Relevance.
Our generation is searching for it, and younger church leaders are trying to give it to us. They do so by dressing hipper and drinking beer and dropping a few cuss words here and there. This is how they “reach” a “hurting” and “dechurched” world.
Of course, there are those who believe that we do not need to add hipster glasses and skinny jeans to the Bible in order to make it relevant. However, hipsters all across the world apathetically disagree.
It’s a constant battle and I have no desire to engage in battles today. I do, however, desire to hook you up with a gift!
I want to give you a one-year subscription to RELEVANT Magazine! RELEVANT publishes a fun magazine with great articles and interviews, and they give away a lot of awesome music to their subscribers (honestly, my favorite part of being a subscriber).
If you’d like to win the free subscription, just follow the steps in the Rafflecopter form below:
I’ll announce the winner on Wednesday!
I think there has to be a balance for sure. We want to change the world not be changed by it. That said as long as we share the truth and not water it down, I think it is all good. My Dad, who is very old school, thinks the modern church is about entertaining people and that’s what brings them in. I disagree, I think what brings and will continue to bring folks in is to engage them. The problem the church has gotten caught up with the wrong things and are in danger of becoming modern version of the pharisees, we are dis-engaging more and more.
Off my soap box now.
Thanks for your thoughts, Barry!
I think no matter what our “style of worship” is, we all have to be careful that we don’t turn into a “modern version of the pharisees” as you said. It’s easy to get into the mindset that your church does it the best and therefore the right way.
I totally get where you dad is coming from in regards to entertainment. When my wife and I first visited our church, I had the same reservations. I thought it’d be an awesome concert with little substance. I was pleasantly surprised, though. I won’t lie – we do have a good time at my church. But we’re also trying to teach. You’re not there just to hear some great music and have a few laughs; we’ve got something we want you to chew on throughout the week.
But, like I said, our church – like every church – needs to be careful. We’re all in it together. We’re just one piece of the puzzle.
Oh man, that kinda describes me… dag! lol
You have better tattoos. :)
Oh, what a terrible reason to get a tattoo!
Also, I think being changed by the world is a good thing. Just need to be cautious about the changes!
Agreed!
Thanks for sharing!
You make me #$£*##< want a tattoo – I think a "cussed up" version of John 3:16 would be a great conversation starter!
Ha ha! It would! I’ll let you go first. :)
What I find ironically hilarious about this strip today and the article you posted from CP about the Richard Dawkins one, is that in the comments on CP of course a rousing debate of Atheism v. Christianity abounded… while one guy apparently took issue with your use of the word “crap” in your blog post, LOL.
I know! He referred to me as a “so-called Christian artist” because of it!
People are fascinating.
This makes me think even harder about getting my first tattoo, LOL. Or even harder about who I would let possibly ruin my body. Nice one, Wes!
Thanks, Gabe!
Probably my favorite Insert IMG so far. I think people who embrace cussing because it’s “relevant” are just as silly as the ones who act like their ears are bleeding every time they hear one.
Dude, I agree with you 100%. Love your comparison.
Love the comic today. Hubby said he was thinking of getting the same tattoo. Lol.
I’ll pay him $5 if he gets that same tattoo. For reals.
Niceness! I don’t know too many people like this because there’s so much criticism towards hypocrisy these days, but I totally get what you’re saying.
Thanks, Mikale!
I’m kinda in the right and wrong way to do this camp.
When you do these things to solely to “engage” you are faking who you are essentially. And you know what? Nobody likes a fake person. And they know it, sense it, feel it. They may “appreciate the effort” but that’s as far as it will ever go.
Better to be real with who you are, then to put up a fake front, or else all we are really promising is that “Jesus will change your life, but don’t worry you can fake being someone else.”
Good thoughts, man. Thanks for sharing.
Love it.
I am so thankful that Father has allowed us to have different personalities and viewpoints on periphery issues. While I embrace my stance, I do not cast stones at a believer who may not have my exact blueprint.
Spot on!
Amen!
This comic alone might be enough to keep me from getting a tattoo. My wife will be very happy.
You’re welcome, Cassidy!
Just yesterday my pastor was talking about 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 and how it’s often misinterpreted to mean that we should become just like the people we’re trying to reach. He pointed out that going too far – trying to pass ourselves off as something we’re really not – is both obvious and ineffective.
Agreed. People will see right through it.
God’s love and grace are always relevant. And I really hope skinny jeans die.
They keep hanging on, bro. They keep hanging on.
You know how there are Christian groups that like to repurpose popular sayings and fads? I think YOLO has to be on the list.
Repurposed “YOLO” meaning? “You’re Our Lord, Obvs”
Book it. Done.
Obvs!
So you are saying I should get rid of my skinny-jeanz bible cover with built in hipster-glassez magnifier?
Only if you’re doing it to “engage the culture”. If you actually enjoy your skinny jeanz Bible cover with hipster glasses magnifiers, then have at it, my friend. :)
Whew. I hated those things
I don’t have any tattoos , but if I did I wouldn’t “trust ” someone’s artistic vision on my backside ..for LIFE ! Good comic Wes : )
Thanks, Nikki!
“Slow your roll”
Classic.
Made me laugh.
I also really liked the nonchalance of “Also, I drink beer now.” In my church, the appropriate beverage would be Scotch.
I didn’t get my tattoo to be relevant. I got it because I wanted one.
Does your tat say “YOLO”?
No YOLO.
It’s a Celtic Cross with a banner containing the words “Creideamh” “Dochas” & “Gra”, which are Irish for Faith, Hope, & Love.
Celtic Crosses are awesome. Well played, sir.
I’ll be especially relevant now. My wife won the subscription.
That’s awesome! Enjoy!
Love Insert Image and Love relevant!
Thanks, Joe!
Yes… this is why I started swearing… for the kids…
It’s why *I* do it.
There is a Seinfeld episode (it ran last evening) where George is trying to fit in at work with the Yankee organization and later finds himself with a group of guys at a restaurant who swore every time they said something. This post reminded me of that.
That’s one of my favorite episodes, and you’re right – that’s very similar to what I’m talking about in this comic!
If I didn’t wear my hipster glasses, i could not see. Damn it.
Marty, you make me smile. :)
There’s another Marty who comments here? Awesome!