Relevancy

Understanding why a life of faith matters

It’s possible the central challenge for organized religion in North America today is relevance. If people don’t know what problem the church and a life of faith solve in their lives, then neither will be relevant. A church that is perceived as irrelevant will be limited in influence when it comes to growing stewards and disciples.

Why are we doing all this church stuff and paying attention to Jesus in the first place? How do we more clearly articulate why a life of faith matters and what benefits might come from participating in a congregation? Jesus was pretty clear when he said that a person could live life in a way that is merely going through the motions or could live life abundantly and know the life that truly is life. Jesus invites everyone to participate in a salvation that is about more meaningful, holistic, connected, love-filled, wisdom-driven lives that in turn make the world a better place.

For a deeper dive on this topic, see this Currents in Theology and Mission article: Transformational Stewardship: Should We Expect a Net Benefit From Following Jesus?

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Master Narratives

How We Frame Faith Makes All the Difference in the World

Foundational to the issue of relevancy is the world view, master narrative, or “big history” that we use to make sense of our existence. When we lament that people are behaving as consumers instead of disciples, perhaps the reason is as simple as people regarding the modern world view of science, rationalism, markets, and humanism as having a higher probability of delivering salvation than the traditional world view offered by the church.

God’s story is the most crucial master narrative we need to know for navigating life. We need to keep reimagining God’s story: what we have learned since Jesus and Martin Luther, and even in the last one hundred years, has to make a difference in how we imagine God’s story. Said another way, our theology needs to keep integrating truths revealed to us through science and social science; otherwise, our master narrative will not be competitive in our world or relevant to those we are trying to reach.

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Substance

Being remarkable not just in theory but in practice

Troubled by Christian evangelistic practices in India, Gandhi referred to the “evangelism of the rose.” Gandhi said that a rose doesn’t have to preach; it just spreads its fragrance, and people can respond as they will.

How might we be more tuned in to the fragrance that our congregations and adherents emit, and the substance behind the scent? How might our concerns for orthodoxy and right beliefs be means to right practices, lest we behave as clanging cymbals and noisy gongs without love? What kind of relational leadership does it take to create thriving, vital cultures of hospitality that model love, concern, and generosity? How might impact and transformation be the discernible perfume of our work?

Pastor Carey Nieuwhof has this to say in his book Lasting Impact: 7 Powerful Conversations That Will Help Your Church Grow:

“The trap most leaders fall into is believing that a change in form will be an adequate substitute for a change in substance. But a change in form never makes up for a change in substance. Substantive change is the only thing that will truly change the trajectory of most churches and organizations.”

Bishop Gronberg:

Juneteenth Remembrance

(https://www.ntnl.org/juneteenth-remembrance/ – published Jun. 19)

June Storms bring Damage to NT-NL Congregations

(https://www.ntnl.org/june-storms-bring-damage-to-ntnl-congregations/ – published Jun. 20)

Immigration Fears and Addressing Concerns: Call to Listening and Learning

(https://www.ntnl.org/immigration-fears-and-addressing-concerns-call-to-listening-and-learning/ – published Jun. 22)

Pastor Totzke:

Walnut Hill Lutheran in Farmers Branch

(https://www.ntnl.org/walnut-hill-lutheran-in-farmers-branch/ – published Jun. 23)

First Sagrada Familia in Garland

(https://www.ntnl.org/first-sagrada-familia-in-garland/ – published Jun. 23)

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Where in the world is?

Bishop Gronberg:

• (No visits planned for this week)

Pastor Totzke:

• Jun. 30: Our Savior’s (Norse), Clifton

Pastora Bañales:

• Jun. 24-26: Personal Days
• Jun. 27: New Start Team Ministry Review: Church of the Damascus Road
• Jun. 28-29: Latino Women’s Retreat, Chicago, IL
• Jun. 30: Lord of Life, Glenn Heights