accustomed to iPods than VCRs. By refusing to learn about new technology and how it can be used for more effective means of outreach, you can make sure that you or your church won’t be of any interest to today’s younger generations.
4. Don’t use modern-day examples. When you preach, open with corny jokes and use only dated stories to illustrate Bible lessons. Your unchurched or dechurched visitors will have a tough time understanding and relating. If you use the Bible, but then choose to also share secular examples from current movies or songs that many people are familiar with, they might better understand God’s message and its applicability in their lives.
5. Don’t make relevancy a goal. As you and your church leaders set goals, don’t prioritize relevancy. By doing this, you’ll be sure to follow steps 1 through 4.
This excerpt is a quote from Mark Batterson’s article, "Got Street Smarts?" which appeared in Outreach Magazine (Nov/Dec 2006) and also in Outreach & Evangelism Today. HT to manna? for posting the five points. Other parts of the article appear at Batterson's blog.
by Mark Batterson
1. Stay close to home. Don’t venture too far from your home and church. For fear of being influenced by the strange habits of non-Christians, stay within the safe, known company of those who think like you. By doing this, you’re guaranteed to never set a Christian example among the estimated 175 million American unbelievers. Moreover, unbelievers will not be able to teach you anything about their struggles and challenges with their personal faith and beliefs—or lack thereof.
2. Read only Christian material. Because other books and magazines may address controversial, challenging topics, stick with only the Bible and Christian classics. This ensures a limited perspective on the world and culture. Steer clear of books like The New York Times Bestseller The Language of God by Francis S. Collins (Free Press), which argues that faith in God and faith in science can co-exist.
3. Consider technology as something only for the youngsters. Don’t worry about new technology—blogging, podcasting, etc. After all, there are only 73 million Americans under the age of 18 who are more familiar with Web sites than books, and more accustomed to iPods than VCRs. By refusing to learn about new technology and how it can be used for more effective means of outreach, you can make sure that you or your church won’t be of any interest to today’s younger generations.
4. Don’t use modern-day examples. When you preach, open with corny jokes and use only dated stories to illustrate Bible lessons. Your unchurched or dechurched visitors will have a tough time understanding and relating. If you use the Bible, but then choose to also share secular examples from current movies or songs that many people are familiar with, they might better understand God’s message and its applicability in their lives.
5. Don’t make relevancy a goal. As you and your church leaders set goals, don’t prioritize relevancy. By doing this, you’ll be sure to follow steps 1 through 4.
This excerpt is a quote from Mark Batterson’s article, "Got Street Smarts?" which appeared in Outreach Magazine (Nov/Dec 2006) and also in Outreach & Evangelism Today. HT to manna? for posting the five points. Other parts of the article appear at Batterson's blog.
About Author Mark Batterson
"Mark Batterson the lead pastor of a hugely popular church in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. But his isn't a typical church, because he doesn't actually have a church building or traditional services or all the trappings of religious devotion. Instead Batterson started with an understanding of the people he wanted to reach—thousands of twentysomethings who had largely ignored other churches in the area.National Community Church (also known as TheaterChurch.com), conducts five services per week in three nontraditional locations because Batterson learned that a church building can be an obstacle to many young people. So he does church in theaters and has built [Ebenezer's] the largest coffee house in the Washington, D.C. area. And because most of his 'customers' don't drive, the locations are all near subway stops."
Technology & Outreach
"What distinguishes National Community Church is Batterson’s approach of embracing technology and Web marketing and applying it to church. The TheaterChurch.com site includes a content-rich Web site, podcasts of the weekly services, a motivational Webcast series, video, an e-mail newsletter, and Batterson’s extremely popular Evotional blog."
Word of Mouse Preaching
'With one click of the mouse, I preach that many sermons with my podcast—that’s word of mouse. It is about leveraging the unique vehicles on the Web. The message has not changed, but the medium has changed. We need to continually find new vehicles to get the messages out.'"
Excerpts above are quoted from David Meerman Scott’s marketing blog WebInkNow. Scott says he is not a believer. But he recognizes that Batterson is doing something right:
"Batterson's focus on the Web site, podcasts, and online video (as well as video at the services) means that National Community Church staff members have some
unique job titles, including 'media pastor,' 'digital pastor,' and 'buzz coordinator.' COOL!"
Do you listen to sermon podcasts? Do you visit preacher’s blogs?
13 Comments:
Some of our teens listen to the podcasts from our (now former) Youth Pastor. We are hoping the new Youth Pastor we end up hiring will do the same.
And Yes...I go to my Pastor's blog every couple of weeks...he doesn't post often but when he does...it is awesome! Just like his preaching!
I don't know this pastor, but I think his methods are great as long as he doesn't forsake Truth for grace and relevancy.
I do listen to Christian podcasts - lots of them.
bah my comment didn't work.. anyhow, yesi listen to pod casts. not often b/c the kids are usually busy, but we listen to a lot of online christian radio in general; just nicer to the ears and there is no local station.
our church posts online sermons that you can listen to if you missed sundays. i really appreciate that!
I once heard a saying, "Be careful how you live, you may be the ONLY Bible some people ever read."
This preacher's ideas sound great! My new life motto is to do things the way JESUS did (and does). We don't have to be confined to a building to worship GOD. As long as our idea of "reaching out" doesn't stray away from what the Bible teaches. There are so many ways to reach people where they are... it's sad that "religious people" can have such one track minds. As I say that, AGAIN, I think as long as what we're doing lines up with the word of GOD then it doesn't have to be "doctrinal."
Thanks so much for another thought provoking post!
As for making the graphics.. I used picnik.com it's FREE and REALLY easy to use! ;-)
Thanks for visiting my site.
I enjoy your blog.
My Dad lived in Canada before going to China as a missionary. (He met my Mom, a fellow missionary, in China).
God bless. Ruthie
Faith: That's great!
Jennifer: And great for you too! Re the Truth: Agreed.
Amydeanne: Very cool.
Tonya: We don't have to be confined to a building to worship GOD. Evidently, this D.C. pastor agrees with you. :~D
Ruthie: It's a small world, after all... :~D So nice to meet you.
I have listened to my pastors messages that I missed, or I wanted to listen to again, and I have listened to Ravi Zacharias, but not too much, I am busy as it is. I don't know how some people can do so much!!!! I just found Chonda Pierce, she is new to me. What fun, and great how she can share her heart so effectively.
Yes I visit them often when I have time. I love listening to sermons on sites or radio but only when I have the time.
much love,
Ang
No, my hubby does though. I just don't get much ipod 'me time', lol!
I echo Jennifer's words it sounds great 'as long as he doesn't forsake Truth for grace and relevancy'.
I learn so much about the world of Christianity from you!
~Blessings
GREAT post!
Connie Marie: Funny, I've just started reading Ravi Zacharias. So he's available on tape? Wow, he's a moving writer. He would be powerful orally too.
Angela: Right, we really need a 36 hour day, don't we?
Linnet's Nest: (Neat name!) Amen. It's nice to hear you learn a thing or two over here.
Mrs. Brownstone: Thank you so much!
Hey, that was a great list! I had to laugh when I was reading number one. I didn't realise straightaway he was being ironic so I was rolling my eyes.
I seem to remember that Jesus did not shut himself into a closed community in order to avoid exposure to people who didn't think exactly like he did.
Buffy: You're so right. Jesus was noted for breaking all the social barriers. If we could only be like him a little more... :~D
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